How to Design a Nursery

When you're designing a nursery, plan ahead before you go all out on your baby's room furnishings. It is important to develop a budget and determine how much you are willing to spend. Make a list of the items you would like incorporated into the nursery design and then assess the space and determine the focal point. Many mums-to-be have a vision of their dream nursery, but their nursery design ideas may not always be the most practical for a new baby. Plan for the room to last through childhood and keep in mind that there must be room for a bed once your child grows out of the cot. Choose furniture that is appropriate for any age and then use accessories to give the room a baby-feel. The longer you can use the furniture, the better the value.

Great Nursery Themes

• Four Seasons- paint each of the four walls to depict a different season: spring flowers and baby animals, summer sun and fun on the beach, fall foliage and a winter wonderland.
• Seascape- Create and underwater landscape filled with brightly coloured fish and anemones, shells and trailing seaweed.
• Jungle Safari- Decorate the walls with lions, tigers and giraffes. Dress up the ceiling so that the room looks like the inside of a tent.
• Park meets the town- Paint one side of the room showing the park with trees and a play area and the other side with shops and buildings. You could even light up the street with fluorescent paints.
• On the Road-Cars and trucks drive down the street with brightly coloured signs pointing the way.
• Noah's Ark- Depict the animals marching two by two onto the ship.
• Crafty Ideas- Magnetised paints will turn any wall into a giant magnet board. Chalk board paint can create a large scale drawing area; combine the two to give your growing child creative space.

Nursery Safety

• Keep curtain and blind cords out of baby's reach from the cot and changing table.
• Place a working smoke detector in or near your child's bedroom.
• Make sure that window guards are securely in place to prevent a child from falling out the window.
• Never place a cot, playpen, or other children's furniture near a window.
• Put plug protectors in unused electrical outlets.
• Make sure your child's toy box doesn't have a heavy, hinged lid that could trap your child.
• Use a cool-air humidifier instead of a vaporizer--to avoid burns. Clean it frequently, and empty it when not in use to prevent bacteria and mold growth.
• Use a safety belt on the changing table.
• Keep baby powder and other supplies out of baby's reach when changing.
• Never leave a child unattended on a changing table.
• Put carpet or a non-skid rug beneath the cot
• Remove bumper pads, toys, pillows, and stuffed animals from the cot by the time baby can pull up to stand.
• Remove all cot gyms, hanging toys, and decorations from the cot by the time baby can get up on his hands and knees.
• Make sure the cot has no elevated corner posts or decorative cut-outs in the end panels.
• Fit the cot mattress snugly, without any gaps, so baby can't slip in between the crack and the cot side.
• Make sure slots on cot are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• Make sure that all screws, bolts, and hardware -- including mattress supports -- are in tight to prevent the cot from collapsing.
• Make sure there are no plastic bags or other plastic material in or around the cot.
• Check the cot for small parts and pieces that baby could choke on.
• Make sure the night-light is not near or touching drapes or a bedspread where it could start a fire.

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