Creating a Versatile Nursery
As a new parent, the excitement of designing your little one’s nursery can be both thrilling and overwhelming. You want to create a space that is not only cozy and functional, but also one that will grow and evolve alongside your child. Achieving this balance can seem like a daunting task, but with a few key considerations, you can design a nursery that will truly stand the test of time.
The DIY Playbook shared some invaluable insights on this very topic. The author, Bridget, emphasized the importance of choosing a neutral color palette as the foundation for the room. “A lot of traditional baby decor is a bright color, or the traditional pink for girls, and blue for boys. But instead of rushing to use these bold color schemes for the entire room, I think it’s important to stick with a neutral base and then add more temporary pops of those other colors.”
This approach allows the nursery to seamlessly transition from the baby stage to a more mature, “grown-up” space as your child matures. Bridget opted for a light greige paint color, the same shade used throughout the rest of her home, noting that it’s “versatile, it matches with just about everything, and it doesn’t scream ‘NURSERY!’”
Avoiding the Themed Nursery Trap
Another key tip from Bridget’s experience is to steer clear of themed nurseries. “It’s easy to default to a ‘theme’ when it comes to decorating a nursery, but if you’re trying to build a nursery that will grow with your little one — do everything you can to avoid a theme!” Instead, she suggests focusing on the overall color scheme, textiles, and the desired ambiance of the space.
Themed nurseries, while cute in the moment, can quickly become dated and impractical as your child grows. Bridget explains, “When I see a nursery that sticks to a strict theme, it tends to look very ‘baby-ish’ and even a bit tacky. Not that you can’t incorporate elements of a theme, but getting everything that is matchy-matchy and aligned with that one theme is not a good way to create a space that will grow with your little one.”
Shopping Beyond the Baby Stores
One of the biggest mistakes parents make when designing a nursery is limiting their purchases to baby-specific stores and products. Bridget advises, “If you’re only shopping at baby stores for your nursery, chances are the decor will be solely baby-ish, making it hard to eventually transition this space as your child grows.”
Instead, she encourages thinking outside the box when it comes to furniture, rugs, curtains, and accessories. “Try to think outside of the box when you’re shopping for furniture, lights, window treatments, and even accessories. Not everything you buy needs to be from a baby store.” This approach helps the nursery feel more integrated with the style and aesthetic of the rest of your home.
Investing in Versatile Furniture
Choosing the right furniture is crucial when creating a nursery that will grow with your child. Bridget explains, “I made a point to buy large items like furniture, lights, window treatments, the rug, and even art at places that aren’t necessarily known for baby gear — like Lowe’s and the Mine!”
Everly & Monet, a division of Daisy Baby & Kids, also emphasized the importance of selecting versatile furniture pieces. “The idea that this crib is going to be this kid’s bed until they are around 10 years old or go to college!” They recommend investing in a convertible crib that can transition from a standard crib to a toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed.
Similarly, the team at Everly & Monet advises choosing a high-quality dresser that can serve as a changing station in the nursery and then transition to a regular dresser as your child grows. “I would spend more money on the dresser than I would spend on the crib. The dresser is going to be used as a changing station in the beginning but long-term this is just a real piece of beautiful furniture.”
Incorporating Flexible Pieces
In addition to the crib and dresser, other furniture pieces should be selected with an eye towards flexibility and longevity. Cindy Hattersley Design suggests investing in a comfortable glider or chair that can remain in the room as additional seating, even after the nursery phase. “The great thing about the glider is that it can easily become additional seating in a big kid room. If you think about bedroom design, you normally have a little seating area. It’s nice to have other places that you can sit besides the bed.”
Hattersley also recommends choosing a side table or nightstand that can be used alongside the glider in the nursery and then seamlessly transition to the toddler or “big kid” bed as your child grows. “Instead of buying a small side table, invest those dollars into the nightstand that you will eventually place next to the bed.”
Embracing DIY and Personalization
While the foundational furniture pieces should be selected with longevity in mind, Bridget encourages incorporating DIY elements and personal touches that can evolve with your child. “I kept this goal in mind from the very beginning when pinning images, creating a mood board, and eventually designing this nursery. It helped that when I was purchasing items, I constantly tried to brainstorm where else I could use these pieces when we eventually tweaked the nursery.”
For example, Bridget built custom book ledges that could easily accommodate future additions, like hanging baskets for toys and stuffed animals. “I kept some room under the bookshelves to accommodate this idea in the future. I also want to add more hooks behind the door and more art someday. Having a tentative ‘long-term’ plan allows this space to transition without a ton of inconvenience.”
Personalized touches, like framed artwork, family heirlooms, and DIY projects, can also help the nursery feel timeless and adaptable. Casa Kids emphasizes the importance of incorporating these types of elements, as they “give the nursery soul and personality” and can easily be rearranged or swapped out as your child’s interests and needs evolve.
Designing for the Future
When creating a nursery that will grow with your child, it’s crucial to think beyond the newborn and infant stages. Matthew Cane Designs shared his insights on designing a nursery that can seamlessly transition from the baby years to toddlerhood and beyond.
“Nurseries and children’s rooms are taking on a new personality; they are becoming an extension of the home. Themes are totally acceptable, but they don’t need to be so literal anymore. When I’m designing a nursery or children’s room, I always keep this in mind. My thought process as a designer is that the nursery is just as much for parents as it is for children.”
Cane suggests mixing more adult-like furniture with whimsical, themed accessories to create a cohesive, evolving space. “By mixing more adult-like furniture with whimsical-themed accessories such as bedding, mobiles and toys the transition from baby, to toddler and eventually, child, will be much smoother than starting all over from scratch.”
Conclusion
Designing a nursery that will grow alongside your child may require a bit more forethought and planning, but the payoff is well worth it. By focusing on a neutral color palette, versatile furniture, and personalized touches, you can create a space that is both stylish and functional for years to come.
As you embark on this exciting journey of designing your little one’s nursery, remember to keep the big picture in mind. Opt for pieces that can seamlessly transition from one stage to the next, and don’t be afraid to mix high and low, old and new, to cultivate a truly unique and adaptable space. After all, your child’s nursery should be a reflection of your family’s style and values – a space that will grow and evolve just as your little one does.
For more inspiration and tips on creating a nursery that will stand the test of time, be sure to check out ABC Home & Renovations, your trusted source for all things home design in Aberdeen, UK.
