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However, you don't want to overpower your baby with sensory overload! As with any decorating scheme - less is best. To create a stimulating nursery keep walls, furnishings and fittings to neutral colours as much as possible, without sticking to a single monotonous shade, and add interest with small amounts of bright colour in borders and accessories - creating a space that feels soothing and relaxing, yet still offers sensory input for your little one. The room needs to be uplifting and stimulating for playtime and, at the same time, evoke feelings of calm and quiet for rest.
One of the most important elements in any nursery is a crib or cot that offers baby the most comfortable and relaxed sleeping environment. Colours, textures and pattern in this area should be subtle and subdued. They should also coordinate well with one another and blend smoothly to avoid over-stimulation of the senses - this is the time for sleep not play!
Create a separate area in the room for play and stimulating activities. This would be the perfect place to set up a comfortable chair, soft rug, play mat or cushions, where parents and baby can interact and play together. In a small room, make good use of the space by dedicating each corner of the room for a particular use and decorating accordingly. Remember that colours, furniture and decoration of the nursery will have a direct effect on how your baby feels. Take the time to choose items that create harmony and a sense of peace.
Decorating Tips:
- When choosing furniture for the nursery, look for pieces made from light woods. Pine, beech or painted pieces in pale colours will create a room that appears more open and spacious. As a more affordable option, unfinished pine with a whitewash finish is an easy do-it-yourself alternative.
- Every nursery needs to have plenty of storage space for clothing, nappies, baby essentials and toys. Make good use of large wicker baskets, shelves, cupboards or wooden toy boxes. If you require more storage space, consider built-in drawers beneath the crib, or additional built-in cupboards.
- Paint the walls in neutral colours such as cream, sand or eggshell. It's easy to bring additional colour into the room using designer bed linen, framed pictures, borders, wallpaper, patterned rugs and mats, or other colourful accessories.
- Brightly coloured and interesting mobiles create more excitement, while pastel shades and fabric mobiles are more peaceful. Hang mobiles in a place that is easy for your baby to see, but not directly over the crib. A good place to hang a mobile is at the bottom of the cot or bric, where it can be seen during the day.
- Fit lighting and lamps with a dimmer switch. This is very useful for those late night feedings or soothings, as it prevents both mother and baby from waking completely.
- Whilst modern design allows a wider range of colours for a nursery, if you prefer to use the more traditional pinks and blues, select several different shades and tones. Today's nursery colours can be bold and bright, classically restrained, or anywhere in between.
At the end of the day remember that you offer the most stimulation for your baby!
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