Baby Nursery Idea
Functional and Adorable Can Co-Exist

It's easy to fall in love with adorable quilts and colorful wall hangings, but the best baby nursery idea is organization.

If you are expecting, especially for the first time, here are some suggestions to help you create a baby nursery that is not only adorable, but functional as well. In the middle of the night when you are half asleep and trying to feed and diaper a newborn, you'll be glad you took the time to think about organization

First, let's start with the basics of decorating. Here are some things to keep in mind when decorating your baby nursery.

Baby Nursery Idea for Color

It used to be so simple: blue for boys and pink for girls. Then came the green and yellow phase which could be adapted for either a boy or a girl. Now it seems that many expectant parents are asking their doctor to reveal the sex of their unborn child and decorating the nursery accordingly.

Whether you know the sex of your baby or not, whatever your decorating style is, keep in mind that studies have shown that color does have an impact on your baby. For instance, did you know that babies tend to cry more in a yellow room?

Have you ever seen a baby nursery decorated in various shades of pastel colors? Pretty, right? But did you know that babies' eyes do not have the ability to differentiate between subtle variations in colors? So while that pastel room might be pretty to you, your baby sees it as one undistinguishable color. Not very interesting.

Have you ever noticed that many baby toys include the color red? This is because red is actually the first color that the human eye is able to see.

Highly contrasting colors provide a lot of visual interest and stimulation for a baby's developing eyesight.

Taking this concept into your baby nursery would mean that the best color scheme to decorate with would be light colored walls with highly contrasting accents. This would provide the best of both worlds. Serenity from the light, calming color with just enough visual interest to hold a baby's attention without over-stimulating.

Baby Nursery Idea for Flooring

While it may seem that carpeting is the best choice for a nursery because it is soft and warm, take the time to think this choice through thoroughly. Carpeting actually traps a lot of bacteria and allergens, especially if something is spilled on it or an accident occurs - two things which are very likely in a baby nursery.

The best choice for baby nursery flooring is a solid surface that can easily be cleaned and disinfected. If you want a soft place for your baby to play on the floor, add an area rug which can easily be put through the washing machine or replaced if necessary.

Baby Nursery Idea for Window Treatments

Keep safety in mind when you are choosing window treatments for your baby nursery. Avoid shades or blinds that have long cords or strings that, as your child grows older, could become a choking hazard.

Also avoid curtains that are too long and pool on the floor. While this may be fashionable, a curious baby could easily get tangled up in the curtains or even pull the whole curtain rod down on top of them.

If your baby's nursery gets a lot of morning sunlight or has a window near a street lamp that shines through at night, you may want to consider getting room darkening window coverings to allow for a more peaceful night's sleep.

Baby Nursery Idea for Furniture

Keep organization in mind when you are choosing furniture for the nursery.

A crib with a storage drawer underneath is a great idea.

It is a good idea to include a comfortable chair that rocks for those late night comforting sessions. It is also a good idea to put a small side table next to the chair so you will have a place to rest the baby's bottle, supplies you might be using or even a drink for yourself.

I also like the idea of including a bookshelf in a baby nursery. It is crucial to start reading to your baby from the day you bring him or her home from the hospital. Get a bookshelf for your nursery that can stay in your child's room for many years. Fill it with wonderful books to expand your child's mind and love for reading.

Baby Nursery Idea for Organization

Don't overlook the closet when it comes to keeping a baby nursery organized. Baby clothes are so small that they don't require much space to hang. Take advantage of all that extra vertical space by adding shelves or plastic drawer units underneath the hanging rod.

Another great idea for those parents who like to stay ahead of the game by shopping for clothes a few sizes larger than your baby is currently wearing is to get some clear plastic storage bins and label them by size. Place the bins on the top shelf of the closet. This way, you will be able to see at a glance how much clothing you have in each size.

A changing table is a wonderful organization center for your changing supplies, but don't panic if you can't fit a changing table into your nursery.

You can achieve the same kind of organization by placing a changing pad on top of your baby's dresser and hanging some shelves on the wall above the dresser. Use baskets to keep supplies organized and place the baskets on the shelves.

So when you are trying to come up with a baby nursery idea, remember to take a look around your space and think outside the box. Create organization wherever possible. You won't be sorry you did.