How to arrange a baby room?
Are you preparing for the birth of your child and looking for tips on how to design a nursery for your newborn ? Or perhaps you're browsing nursery designs online or in stores for inspiration? Unsure whether a baby nook in the parents' bedroom would be better than a separate small nursery ? We answer these and many other questions about designing a space for your little one in the text below.
What in room for a newborn?
Decorating a nursery for a newborn is one of the most beloved activities of expectant parents. However, before you get started, consider which solutions will work best for your family. When parents are expecting their first child, they don't yet know exactly what to expect, what will be essential and what will be completely unnecessary elements of a nursery. It's best to simply think about the activities that will be performed daily and repeatedly around the little one. Only then should you consider what furniture, accessories, and additions you'll need. If you're unsure about how to decorate a newborn's nursery and what should be included in your little one's surroundings, we have some practical tips for you.
What should a baby's room look like and what equipment should it include?
- painted in a light color of the wall;
- crib;
- comfortable armchair;
- a chest of drawers with clothes and cosmetics for baby care;
- a lamp that gives a soft light.
In the further part of the article, you will learn why these elements are so important and why they should not be missing in your baby's room.
Together or separately?
This is the most important dilemma that young parents must resolve. Both solutions have advantages and disadvantages. Convenience is the main argument in favor of leaving the child (in the initial period) in the parents' bedroom.
Newborns and infants often wake up at night, need to be fed and changed – even every 1,5 hours.
For this reason, many parents initially place their baby's crib next to their own. Others, on the other hand, decide to acclimate the new family member to a separate space from a young age by setting up a small nursery for the baby. The advantage of this solution is that the parents' bedroom remains their shared space, which positively impacts their relationship. However, getting up to see a child sleeping in the other room can be quite cumbersome and tiring. Regardless of which option you choose, remember to prepare the space where you and your baby will be so functional and safe for both you and your little one.
Expert advises
When designing a newborn's room or a nursery in the parents' bedroom, consider the child's needs and your own comfort. Years of experience in providing expert opinions have led us to prioritize safety, functionality, comfort, and aesthetics at the Institute . We encourage you to consider these same aspects when designing infant rooms. This way, you can be sure your little one is growing up in a safe and developmentally friendly space. Too many furnishings, bright colors, or an overabundance of stimuli can affect a child's immature nervous system, negatively impacting their development.
How to arrange a baby corner in the parents' bedroom?
Not all parents have the ability to create a separate room, even a very small one, for their baby. In such cases, you need to be very resourceful and skillful in arranging the space. It's worth starting by considering how to expand the available space in the parents' bedroom to accommodate a baby nook. Perhaps swapping a large bed for a fold-out sofa bed, or replacing an impractical TV stand with, say, a chest of drawers.
If a separate room isn't possible, it's worth investing in multifunctional and foldable furniture , such as a crib with a bedding drawer or a wall-mounted changing table. Hangable items should be permanently mounted, for example, on the wall, to avoid unnecessary floor space . You could also consider installing a screen to separate your child's sleeping area from the rest of the room.
Where to start decorating baby room?
It's best to start any renovation work early enough to be completed 1-2 weeks before your baby's expected birth. This is to prevent your little one from being exposed to the smell (fumes) of freshly painted walls or wood varnish. When choosing room renovation products, it's best to ask the seller about the paint and varnish certifications for children's rooms. This way, you can be sure the products you purchase are safe for your little one. Both the floor and walls in a baby's room should be durable and easily cleanable: infancy will pass quickly, and children have limitless creativity.
Another important decision is choosing the room's color scheme . There are many colorful wallpaper patterns available on the market. However, remember that while a baby might be fine with wallpaper featuring teddy bears or hearts, a preschooler might not like it as much.
Expert advises
So if you do not plan your next renovation quickly, it is better to choose subdued colors of the walls and, for example, stickers that can be easily removed from the wall when they get bored. Also, do not choose too dark and intense colors - they can tire your child's eyesight and additionally darken the interior.
How to arrange a room for a newborn?
When arranging a children's room or a corner, think about what activities you will be doing in it. The most important of these are changing and feeding. With this in mind, plan the purchase of furniture and accessories, and the arrangement of space.
A place to sleep
The most important piece of furniture for your baby's room in the early stages of life is the crib . This is where your little one will spend most of their time. You can read about how to choose the best mattress and crib in a separate article , but in the meantime, let's consider what other items should be included in a baby's room.
A place to feed
A comfortable armchair where you can cuddle and feed your baby is an optional but important piece of nursery equipment. This is especially important if the mother plans to breastfeed: feedings often last a long time, and a comfortable armchair is crucial for providing good support for the mother's spine and allowing for better latching. It's also worth considering a table next to the armchair, so you can place a drink, a book, or your phone. Even if you prefer to feed lying down, a seat in the baby's nook or nursery can also be useful.
A place to change
Another important element is a changing table or chest of drawers with a changing table . Items you'll use most often, such as changing supplies, diapers, and clothes, should be within easy reach. Consider where you'll place them, as you can't even leave the changing table for a moment if your baby is lying on it.
Storage space
Also, try to find a place for the first toys and books right away. Consider buying new/additional furniture if you're struggling to find space in your existing furniture. A place for cosmetics and essentials will also be useful. All wardrobes and shelves should be secured to the wall to prevent them from tipping over onto a crawling or walking toddler. Remember that approximately 40% of accidents involving children occur in their own homes, which is why functional and safe arrangement of living space is so important.
Lighting
When it comes to room lighting, in addition to a lamp that illuminates the entire room, a yellow night lamp with a subdued glow is also useful . This will be useful for putting your baby to sleep, feeding at night, and performing any other nighttime activities.
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Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child
Baby room: how to choose furniture?
Furniture for a baby's room should meet European standards, including those regarding durability, chemical resistance, and construction . We pay particular attention to this during all review processes. Each piece of baby furniture meets a different standard, ensuring the product's safety for its users.
- In terms of chemistry, that is the safety of the adhesives, paints and varnishes used children's furniture should meet the requirements of the toy standard EN 71which ensures that they are safe for children, e.g. in terms of migration of elements, including heavy metals, or the occurrence of formaldehyde, which is harmful to the nervous system.
- In terms of endurance the standard applies EN 1725.
However, manufacturers are not required to include this information on product packaging or in their commercial offer, so it is worth asking sellers whether the furniture has been tested by an independent laboratory and is certified by an international certification body, e.g. in Poland, PCA or German TUV and SGS.
Safe products, checked by the so-called an independent third party, such as the Institute of Mother and Child, is marked with the compliance mark appropriate to the given unit.
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