When decorating the nursery of your new baby boy, there's no limit to the possibilities. Decorating the nursery can be a fun time for parents-to-be, and with some planning and creativity it can be an easy process, too.
Theme
Come up with some kind of overarching theme for the room. It can be something simple or something grandiose as long as you have the time and energy to get it done in time for baby's arrival. No one wants to haul paint cans upstairs during the last month before Mom is due! Having a theme beforehand will help keep you reined in with the decorating process.
Stripes, animals, polka dots or even just basic shapes are great themes to decorate your baby's room, and don't be afraid to mix and match when decorating the nursery. Any combination of themes can work well together if planned out right.
Some popular themes for a boy's room:
- Nautical or beach
- Jungle/safari
- Sports
- Space/astronaut
- Trains, trucks or airplanes
Color palette
Once you've got the theme for your son's nursery in mind, you can start building on your design with colors. As your newborn's sight develops, softer tones like blues, greens, pinks and yellows are more pleasing to your baby's eyes. But you don't have to go crazy matching 23 different shades of blue for your son's new room.
Think of the colors you have in your home already and choose colors that can coordinate well but still remain warm, inviting and soothing for you and your baby boy.
As he grows, it will be easier to redecorate his room if you keep the walls and colors neutral and add hints of color with accent pillows, rugs and bedding.
TIP: You and your baby will spend a lot of time on the floor so make sure when picking out a rug for his room you pick a plush rug with lots of padding.
Plan the space
Once you've got your color palette and theme all set, you can begin adding furniture. It's always a good idea to triple check your measurements when buying furniture. Avoid the hassle of returning furniture that doesn't fit in the space by making sure it fits ahead of time.
The main pieces of furniture every nursery needs are the crib, changing table and a place to put baby's clothes.
When you're buying the crib, keep in mind that your newborn will be a toddler in what seems like no time at all, so look for cribs that will change as they grow. Many sets start out as cribs but can change to a toddler bed and later on to a “big kid” bed.
When placing furniture around the room, be sure to keep the changing table and changing supplies away from baby's crib to prevent him from reaching in and grabbing something that could be dangerous for him.
TIP: Keep diapers, wipes and creams out in the open so that they're within reach when you have to change your baby's diaper. You'll prevent spreading germs that way!
Lighting
Installing blackout curtains or heavy blinds will make sure that the sun won't make the nursery too hot during the day, allowing your baby to sleep soundly and comfortably.
If the nursery only has harsh overhead lighting, install a dimmer switch so you can make easy adjustments depending on the time of day.
Putting a small lamp near the crib will help keep the light to a minimum when it comes time for late night feedings and a nightlight will also help keep things safe!
Personalize
Don't forget to personalize the space! Creating small touches that are unique to your baby boy will make the room that much more special.
Framing and hanging photos of him and his family around the room are an easy way to make it personal-plus frames are easy to change as he grows older.
If he has older siblings, have them create a drawing for the newborn to hang on his wall. It'll be something special for them to share and will keep them involved in the process!