With the impending arrival of baby its only natural for the wife to go into nesting mode and it can be fun to participate! It can also be a time of high anxiety when hearing the words “So I saw this thing on Pinterest…” and wondering if you have enough beer to tackle the upcoming project you’ll be assigned…
Armed with requirements from the wife and a host of Pinterest pins, setting up a baby nursery can seem daunting at first, but with some planning and preparation (and beer), it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here’s my guide to help you set up a baby nursery from start to finish.
Choose a Room first
You need to decide which room you want to use as the nursery. Ideally it should be a quiet and peaceful room away from high traffic areas. Other considerations should include good ventilation, lighting, and storage.
Choose a Color Scheme
Once you have your room, it’s time to decide on a color scheme for the nursery. Many parents choose soft and calming colors, such as pastel blues, pinks, or yellows. You can also choose a theme, such as animals or sports, to add some fun and personality to the room. We had Sage Green as one of our primary wedding colors and we thought it would work great for a babies room as well so that is what we decided on as a primary color.
Address the Wife’s Assignments
One of the primary assignments the wife provided me was the creation of a ‘wood wall’ as seen on Pinterest. I searched for a few different sources of reclaimed barn wood to accomplish this from Home Depot to Craigslist to Facebook Marketplace but couldn’t find anything I liked. Thanks to Google stalking me, I kept receiving ads for Stikwood as a peel-and-stick option. This was certainly not a cheap alternative but I snagged some on a Black Friday deal to save some money. Despite the cost this was well worth it in time, effort, and desired effect. In just a couple afternoons (2 beers each, a 4 beer assignment total) I had completed the project and delighted the wife.
Wood wall – 4 beer project
Pick Essential Furniture
We made a list of what we thought the most important furniture pieces for a baby nursery are and came up with a crib, a changing table, and a dresser. There are a myriad of places to acquire these items from Facebook and Craigslist to friends and family to high end brands but just make sure that you choose safe, sturdy, and well-made furniture. Additional furniture may include a rocking chair, nightstand, and bookshelf.
The crib we selected from Storkcraft
Get the Right Bedding
When it comes to bedding, you’ll need a fitted sheet, a waterproof mattress pad, and a crib mattress. Make sure to choose bedding that is comfortable, safe, and easy to clean. I recommend at least three different fitted sheets so that one can be in use, one can be ready to be used, and one will inevitably be soiled with some sort of bodily fluid and in the wash.
Decorate the Walls
Once you have the furniture and bedding in place, it’s time to decorate the walls. You can hang pictures, artwork, or decals to add some color and personality to the room. Just make sure that everything is securely fastened and out of reach of your little one. Name signs from Etsy are very common but please ensure they are not hung over your crib. In fact nothing should be installed over the crib! We ended up hanging some floating shelves, a mirror, and hanging plant.
Install Window Treatments
To help regulate the amount of light that enters the room, install window treatments such as curtains or blinds. Make sure to choose a fabric that is easy to clean and won’t pose a safety hazard. We grabbed some metal window shades from Home Depot made to measure and they were a breeze to install.
Add Storage
You’ll need storage for all of your baby’s clothes, diapers, toys, and other items. God help you if you have a girl as your wife will go even harder on the clothes and good storage will be critical. A dresser with drawers and a changing table with shelves or baskets can provide plenty of storage space for primary items. You can also add storage bins or baskets to keep things organized. We added some shelving in the closet along with some totes that we got from Target to increase storage.
Consider Lighting
You’ll want to have enough lighting in the nursery for nighttime feedings and diaper changes. A ceiling light with a dimmer switch can help create a calming atmosphere, and a nightlight can provide just enough light for those late-night tasks. We utilized two different lamps along with a Hatch night light + sound machine.
Safety First
Make sure to take safety precautions when setting up your nursery. Install safety gates, outlet covers, and baby-proof locks on drawers and cabinets. Also, make sure that all furniture is securely fastened to the wall to prevent tipping. Play around with the floor plan as well to ensure that you can avoid banging knees and stubbing toes during 3am diaper changes.
Setting up a baby nursery can be a fun and exciting experience, but it’s important to take your time and plan carefully. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a safe and comfortable space for your little one to grow and thrive.
What else would you add?