Planning a nursery is an incredibly exciting time as you wait for your new arrival. Despite this excitement it is always a good idea to step back and plan the design so that it will stand the test of time.

In many pregnancies, the parents choose to keep the sex of the baby secret so it is essential to decide on a gender neutral colour scheme. I always think it’s a good idea to shy away from the traditional pink and blue shades in a nursery as there are so many shades available that will help you create a wonderful, calming environment for your new baby.  Colour is so important for children at a young age and it’s important to select shades that will soothe and aid sleep.

Think about soft yellows, warm creams and soft greens when decorating your nursery. Take a look at a selection of Crown Paints colourcards.  They have a wealth of colours in this spectrum for you to choose from that will look beautiful in your nursery.   Shades such as Gentle Yellow, Sunrise and Just Lemon are bright, warm and sunny colours that will work well for both genders.

Other colours like softer blues and greens will work really well too.  Take a look at the Crown Classic Collection at shades such as Elegant Scent, Elegant Gown and Elegant Chiffon which are calming and subtle shades of duck egg blue and will create a relaxing area for you and your baby.  Make sure that any tones that you use are soft to mid tones and the colours you choose work together to complement and create a nice atmosphere in the room.

If you prefer to keep the walls completely neutral and introduce patterns and shades through your soft furnishing then the Classic Collection from Crown is the perfect place to find a classic neutral shade. Classic Neutral, Classic Umber, Organic Silk or Organic Buff are just a few shades from the collection that will create the perfect balance of comfort and freshness.

I suggest placing a wooden floor in your nursery as it will be the easiest to keep clean.  Flooring is a very important aspect of a nursery as there will be no doubt plenty of spills and splatters that will need to be cleaned away.  You can always place a cosy rug on the floor to add a little warmth to the room.  Alternatively, a deep pile carpet in a pale, neutral shade will add a lovely sense of cosiness to the room.

For furniture options select pieces with natural tones in the wood. I would invest in a chest of draws that could be used as a changing table for now and then can still be used in the future.   There are some wonderful storage options available from wicker baskets to storage benches in a home department store such as IKEA at affordable prices.  These are useful for keeping all the baby essentials together and can then be used for holding all your child’s toys when their collection grows.

A rocking chair or a comfortable armchair would be a fantastic addition and will also be a useful edition when you are nursing your child.  Soft lighting is a must in a baby’s room and a dimmer switch would be a perfect to allow you to regulate how bright the room is and also a nice side lamp would fit well into the room. 

With these decorating tips I hope you can create a special room for the new addition to your family.  

Happy Decorating,

Neville