Q: I have three wall spaces in my nursery to decorate and have no idea where to begin. The nursery is small, so I want to keep it clean and simple but add some personality. There's no theme to the nursery, just a mix of vintage and modern pieces.



1) Narrow panel between curtains.
2) Wall above the dresser/changing table
3) An open wall with nothing on it but a corner glider and side table.
I'd like to incorporate this birdcage photo holder, and possibly a mirror and some art prints.
Any suggestions??
Sent by ChicagoMel
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Sheex Bedding
Can you post a picture of the mirror and the art prints? That would really help determine location.
Well, I think it might be worthwhile to peruse some of the nursery designs here on apartmenttherapy and see which ones appeal to you. Once you have a sense of your design style, you can take it from there.
I would suggest a few ideas:
1. Infant nurseries can be kept simple, as babies don't need much, really.
2. But as children get older -- age 10 months or so -- they need to be able to crawl around in a safe space where things are accessible to them for exploration and play. So babyproof now, and consider low-lying open shelving and baskets for toys and books (e.g., the Expedit is a perennial favorite, though that may or may not be your aesthetic).
3. Consider a larger rug that is anchored under the weight of the crib and further held in place by a rubberized rug pad. I found the smaller rugs we had were constantly going askew, as they weathered a great deal of traffic (pacing, playing, swaying, dancing, etc.).
4. Personally, I recommend an eclectic look for nurseries and toddle rand young kids' rooms--children's toys are a mish-mosh, and they like plastic, wood, brights, pastels, classics and modern items. If your room can accommodate a child's various toys, you might be happier and less stressed out about maintaining a stylized "look" over the long term.
I like the bird cage photo/card holder. It looks sweet for a nursery. How about the wooden letters that spell out the child's name? I think you can buy the letters unpainted and paint them to match or contrast with the room decor. My daughter had Potter Barn bedding for my granddaughter's crib. She found someone on Ebay, I think, who painted the letters to match the bedding. They were in the same colors and prints. I don't think it was super expensive for the four letters to spell ELIN.
Hmmm. . . first of all, NO pillows in the crib once baby is here! No fluffy bumpers, either. And keep the birdcage/photo thing up on the wall away from the crib and any one who can reach higher than 3 feet. Actually, I wouldn't really try to decorate until the baby is a bit older. By then, you will have a better sense of her personality. Some babies will stress with lots of color and doo-dads. Others thrive in a lively setting. Her favorite colors and shapes might be completely different than your's. No need to put egos on the line (your ego, not her's! LOL!)
Another thing regarding safety; Please be sure that the crib is safely away from any cords --- in this picture you've got the crib by the window. If there are *any* shade cords anywhere within reach, move that crib!
floor plan w/measurements would help here, and we do not know what is on left side of room. crib at middle of R wall is away from grabbing at curtains & draft/light of windows or door. dresser opposite, on L wall by door, is away from grabbing at curtains while changing. birdcage hangs high enough on crib R wall that standing baby cannot touch, incorporated into simple mural (tree or zoo or scattered square/circle/triangle/etc) as focal point. two thin, short bookcases w/ matching task lamps on top, one where dresser is now, one between windows, can become side tables when bed shows up. bottom shelf of each holds fabric box for toys. matching bigger fabric box under crib holds toys or diapers.
You have a good amount of wall space to work with. I personally like the idea of using fabric wall decals as an option for your nursery wall decor The reason being is that it's not permanent, it won't damage your walls, and when your baby grows up then you can change the theme quite easily. I'm not sure where you're planning on placing the rest of your furniture, but the best space would be between the chair and the changing table.