Preparing a nursery can be one of the lovelier parts of getting ready for a baby. It can also become another source of pressure, particularly when beautifully styled rooms make it seem as though everything needs to be finished before your baby arrives.
In reality, a newborn needs very little from a nursery. Safety, practicality and a space that works for your family matter far more than creating a perfectly styled room.
This guide focuses on creating a calm, useful space without filling it with things you may not need.
Start with where your baby will actually sleep
For the first six months, NHS safer sleep guidance recommends that your baby sleeps in the same room as you, day and night, in their own separate sleep space.
That means the nursery may not be where your baby sleeps initially, and there is no need to rush to make it completely finished before birth.
Wherever your baby sleeps, use a cot, crib or Moses basket with a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that fits properly. Place your baby on their back to sleep unless a healthcare professional has advised otherwise for a specific medical reason.
Keep the sleep space clear. Pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, sleep positioners, pods, nests, toys and loose or padded items should not be placed in your baby’s sleep space.
Think practical before decorative
A nursery works best when everyday essentials are easy to reach.
Rather than filling every shelf before your baby arrives, consider the tasks you are likely to do in the room. You might want accessible storage for:
- Nappies
- Changing supplies
- Muslin cloths
- Vests and sleepsuits
- Spare fitted sheets
- Everyday baby clothes
Simple baskets or drawers can be enough. You can always add storage later once you understand what you actually use.
Create a safe changing area
You do not need a dedicated changing table, although some families find one useful.
If you use a raised changing surface, make sure it is stable and keep the supplies you need within easy reach. Never leave your baby unattended on a raised surface, even briefly.
A changing mat on the floor can also be a simple option.
Keep furniture secure
As your baby grows, a room that once felt completely safe can quickly become more interesting to explore.
Follow manufacturers’ instructions for assembling and securing furniture. Where appropriate, secure items such as tall drawers, wardrobes and shelving to the wall using suitable fixings for your wall type.
Keep cords from blinds or curtains safely out of reach, and think ahead about anything your baby may eventually be able to pull, climb or reach.
Lighting can be simple
Soft lighting can make night-time feeds and changes feel less disruptive, but you do not need specialist nursery lighting.
A small lamp or dimmable light may be useful, provided cables and lamps are positioned safely away from the baby’s sleep space and, later, out of reach.
Blackout blinds or curtains can be helpful for some families, but they are not essential for every baby.
Choose comfort for the adults too
You may spend a surprising amount of time sitting in your baby’s room, particularly during feeds, cuddles or bedtime routines.
If space and budget allow, a comfortable chair can be useful. It does not need to be a specialist nursery chair. Something supportive that you already own may work perfectly well.
Keep drinks, hot items, medicines and other potential hazards well away from your baby and out of reach as they grow.
Avoid overcrowding the room
It is tempting to buy everything before your baby arrives, but leaving some space has advantages.
You may discover that the changing table is unnecessary, that you prefer storing clothes somewhere else, or that the chair you thought you needed rarely gets used.
Starting simply gives the room space to evolve with your family.
What about nursery decorations?
There is nothing wrong with making the room feel beautiful. Photographs, artwork, books and a few meaningful objects can make a nursery feel personal.
Just keep decorative items away from the baby’s sleep space and consider how the room will change once your baby becomes mobile.
Heavy objects, trailing cables and items that can be pulled down should be positioned with future curiosity in mind.
You do not need a finished nursery before birth
One of the most reassuring things to remember is that your baby does not know whether their nursery is complete.
They need a safe place to sleep, somewhere practical to be changed, suitable clothing and feeding support, alongside your care and attention.
The rest of the room can come together gradually.
A calm nursery is not necessarily one with matching furniture and perfectly arranged shelves. Often, it is simply a space where the things you use are easy to find, unnecessary clutter is kept to a minimum and safety has been considered carefully.
Before your baby arrives, check current NHS safer sleep guidance and follow the instructions supplied with cots, furniture and other nursery equipment. Then allow the room to evolve as you learn what works for your family.
