How to prepare a nursery
How to prepare a nursery for your baby which incorporates practicality, forward-thinking and style
Will 2008 bring a new addition to your family?
Babies may be small, but they seem to come with a lot of equipment. Modern nursery furniture combines sleek design with tricks – multi-tasking, multi-storage items that will help you to avoid any unnecessary sleepless nights. Time spent planning storage and space now will pay dividends later, so put your feet up and let Latest Interiors give you the lowdown on bringing baby home.
Wooden playroom furniture, from £60 from John Lewis – www.johnlewis.co.uk
Sleep, baby, sleep
One of the first things prospective parents spend their money on is a cot, for which the options are endless. Start simply: cots with adjustable mattress levels are useful, as you keep the mattress high (for easy access) when baby is little, and move it down as they get older to prevent climbing out. If you want something that will last, then a cot bed – which converts to a junior bed later – might be the perfect solution. Look out for models with under-unit storage. Vintage cots and old family pieces look beautiful, but do check that they meet current safety regulations. If not, opt for something simple, sleek and Scandinavian in natural wood.
‘Dwell’ baby blanket £29 from John Lewis – www.johnlewis.co.uk
One or both parents will spend many hours feeding baby, so invest in a comfy chair to put next to the cot. At three in the morning, a good chair (and some warm slippers) makes the world seem a much nicer place. Many companies sell special ‘glider’ and rocking chairs, which also help soothe baby (and you if you’re not careful) back to sleep, although a vintage rocking chair (with a nice soft cushion!) will do the job just as well. Black-out blinds or curtains are also helpful, particularly if you have a summer-born baby.
Storage and playtime
You might think that baby won’t need much storage space, but it is truly amazing how quickly clothes and toys pile up. A good, solid chest of drawers is a must-have, and you can
save space by choosing one that has an integral changing table (that can be removed later) on top. A wardrobe rail is optional at this stage, as tiny clothes get a bit lost on hangers. If you have a wardrobe or fitted unit, ensure that there is plenty of shelf and box storage inside.
‘Deco’ nursery furniture, from £300, above left: , above right: ‘Dwell’ baby blanket, £29 all from www.johnlewis.com
Toy storage is absolutely essential – as soon as junior starts moving around, bits of wood and plastic will slowly invade every corner of your home. Start off with simple baskets and boxes if you like (toddlers love to unpack them), but if you can afford it, then a good-sized toy box can be a godsend. Modular units with pull-out boxes also work very well. For a more finished look, bespoke storage is the perfect solution for children’s rooms: alcove, under-cot and wall space can be utilised to your advantage, and co-ordinated with the rest of the room.
It may be tempting to theme the nursery in bright pink or baby blue, but you’ll get more use from nursery furniture if you opt for high quality pieces in neutral colours and finishes. They’ll withstand more use, and won’t look dated as children age and grow out of pre-school colours. Give the room some kidappeal with funky, coloured quilts, boxes, rugs, pictures and cushions that are simple to replace later. Children grow, so choose furniture and pieces that can grow with them.
