A Practical Guide to Creating the Perfect Nursery
Creating the perfect—and practical—nursery can feel overwhelming for both first-time and experienced parents, especially when piled onto all the other to-dos that need done before baby arrives. It can be one of the most exciting parts of planning for baby, but it’s also easy to drift down the Pinterest rabbit hole and lose sight of what’s necessary to create a safe, calming, and functional space.
Start Simply
Before you get overwhelmed, add the basics to your checklist, such as:
– a safe crib, bassinet or portable play yard—experts recommend checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website to make sure your crib hasn’t been recalled if it is not new
– a firm, flat mattress
– a supportive chair for feeding, rocking and cuddling baby—you’ll spend a lot of time here, so make sure it’s comfortable!
– a dresser or other storage for baby’s clothes and diapers
– a changing table or other safe space to change baby’s diaper
– a sound machine
– a dimmable light or soft nightlight that will be your best friend during nighttime diaper changes and feedings
– cordless blackout shades or curtains to block out light during the day
– a monitor to see and/or listen to baby throughout the night as needed
Prioritize Safety
As you choose decor or a theme, keep in mind recommendations for safe sleep from the American Academy of Pediatrics to:
– use only a fitted sheet in the crib
– avoid loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers and other soft items in the baby’s sleep space
You’ll also want to arrange the nursery so that baby’s sleeping space is away from curtains, heating vents and any windows. It’s also a good idea to avoid hanging anything heavy, like a shelf or large decor piece, above the crib.
Make sure to add anchoring any tall furniture, such as a dresser, changing table or bookshelf, to the wall, to your nursery checklist, too.
Avoid Overdecorating
Although picking a theme for the nursery and bookmarking all the cute decor is one of the highlights of nesting, you’ll want to keep the nursery space simple, easy to keep organized, and able to grow with baby. Less clutter means more floor space and fewer things to keep tidy—you’ll be grateful you opted for less as baby grows and accumulates more stuff.
A great way to dress up the perfect nursery is to incorporate a statement wall—through wallpaper, an accent color or unique artwork. Opt for neutrals and pastel colors to keep the nursery space calming for little ones (and parents alike).
Add cozy elements, like a soft rug, a variety of warm lighting, or adorable throw pillows on the nursery glider. These are easy things to change out as baby grows and the room demands a different style.
Plan for Functionality
As you’ll spend many moments together in the nursery—at all hours of the day and night—the perfect nursery prioritizes practical design.
Make sure the essentials are easy to grab—what will you need within arm’s reach at 2 a.m.? Consider keeping diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and extra pajamas and sheets in a an easy-to-reach spot for quick access in the middle of the night. A great option is filling a simple rolling cart with the essentials and keeping it close to a changing table or chair so there’s little need to move around and find everything when you’re trying to avoid fully waking the baby.
Picking furniture with extra storage perks, like a crib with a built-in drawer, or finding ways to add more storage into the room—through shelving or under-the-bed storage bins, for example—also enhances the functionality of the nursery space.
Furniture that grows with a child is another smart choice to make the most of the nursery space for years to come. For example, opt for a convertible crib or a dresser that doubles as a changing table to get more life out of these bigger-ticket items.
Find the Perfect Nursery Space
Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2026