What should the room be like?
A baby's room is significantly different from other rooms in a house or apartment. Not only the design, the style direction of the interior and decorative elements matter. It is important to create ideal and comfortable conditions for mother and child. The baby's room should be safe, comfortable and best adapted to the child's needs.
If the area of the apartment allows you to arrange a separate place for the baby, it is recommended to start resolving the issue long before the birth of the child. Naturally, future parents strive to ensure that their baby is surrounded by a safe, environmentally friendly, multifunctional and attractive environment. To meet all the requirements for a room for a child, you should not delay the renovation.
The infant is unable to express his preferences. Therefore, the theme can be universal (images of the sky, clouds, flowers, plants, animals) or gender specific (for example, cars for boys, beautiful princesses for girls). Most often, the interior of a children's room for a newborn is the embodiment of parents' ideas about an ideal, cozy nursery.
Other gadgets for newborns.
These are optional products, but they are often offered to parents, assuring them that they are indispensable!
Video baby monitor and baby monitor.
These are devices that help you keep an eye on your baby if you are not in the room with him. But in reality, such gadgets are needed if you live in a large house, especially a two-story one. In a familiar apartment, even a large one, you will always hear the cry of a child. And you shouldn’t leave your baby for a long time even with a video baby monitor.
Cocoonababy.
Fashionable cradle for a newborn. However, you won’t be able to buy a cocoonababy inexpensively. And it will be useful to the child for a maximum of 1 month. Therefore, think carefully about the purchase, because its price is in the range of 10-12 thousand rubles. But you can ask for this gadget as a gift.
ITherm. Fashionable smart thermometer.
Allows you to measure your child's temperature in real time. Placed on the baby's shoulder like a bracelet and synchronized with a smartphone. It costs about 5,000 rubles, so it is also a controversial item on the list of necessary purchases for a newborn.
At first glance, the above list for a child is huge! However, everything can be acquired gradually, as needed and possible.
Remember that first of all, a child needs the love and care of his parents - this is paramount for him.
Design Features
During the first years of life, the baby does not yet have his own color preferences and priority features for decorating the room space. Therefore, when choosing the design of a children's room for a newborn, it is necessary to pay special attention to the equipment of the environment in which the baby and mother will be comfortable.
If parents feel satisfied with life and happy, then a positive mood will be passed on to their baby. For a newborn, it is important that the decoration, furniture, and all decorative elements do not cause allergies, are environmentally friendly, and safe.
Important! Parents should make sure that the nursery does not have swinging or retractable structures or sharp corners that could pose a threat.
Storage systems and changing tables
It is best to use open shelving to store books and toys. Low shelving units are not equipped with drawers or hinged doors, so the risk of injury from them is minimal. When choosing such furniture, it is important to pay attention not only to beauty, but also to the materials from which it is made, because they must be environmentally friendly.
Changing tables allow mothers to have everything at hand when caring for their baby
Another important interior detail is the changing table. An excellent solution would be a structure located near the crib. This will allow the mother to comfortably carry out daily hygiene procedures, change diapers and change the baby’s clothes. The changing area will be especially convenient if you place storage systems nearby - shelves on which various creams and baby care supplies will be located.
Another irreplaceable thing will be a chest of drawers for a newborn’s things. Over time, the amount of clothes for the baby will increase, and special furniture with a large number of drawers will be an excellent place to store it.
To choose an acceptable option, you should look at photos of finished furniture, of which there are many on the Internet.
Zoning Features
A well-executed design of a room for a baby should take into account the development and growth of the child. Therefore, the layout of this room provides for the equipment of separate functional areas intended for:
- active games;
- child's rest;
- educational board games, studies.
When arranging a nursery, it is recommended to zone the room in ways that are optimal for a particular case:
- special arrangement of furniture;
- wall or floor covering;
- with the help of sports equipment, screens;
- complex design of the ceiling structure.
Important! Regardless of the chosen zoning method, the main rule must be observed - the central part of the children's room must remain free and not interfere with the free movement of the child.
Curtain ideas for boys or girls rooms
Textiles should not be too bright so as not to irritate the baby. You can decorate the windows with tulle, curtains, blinds, and roller blinds.
The most optimal approaches to design:
- A simple pattern or a bright detail (letter, stars, polka dots, numbers);
- Neutral shades. Green, white, blue, turquoise;
- Interesting patterns. For example, a print with the older child’s own drawings or photographs.
For boys, you can choose curtains with cars, pirate ships, or sports themes. For girls, delicate colors (peach, cream, lilac) and images of animals, fairies, the moon, and the sun are suitable. If you need to equip a room for two children, it is better to choose neutral curtains.
Arrangement of the play area
The optimal location for the area for active play of the baby is in the central part of the room. In a small apartment, the play area can be located near the window, where in the future there will be a table for studying and creative activities. Near the place where the baby will play, it is necessary to place racks, containers or baskets for toys.
If the nursery has a floor without electrical heating, then additional coverage is required in the play area. For this, it is better to use hypoallergenic polyethylene foam. This coating does not absorb odors, is moisture-resistant, wear-resistant, and easy to maintain. It is convenient to install a playpen or special plastic grilles for fencing on it.
Preparing a room for two children
Preparing for the birth of twins is no easy task. For each of the newborns, it is important to provide a personal corner for the near future. As kids grow up, they will play together, so you need to arrange a play area in advance.
Two babies require maximum attention from their parents, so it is important to create the most comfortable and ergonomic conditions possible, for example, it is better to place cribs as close to each other as possible.
Wardrobes and diapers can be in one copy, especially if the room is small. But high chairs and developmental items will be needed for both babies.
If you have children of different sexes, give preference to the most neutral prints, colors, and decorations.
Wall finishing options
When finishing the surfaces of children’s walls, specialists use the following solutions:
- pasting with eco-friendly wallpaper;
- painting with safe materials;
- painting with stencils;
- artistic painting.
Vinyl wallpaper will create an attractive interior room. When the baby learns to walk, he will be able to draw on the smooth paper surface of the wallpaper. If you do not plan to redo the renovation every year, the finishing of the walls of the room should be done taking into account the functionality and practicality of the material. It must meet the growing needs of the child.
The development of tactile reflexes in a child contributes to his development and improvement of motor skills. It would be interesting for the baby to touch the relief surface. Textured paints, light-textured wallpaper, and decorative plaster are suitable for children's rooms. It is better to choose plain wallpaper, on which the wall decor will look great. Prints on the wall may irritate your little one.
To decorate walls, surfaces are sometimes painted using stencils, which will add originality to the interior. They can be purchased in specialized hypermarkets of finishing and building materials. Some parents may allow aesthetically pleasing artistic painting. This is a unique but expensive method of decorating the walls of a room.
Choosing a floor covering
To furnish the floor in a children's room, designers recommend using cork material. It has many advantages: it is pleasant to the touch, hypoallergenic, safe, and easy to care for. It should be taken into account that the original appearance of cork flooring is suitable for certain interior styles.
You can also install high-quality laminate flooring. Due to the peculiarities of the production of this material, it cannot be considered environmentally friendly. Every year, laminate manufacturers improve and improve the technology for manufacturing the material. In this regard, allergic reactions to this type of flooring are observed quite rarely.
The most optimal option for arranging floors in a nursery is a floor board made of natural wood with an aesthetic varnish coating. This option is quite expensive, but manufacturers guarantee the environmental friendliness of the natural material. Wooden floorboards look attractive and harmonize perfectly with any style.
Room color palette
A child’s visual perception is directly related to his development. The baby spends a lot of time in his room, so it is important to properly arrange the room. Psychologists recommend using pastel colors in a newborn's room. It is advisable to choose colors in light shades, for example, beige, white, blue or pink. This palette is the ideal backdrop for furnishing and decorating a room.
It is better to avoid dark monochromatic tones that do not evoke positive emotions in the child. To prevent your baby from getting bored in his own room, it is recommended to add bright interior elements to the room’s design that will attract the baby’s eye. This promotes concentration and proper development of the baby.
Decor
A few important rules when decorating a room for a newborn:
- Wall hangings are not used as they are dust collectors. More smooth surfaces and some regularly washed textiles are all you need to avoid dust mites in your home.
- A beautiful night light by the crib will additionally create a cozy atmosphere in the dark.
- There should be simple and light curtains on the windows. Bulky drapes and multi-tiered curtains with lush ruffles are a source of dust collection.
- Mosquito nets must be installed in double-glazed windows.
- If the window faces the sunny side, then use curtain fabric that would diffuse sunlight well.
- The walls are decorated with shelves, pictures with children's themes or family photographs.
- The playing area should be cluttered as little as possible with hard and sharp-edged objects.
- It is not necessary to lay a huge carpet over the entire floor under your feet. It is enough to put a small rug of any shape (for example, following the contours of a cloud).
- Macrame panels or woven mini-tapestry will look beautiful on the walls.
- The design of garlands made of flags or various figures (angels, animals, candies, stars, flowers, lanterns) is well emphasized.
An organizer for storing diapers, diapers, napkins, and bottles would be an excellent decoration. Everything you need will always be at hand. You can sew it yourself and hang it on the wall, to the back of the crib, changing table, or leave it hanging freely, attached to the ceiling, for example. The idea of making it in the shape of a funny face of an animal or a fairy-tale character will give the interior a positive and cheerful atmosphere.
Crib organizer Source detsky1.ru
Let the play area be equipped with soft toys, cubes with smooth corners, an educational rug or a cardboard house. It can be highlighted by sticking figurines of cartoon characters, animals, plants, butterflies, flowers and other things on the wall - whatever your free imagination suggests on a children's theme.
Play area in a room for a newborn Source design-homes.ru
Decoration for a boy
There are standard stereotypes about the color preferences of children of different sexes. Psychologists say that the baby is indifferent to shades. Therefore, wall decoration, selection and installation of furniture are done in colors preferred by adult family members. Typically, parents opt for high-quality materials for finishing the room and practical interior elements. A boy's room is often decorated in blue or in restrained, more masculine colors:
- brown;
- blue;
- grey.
The design is usually dominated not only by masculine colors, but also by various attributes. According to psychologists, this allows you to properly raise a future man, developing a strong character, assertiveness and determination. Dark colors must be combined with bright accent elements or inserts of light colors.
Color
The influence of color on the development of children and their psycho-emotional state has long been known. In the first weeks of life, a newborn’s visual perception is most developed, so the first room needs to be made warm and bright so that the surrounding interior is perceived easily and calmly.
But the presence of bright colors is also necessary, which stimulate brain development. The baby should be surrounded by calm colors, complemented by small bright spots.
It is up to the parents to decide which palette to choose. Pink tones are optional for newborn girls, and blue for boys. You can move away from these stereotypes and create an interior in light green, pale yellow, milky or beige, complementing them with bright contrasting inserts.
To make the design cheerful and fun, you can decorate the walls with funny photos of the newborn or children's themed pictures in large colorful frames.
Decoration for a girl
When creating a room design for a baby, parents often choose different shades of pink, sometimes peach. A great option is a combination of soft pink and beige. Against its background, pink looks richer and brighter. If you want to emphasize the delicacy of pink, use textiles or furniture in chocolate colors. Turquoise and gray colors go perfectly with hot pink.
Various shades of purple are in great demand, so it can often be found as the main color in the interior design of a girl’s nursery. The decor, decorated in beige and light green or lilac colors, looks original. The main task of parents is not to overdo it when decorating the newborn’s room with pink details.
Newborn's room in parents' bedroom
Many people do not always have the opportunity to arrange a separate room for a newborn. Sometimes parents are also afraid that the child will be too far away from them. In any situation, nothing prevents you from creating a zone for a newborn in the parents’ bedroom. Is there a way to keep this interior consistent and aesthetically pleasing? Certainly!
If you want the bedroom where your child will live to not lose its style, you need to devote some time to choosing the right children's furniture. It is worth knowing that a classic, wooden or white crib will suit any arrangement. However, if someone wants to be tempted by more original solutions, below are some suggestions.
In a bedroom decorated in a romantic style (pastel, pink and white colors), a wicker crib, preferably with a canopy, would be an ideal addition. In a modern bedroom, a crib on a frame with wheels is suitable, the minimalistic and carefully thought-out design of which harmoniously combines with the simplicity of the interior.
Ceiling design options
There are many ways to decorate the ceiling in a newborn’s room. The ceiling can be covered with wallpaper, painted with safe paint, decorated with original stucco, or installed with a multi-level or tension structure. Materials for ceiling decoration must meet the following requirements:
- high quality;
- reliability;
- safety;
- aesthetics.
The ceiling with photo printing, which is often used in children's rooms, is popular among consumers. Depending on the characteristics of the fabric, it comes in different types - matte, glossy with a mirror effect, and a rarer specific fabric similar to the texture of satin.
It is possible to install spotlights in suspended ceilings. They are superior to other ceiling systems due to their practicality, environmental friendliness, and attractiveness. Stretch ceilings do not crack, retain their original color and have a long service life. They allow you to realize any fantasies and ideas.
Before the painting procedure, the surface of the ceiling must be perfectly leveled. This can be achieved by plastering it or using reliable suspended structures. When decorating a room for a newborn, you need to choose safe materials.
Correct lighting
When decorating windows, you should pay attention to original textile solutions. To make the room for the newborn cozy and light, you can use light tulle as curtains. Some parents decide not to curtain the windows. Window decor should be simple and easy to maintain. It is worth abandoning complex curtains with ruffles, lambrequins, and folds.
To create sufficient artificial lighting for the baby, there must be several lighting fixtures in the room. You can place a pendant chandelier or wall sconces in the place where the children's bed is installed. In the corner for parents, it is better to place a floor lamp that emits subdued light. Its design must be stable and absolutely safe.
In nursery interiors for babies, special attention should be paid to the pressing issue of night feedings. This plays an important role in the life of mother and baby, so the nursery needs soft light that will not irritate the baby’s eyes and can be used as a night light. Decorations can be used for central lighting to distract the baby.
Bathing.
For the first months of a child’s life, you need to buy a special bathtub for bathing. But some parents prefer to wash the child immediately in a large bathtub.
It is also worth purchasing a water thermometer to determine what temperature the water is for bathing a newborn.
Not required, but possible is a bathing slide (it will allow you to comfortably place your child in the bathtub and free at least one of your hands) and an inflatable swimming circle (however, many children do not like it).
You will also need terry towels with a corner and a soft natural sponge for the baby's body.
For the first time, all you need from bathing cosmetics is mild soap without sulfates, fragrances and parabens, which is suitable for children from birth and can be used for both body and hair. They can be used to wash the baby and wash their hair.
A large number of oils, shampoos, and gels are simply useless - it’s more of a marketing ploy and a desire to sell more products than a necessity.
Bathing toys will be needed after 4-5 months, when the baby can already sit in the water, but before they are simply not needed.
Cloth.
Choosing clothes for a child is a pleasant and exciting activity not only for mom, but also for dad. Of course: tiny blouses and rompers are so cute and beautiful...
However, it should be remembered that a newborn grows quickly, and the initial child size 56 quickly turns into 62, then 68 and then increasing.
Therefore, in order not to waste money that could be useful for more necessary things, you should limit yourself to the following.
Baby Clothing.
Form the list depending on the time of year the child was born.
- Envelope for discharge. This is certainly a beautiful thing, but not the most necessary.
- The prices for envelopes are high, but they will only be useful once. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the blanket envelope, which you can then use to cover the baby during a walk, or you can immediately buy a beautiful walking envelope.
- Vests or blouses (warm and thin, 3-4 pieces)
- Sliders 3-4
- Bodysuit with short and long sleeves (one of each type)
- Slip or bodysuit (1-2 pieces)
- Thin and warm hat
- Socks 1-2 pairs (baby’s feet will grow very quickly, so you can take sizes for growth)
- Anti-scratch pads (2 pairs per shift)
- Warm nights or booties for a walk
- Suit or overalls for walking. You can use a walking envelope.
Toys.
In the first month, the newborn pays almost no attention to rattles and other toys. But after 3-4 weeks the baby will be interested in looking at various beautiful objects.
What toys should I buy for my child?
Rattles.
- The very first ones are rattle pendants. While the child cannot hold objects in his hand, you can hang them in the crib.
- Then after a few months you will need ring rattles, teethers and rustling toys.
- To develop coordination, you can buy your child toys-bracelets or socks with bells.
Mobile.
There are mobile phones of different prices and configurations. There are mechanical ones and there are electronic ones. The choice is up to you.
But you should remember that you need to hang the mobile at a distance of at least 30 cm from the baby’s eyes and not above his head, but in front, so as not to provoke the development of strabismus.
Play mat.
The thing is quite controversial. It is needed for 1-2 months, and it is unlikely that you will be able to buy an inexpensive play mat (unless you buy the toy secondhand - but why would you use second-hand children's products?).
An analogue of a play mat is a crib above which you can hang various soft, rustling toys on strings: both simple and safe.
Electric swing.
They come in different prices and designs: from inexpensive simple cradles to super gadgets for 20-30 thousand rubles.
Electric swings serve as an excellent assistant for parents, keeping the child occupied for a while, but whether to buy a swing or not is up to you to decide.
They will be useful only until the child learns to roll over and crawl - then he will crawl out of them, and this device will become dangerous for the baby.
Baby room furniture
When arranging a nursery, safety, environmental friendliness, and practicality come first. Mandatory pieces of furniture are a bed, a changing table, a feeding chair, and a small chest of drawers for storing diapers. The baby and mother, who spends a lot of time with the child, should feel comfortable and comfortable here.
A rocking chair with comfortable and practical armrests will allow you to simultaneously feed and rock your baby. It is advisable to install a soft ottoman for the feet near the rocking chair. If the future children's room does not have a spacious area, then the best option is to purchase a universal changing table with a chest of drawers.
Furniture made from natural wood is the leading material used to furnish a nursery. Natural material has an aesthetic appearance, is considered environmentally friendly and does not cause allergies. Furniture made from unpainted wood will bring the warmth of natural material and make the atmosphere more comfortable and cozy.
At first, a baby needs a minimum of furniture, however, in the future there will be a need to purchase various elements. It is recommended to develop a furniture design that will last for 4-5 years. First you will need to purchase:
- A bed for a baby, preferably with a removable or folding guard. After a few years it can be successfully used as a regular bed;
- Changing table (can be with a chest of drawers);
- Chest of drawers or small wardrobe for storing clothes;
- Rocking chair with footrest (for feeding);
- Walkers, shelves, toy boxes.
Your child will soon need a table and chair for studying, playing and creative activities. Today, the market offers a variety of furniture made from foam materials. They are safe; even if a child falls, they will not experience much discomfort. You also need to set up a place where toys and books will be stored. It is better to choose open racks or shelves.
Baby cots in children's rooms
There is no doubt that the crib is the most important piece of furniture. The child spends most of his time in it during the first weeks of his life, first sleeping and then playing in it. Therefore, you should pay a little more attention to her choice.
The most popular, of course, is the traditional crib with wooden slats. It has many advantages: as we have already mentioned, this option fits into any interior. Moreover, it is safe and durable, and will serve the child for the first few years. These models allow you to adjust the height of the mattress so that you have easy access to your newborn (the mattress is set high), and later, when the child begins to stand, you can lower the mattress to a safe height. Removable crossbars allow the child to leave the crib independently.
A very interesting version of the classic crib is a crib with a chest of drawers and a changing table. In the case of a classic crib, a changing table is usually purchased, which can be conveniently and safely placed on the side. Beds with additional equipment have a side chest of drawers with a changing table on the side. Additional drawers are also located under the crib so that maximum available space is utilized. This is a great solution, especially for small rooms.
Modern cribs usually have the shape of a cradle on a frame with wheels. This is comfortable, safe and at the same time mobile furniture, which additionally takes up little space. Their downside, however, may be the fact that they will serve the child less well due to their size and design.
Particularly noteworthy are beds attached to the parents' bed, which solve the eternal problem of whether a baby should sleep alone or in bed with his parents. Such a crib is attached to a large bed, and the slightly open side of the cradle makes the child feel the closeness of his parents, although at the same time he is in his own crib.
In stores you can also find wicker beds, both large ones with legs and smaller ones, the so-called “Moses baskets”. They are extremely decorative and contrary to appearance, but they will serve children less than classic cribs. In the end, we would like to add that travel cribs, which are extremely convenient during trips, according to experts, are not suitable for everyday use at home. Their structure does not contribute to the proper development of the child’s skeletal system.
Baby bed
A child's comfortable sleep depends on the correct choice of sleeping place. A comfortable bed is a guarantee of the correct formation of the posture of your beloved child. Properly selected furniture will allow your newborn to gain strength during the day and sleep soundly at night. Adequate sleep for the child will keep the parents calm and allow them to get a good night's sleep.
The modern market offers a huge variety of types of beds for newborns of different designs, sizes, shapes. They are divided into main types:
- cradles;
- standard cribs with sides;
- pendulums;
- transformers;
- beds on runners;
- playpens.
It is better for a newborn to purchase a compact cradle. For the first 6 months of life, the baby does not need a wide sleeping place. In the cradle he will not feel any sudden changes and will be comfortably enveloped from different sides. Psychologists say that in a small cradle the baby will sleep much more peacefully. Manufacturers have developed models with musical accompaniment, soft lighting, and a swinging mechanism. When the child grows up, you can buy a children's bed with sides in which he will sleep until he is 2-3 years old.
The best option for a crib for babies is an ecological wooden one. It is equipped with removable sides and the bottom height can be adjusted. Pendulum beds will cost more than a regular model due to the presence of a special mechanism. From a light touch to the bed, it begins to sway on its own. Manufacturers offer models with a transverse or longitudinal swing mechanism. A mattress for a crib must be selected with natural fillings that do not cause allergies in children.
Transformers, in which a child can sleep up to 4 years old, are in high demand. Some models have 3 zones: a sleeping area, a changing table, and a diaper chest. The bottom of the transforming crib can be set at the required height. The main advantage of transformers is that when the child grows up, the walls are removed and the changing table turns into a comfortable desk. An adult child (up to about 9-10 years old) can sleep in this bed.
Necessary things for feeding.
If you are planning on breastfeeding, you will need practically nothing.
The minimum set includes a bottle with a nipple that imitates a woman’s breast (Avent has these, for example) and a spoon in case you need to give medicine.
A breast pump should only be purchased if you plan to constantly be away from home and entrust feeding the baby to relatives or a nanny. Or if you plan to pump milk and bottle feed your baby.
With proper breastfeeding and established lactation, you simply won’t need it.
Also, if you are concerned about the problem of inverted nipples, you need to buy nipple covers.
At first, you may need breast pads. But you shouldn’t buy too many of them: when lactation improves, milk will come only at the baby’s request and will not leak.
If for some reason you cannot provide breastfeeding to your child, you will need to purchase more different feeding devices:
- 2-3 bottles
- brush for washing them
- bottle warmer
- sterilizer
- set of children's dishes (for the future)
- thermal bag (if you will often leave home with your newborn - to maintain the temperature of the mixture).
The principle of furniture placement
The children's room should not be cluttered with numerous pieces of furniture. It must be installed in such a way that it does not interfere with the parents of the newborn to move freely around the room. If this condition is met, the furniture will not interfere with the growing child’s crawling or walking. A small amount of furniture in the nursery allows you to create a spacious room and reduce the amount of dust in the room.
The changing table should be located as close to the baby's bed as possible. This is an irreplaceable pair of furniture, which is a mandatory element in the design of a nursery. Next to the changing table it is necessary to place the optimal storage system for a particular case. It is important to always have shelves, drawers or cells on hand to store various baby care products.
When creating an individual nursery interior for a baby, you need to show parental care and love for your child. Consider the fact that the child is growing rapidly and be prepared to make changes to the interior design in the near future. When the baby grows up, he will definitely express personal preferences and wishes that you can bring to life.
Walk.
For walks you need a stroller, of course.
I already told you how to choose a stroller HERE, so I won’t go into detail.
It’s worth buying a stroller with all the necessary accessories, but if you take the minimum package, it’s worth purchasing:
- Stroller bag: This will hold a change of clothes, diapers and wipes, toys, water and more. Choose a bag that attaches to the stroller and does not occupy your hands.
- Rain cover: a transparent cover for the stroller that will protect your baby from snow and rain.
- A mosquito net is a must-have item in summer.
- Mattress for the stroller and cover for the baby's legs.
Optionally you can buy:
- reflectors for strollers
- cup holder
- visor.
In addition, you can purchase a carrier for a newborn - it will help out when going to the clinic and visiting.
For trips by car, of course, you need a child seat or a car seat for the youngest passengers.
How to choose a child seat and the rules for transporting children in a car for 2022 are outlined in this article.