Nursery interiors, design, living.

Recipe
Written By jackie Riley

Decorating a nursery is a special time, but with so much to consider - where does one begin?

As a first time parent and interiors addict I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one! 

Working with interiors and product everyday, I collate a vast amount of research and knowledge. I hope this post will help you with what to consider before decorating a nursery.

1.Find Inspiration - go wide with your search- be open to lots of ideas and schemes before creating your own (web, blogs, magazines, social media, shops!)

2.Consider how you’ll use the room - a nursery has many stations to consider- cot, rocker, baby changing and storage to name a few. Identify key pieces of furniture that will take up a large portion of the space.

3.Look around - what do you already have, is there existing furniture you have to work with? for me, it was the wardrobe. Accessing what you already have may also determine a style - modern, chic, boho etc. I tend to mix modern classics with vintage finds.

4.Draw up a floor plan, this can be very basic, knowing the size of the space/walls you have to work with will help when it comes to purchasing.

5.Budget - this can be quite daunting with a nursery. The more you look, the more you think you need! Second hand pieces are abundant in great condition. Mixing old and new (with a little diy thrown in) goes a long way. I recommend recording all the essential items the space will need first, leaving you with the budget you will have to decorate and accessorise.

6.Concept - now you have done the research it’s time to visualise the theme!! Think about the colours you have been attracted to, the materials and soft furnishings.

7.Source - do your research, compiling on a spreadsheet works great for this. List items you’re looking for, include a number of sources (up to 3), and their prices. You can then return to the concept to see how it all works together.

8.Create a design scheme - review how your choices look together, i.e. different shades of wood, different styles, consider how it will sit with the rest of the house. Think longevity, wear and tear, study material information.

9.Create a schedule - a list of what needs to be bought, what needs to be done, i.e. buy paint, book decorator etc.

10. Enjoy! - lets make that idea a reality!

Tips and Tricks

  • When purchasing furniture consider pieces that will grow with your needs. A sideboard for storage could also be used as a baby changing table initially. Better to invest in pieces that will last rather than items that have single or limited use.

  • Flooring- rugs are great at providing insulation for hardwood floors, soft on the little ones knees and a great addition of pattern or colour.

  • Space- leaving the centre of the room empty, offers an open and airy place to accommodate play.

  • Floor length curtains with poles wider than the frame will create a sense of luxury in a small space, but make sure they are child safe and can be tucked away.

  • Storage is key with labelled boxes and designated places, this will encourage organisation and make for easier after play clean up!

  • Additional materials to consider- 1)plywood walls - they offer a temporary finished room that can be covered in anything and everything, then removed at a later date. 2)cork walls (underlay) are another alternative to offer more creativity. 3) carpet blocks, again these can be used temporarily on hard floors. 4) ceiling decoration - if you are nervous about decorating walls then try the ceiling it adds interest for the little one (wallpaper or paint).

  • Door - I made the decision to change the door to a stable door, I have a dog so we wanted to prevent her going in and out of the room and wanted a more convenient solution to a baby gate. I can honestly say it’s been one of the best things I did- the bottom of the door can be closed at all times and I can peak in to check while she is sleeping or playing without disturbing. I appreciate this wont work for all schemes, but if you can incorporate it’s life changing!

MAIN MESSAGE - CONSIDER YOUR MATERIALS…

Paint - Little Greene, Matt Emulsion

  • Environmentally-friendly - Water-based - Washable - Great for walls & ceilings - Can even be used on woodwork and radiators - Certified completely safe for children's rooms and furniture ('Toy Paint Regulations' BS EN71-3:2013) - Gloss level 5% (very matt)

Wallpaper - Photowall.co.uk, Premium Option

  • Non woven material - Glue applied to wall - Does not fade in sunlight - Environmentally friendly - PVC-free - Fire rated - Scrape-resistant - Extra matt finish - Anti-reflective - Suitable for cleaning products

    Sources

    Hangers - https://fermliving.com

    Penguin table - https://www.achica.com

    Mirror - https://www.made.com

    Cot - https://www.cuckooland.com

    Cot sheet- https://fredandnoah.com

    Rug - https://lorenacanals.com

jackie Riley