Category: Uncategorised

 

Getting a nursery ready for baby is quite simple really…. they need somewhere to sleep after the first 6 months, somewhere to store their clothes and accoutrement, somewhere to have their nappy changed and somewhere to put their toys and books. Think about if you’ll be getting up to feed baby or bringing baby into bed with you, if you’ll be changing baby in their room or the bathroom, if you want them to share with a sibling…

The nursery is probably more for mum than baby so you will also need to consider a feeding chair, maybe even a bed for those nights where you just can’t leave the little one, some artwork and a colour scheme to foster happy nesting time when you are in the nursery. Make it a place you are happy to spend time as you undoubtedly will be.

1- Somewhere To Sleep

For the first 6 months of life baby will be in a Moses basket or cot-side bed in their parents’ room so this is not an immediate need, but setting up a cot in baby’s room before their arrival is advised as those first few months fly by.

There are different types of cot available, some of which can last until your child is around 10 years old. A cot bed’s sides, for instance, can be removed and turned into a toddler bed which allows you to use it for longer than a cot. A cot, on the other hand, is smaller and could allow space for a cosy feeding chair and footstool in the nursery.

Consider colour choice carefully as too vibrant a colour, such as a whole yellow wall, can impede sleep while other colours can soothe and calm.

You’ll need a firm mattress, with a waterproof mattress protector, fitted mattress sheets, flat sheets, cellular blankets, baby sleeping bags, a night light, baby monitor and black out blind or curtain becomes invaluable in the summer months and during day time naps.

2- Somewhere To Store Their Clothes And Accoutrement

Getting a wardrobe that can grow with your child is a great idea, one that fits adult sized hangers and has adjustable shelves would be ideal. I found that I could store nappies and muslins and bibs etc in the wardrobe and bedding, baby grows and vests in a chest of drawers. Both pieces of furniture can stay with your child until they leave for university if you choose wisely!

3- Somewhere To Have Their Nappy Changed

There is a huge array of baby changing stations available. I would always recommend getting one where the changing tray can be removed and the furniture takes on a new life after baby is toilet trained. for example my son’s bookshelves were his changing table, they came with an extended shelf for changing baby which could be removed when no longer needed. he now still has the same bookcase 6 years on. over the cot changers are useful if space is tight, equally over a chest of drawers changers are useful longterm. it may be that you would prefer to change baby in the bathroom in which case a small, open changer would be the most practical.

4- Somewhere To Put Their Toys And Books

Believe it or not your baby will accumulate toys and books even before it is born! you will be showered with gifts and it is always good to have somewhere to put them all. I find storage boxes on shelves to be the most adaptable storage solution, especially for little ones. start your soft toy collection in one, your noisy developmental toys in another basket and your wooden tethers in another and you will be tidy and organised for baby’s arrival.

Once you have met these four requirements for your baby’s immediate needs everything extra is a bonus, but don’t stress your little one’s nursery should be an oasis of calm (or as soothing as possible for those 2am feeds!).

Here are some tips on creating that cosy oasis of calm in your child’s room ready for snuggling through the winter months!

 

Encourage that snuggly feeling

Layering soft furnishings in a reading nook and on the bed is a great way to soften a child’s room. Think beyond this by adding a fluffy, warm rug next to their bed for when they get out of bed first thing on a cold, dark winter’s morning. Think window seats lined with cosy cushions,  floor cushions, a lamb’s skin rug on a desk chair too soften it . The layering of texture is also a great sensory trigger for children and will help them relax and get the idea of calming down and cosying up.

 

Keep them Warm

Make sure duvet is the correct tog and that they are wearing the correct pjs and/or vest.

Make sure to use a tog rating suitable for the season, taking into account the warmth of your child’s bedroom. My son’s room is on the colder side and he runs hot generally so in the winter he sleeps in a vest, pjs and under a 13.5 tog duvet ( we have one that is made of a 9.0 and a 4.5 tog part so that you can use it all year round). Remember babies under 12 months should not be using a duvet. Over 12months they should use a 4.5 tog or less until pre school age when a cosy warm 10 – 13.5 tog can be used until the age of 10.

By the way I thought that I’d sneak in the “vest wearing” seems a little controversial and old school of me but vests really do help to keep anyone of any age warm. There is science backing me up here, by keep your core warm blood flows more freely to your extremities and keeps those warm too. So yes, in the winter (and spring and autumn if I’m honest) my 6 year old son wears a vest.

Cotton bedding could also be swapped for warmer brushed cotton sheets, cotton flannel or jersey knit.

Hang their dressing gown within reach for first thing in the morning and have slippers by their bed.

Consider hanging thicker curtains in a warm colour to keep out drafts, keep the heat in and make the room look warmer. My son has thermal blackout lined curtains all year round and they really do keep out a draft in the winter and keep the glare of the very early morning sun out in the summer.

Books

Well stocked book shelves will serve you well in the winter months especially. There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with a good book and this is an important thing to let your children appreciate. You can help them by making books and a cosy spot accessible to them and you never they may surprise you! I’ve frequently caught my then 5, now 6 year old reading to himself in bed first thing in the morning. I planted this notion in his head buy placing an Ikea spice rack made into a book shelf just over his bed which he can reach and choose his books from.

 

Have some Rainy Day Activities Ready

A stock of good indoor fun for rainy days is essential to keeping the little and not so little ones busy when the weather is just too grim. Admittedly we dress for the weather and get on with our plans regardless as we live in Edinburgh and we’d be housebound for the whole winter if we didn’t! But we also have science experiments, board games, marble runs, electricity sets, martian sand, digging for dinosaurs, junk modelling and all sorts at hand in a special shelf under the window in my little one’s room for that Sunday when you really just can’t face the weather.

 

Accent with Warm Colours

Accent with warm colours be it in the form of decorations or soft furnishings or seasonal artwork  this will jolly up the place during the darker winter months.

 

Lighting

Make sure you have adequate lighting for getting dressed in the morning and for story time at bedtime. A mixture of warm ambient lights and white task lighting will help banish the darkness and suit both morning and evening moods.

 

Scents

Try warming scents like cinnamon, orange, nutmeg and pine throughout the house to help get cosy for winter.

I hope all these tips help you to make your child’s room cosy for winter so that you can enjoy the season together. I’d love to see how you’ve made your child’s room more cosy for winter and hear any thoughts, so please do comment.

I thought I’d give you a few tips on how to easily modernise your children’s room.

 

1- Start with White Walls

To achieve the bare scandi look, it’ll also help make the room look bigger. White provides a very clean backdrop for any colour you choose and works beautifully with wooden finishes.

 

2- Choose a Statement

This could be an amazing piece of furniture or bold colour or both. My son’s shelf of Ninjago Lego hits you as you walk in (not literally obviously as that would be very bad design indeed!) and provides a great statement of bold colours with an Asian theme. In the photo above the statement is the banana wallpaper and accents.

 

3-Curate Toys on Display

Let the items on display tell a story, this could be through a theme like action toys or a tea party or through a colour, like all red or rainbow coloured. Let your child help  in the decision and you will see a sense of pride blossom as they take pride in their belongings. My 6 year old Lego fiend only has Lego on display in his room, all built sets and mini figures, all his own creations are all on dedicated shelves. The rule is it can’t overspill once we have tidied up for the day. All his other toys are put away in their boxes and drawers ready to be played with. Above there is teddy having tea and a selection of wooden toys on display in the house shaped shelf.

 

4- Accent with Nature

Add varnished wood for that clean organised bringing-the-inside-in vibe. Add plants too to enhance this effect and to help your child connect with nature. Incidentally they can look after their plants and thereby gain a tad of responsibility and in turn the plants can help improve air quality which is especially important in towns and cities. Wooden toys are great for so many reasons but especially for that tactile quality. I=In the photo above you see banana leaves used as decoration.

 

5- Display Meaningful Art

Posters of your child’s favourite things or old family photos or your child’s masterpieces. Creating a memory wall of photos of friends and family you rarely see can also provoke thought in your child. Or even an ever changing memory board of photos from holidays or days out provide a lovely focal point and a great way to start conversations with your young child.

These tips should help you to create that Scandi feel and hopefully you will try them out and let me know how you get on!