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Nursery School
Finishing the Baby's Room

After the body of the nursery is together, now comes
the fun part - furnishing and finishing it off.
(Don't forget to see part 1 of this article.)

Lighting
The baby's room should have at least one overhead light. A dimmer switch is preferable to vary the intensity of the lighting at night, though a small desk lamp with a shade and a 10- to 15-watt bulb will also serve you well when placed out of baby's reach and positioned to avoid glare. Floor lamps and torchieres – especially halogen uplights - should never be used in a baby's room. The risk of them being knocked or pulled over, together with the fact that they have trailing cords, easily outweigh any benefits.

Heating and Cooling
To help keep the baby at a comfortable temperature, move the baby's crib away from the window and out of the direct path of any heating or air conditioning vents. If you have an exposed radiator, build a grille over it to protect your baby from burns and to improve its appearance. A ceiling fan is an inexpensive way to circulate air in the baby's room, and is especially nice for hot summer nights. Choose a quality brand, like Hunter, as the less expensive fans are often noisy and won't last as long. Space heaters should be kept away from drapes and other furnishings, and only be used when you are present.

Furnishings
Crib: Some families practice the "family bed" and make do without a crib. If you do plan to use a crib, see the Danny Foundation guidelines for what to be aware of and important safety tips.

Bed linens: Bumpers and several sheets are a must for a crib, but don't spend your money on a comforter or pillow for an infant, as they both pose a suffocation risk. A washable, waterproof mattress pad will protect your baby's mattress from the inevitable accidents. You may want to get two, just so one is always ready to go if a change becomes necessary. Some moms always put two sheets on the bed, to make changing simpler, but in reality, wetness can easily penetrate both layers. Special 'bed bibs' - foot-wide pads that tie down onto the sheet - are an option if your baby is a big drooler.

As fun as it may be to set everything up weeks or months in advance, it's better to wash and then keep all bedding, clothing and toys in drawers or vinyl blanket storage bags to ensure they are clean and dust-free for your baby's arrival.

Dressers and bookshelves: To save money, these basic furnishings often can be purchased used and then refinished to your liking. Keep the drawers neat by adding plastic baskets to sort the tiny socks, onesies, pajamas and other outfits. Secure bookshelves, dressers and changing tables to the wall with a couple of brackets and/or screws to avoid an accident if your baby decides to practice climbing on the furniture.

Changing table: The standard changing table offers open shelving below the flat "table" surface. The open shelving is handy to store diapers and other necessities when your baby is an infant, but when he becomes mobile, you'll need to move the powders, creams, wipes and diapers out of reach. Try out a few changing tables to make sure the height is comfortable for you.

There are a two main types of changing pad available: flat, and those with raised edges, and there are benefits to both. With the raised-edge pads, you'll have an easier time keeping baby in the center of the pad and will probably avoid some bumps on the head, but a flat pad offers a lot more flexibility to position your child when changing diapers or getting dressed.

Additionally, a short, wide dresser can double as a changing table with the addition of a pad and a strap. It is very important to always strap your baby onto the table -- even newborns. Their movements are unpredictable and they can be very strong (remember those kicks and punches in-utero?). Always use a washable cover on your pad. These are available in a variety of colors and styles, including those with raised edges sewn into the cover. (King size pillowcases work on most flat table pads.)

A small shelf above or to the side of the changing table is a great place to store diapers, baby wipes and other necessities out of baby's reach.

Rocking chair or glider (and footstool): Many parents consider a rocker invaluable for soothing a tired baby to sleep, and several moms add that the extra money spent to upgrade to a glider was a smart investment. Try them both and see which you prefer.

Diaper pail: For many people, a diaper pail is a necessity. Make sure yours had a lockable lid to keep curious hands out. I have found that deodorizers generally have little effect. Here are some tips to combat that smell:

  • put poopy diapers straight into the outdoor garbage or, if using cloth, rinse them out immediately
  • keep the pail tightly closed
  • use plastic garbage bags as liners
  • regularly empty the pail (especially on hot days)
  • use a few sprays of disinfectant spray inside the pail
  • every few weeks, wash out the pail with a solution of a disinfectant cleaning solution and water

Laundry hamper: Make your life easier by keeping a laundry hamper in your baby's room, preferably near the changing table. A traditional plastic basket (such as those by Rubbermaid) are safe and very practical. If floor space in your nursery is limited, consider hanging a laundry bag on the wall.

Wall hangings: Frame some colorful posters in inexpensive plastic/Lucite frames (secure them to the wall at the top and bottom) to make the room complete. Check out a learning store or teacher's supply center for some fun and educational visual aids, especially for laminated posters that won't need framing. Other great wall decorations include kites, flags, pennants, mirrors and bright plastic clocks.

Mobiles: Nothing says mobiles must be hung only over the crib - they actually provide a great distraction over the changing table, too. Head to your local import shop for mobiles of all kinds, and look especially for the non-traditional ones featuring carved animals, fish or birds, as well as wind-chimes, pinatas and other hanging toys. As with all room decorations, be certain that they are hung securely and kept well out of your child's reach.

Talk about what you are doing to get ready for your newborn on the Preparing for Baby bulletin board -- and also ask our home style specialist your decorating questions in our Lifestyle section!

Take this opportunity to be creative - there are no hard and fast rules about how to make your child's room a happy, inviting place. And when it seems like you're spending too much money or it's too much work, step back for a moment and think about the bigger picture: Your baby is not going to care if your paintwork is patchy, if the furniture isn't new, or even if he arrives before the room is finished. Decorating the nursery should be an enjoyable project - a way for you and your partner to share your excitement about the upcoming event. Let your love and enthusiasm shine through as you create this haven for your newborn.

Online Decorating Resources

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