how should I decorate my baby's nursery?

Question

I'm having a boy, he's due in July but I'm already getting ready! This is my first and I'm overwhelmed lol kinda scared to give birth too.
I was thinking sports theme, but I'm not sure about paint colors... or stripes? Wall mural? I have no idea. But I better get started, any suggestions?
Room dimensions: 12' x 13'6''

Answer 1

I did my son's room in Classic Pooh. That way if I have another child and it is a girl, it can still be used. I would just go with plain white walls and add pictures that can be removed easily.

Answer 2

A few things to remember:

1) Babies can't see soft colors for many months. Unless you paint red stripes, he won't notice or care. Keep it plain, stay away from wallpaper, and don't put much money into it NOW. That will come later when your son decides he loves tractors or trains. Make the transition easier.

2) Try to avoid anything that sticks out or is highlighted. As your son gets older, those may scare him.

3) The biggest thing you need to worry about is to get the basics--crib, changing table, chair. That's it. I would paint the walls as neutral as you can and around May. You don't any fumes lingering.

4) Are you planning on having other kids? Would you mind if your daughter had a sport themed room? If it doesn't bother you, go for it! If it does, try to find things that are gender neutral like a jungle or bug theme.

Answer 3

I had my daughter last July 9th! Everything is so worth it. As far as decorating goes think about investing in a wall treatment, furniture, etc that will grow with him and you could use with different bedding....that will save you money in the long run.

Before you start thinking of a wall treatment such as a mural you need to think about what furniture (crib, comfy chair, changing table, dresser, etc) you will have in the room and where it will be placed. That way you can plan for enough open wall space to really optimize a mural. Murals are great but they can be pricey and dont allow you much flexibility as far as furniture arrangement or even changing the linens for a new look, which you can do if the walls are striped or painted a solid.

We went with a wide 12" vertically around the room alternating a pale coral/pink and another shade that was 2 shades darker. Simple and everyone raves. I know you're having a boy so what about alternating two shades of blue or two shades of khaki. If that will be his room for awhile you will save yourself having to repaint if you change his linens when he goes to a toddler bed!

Heres an example of cute sports bedding...
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_3/601-9779654-7804903?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000LNG29Y

Just as cute as pottery barn but half the price. Stripe the walls with the shades of blue, make the shades close so its not too "circus tent", white ceiling fan, a nice comfy chair for you and you're done. I would keep the window treatment simple, white blinds or a navy curtain panel, you'll save money since the baby theme stuff can get expensive quick!

(I couldnt find bedding I liked (I wanted stuff that we could add to as she got older and not have to change the whole room)so we bought fabric at a great place in Atlanta and my mom made the bumper pad and crib skirt and drapes.) If I had a boy it would have been sports or dogs.

With the furniture we bought things that can grow with her...crib into bed, changing table with hutch into dresser with bookcase, armoire into TV armoire. Your money will go further. We spent more than we planned on, now Target has some great furniture that is very pretty. I will probably get that for the 2nd one.

Good Luck!

edit-My daughters room has the pink wide stripes on the walls, with a floral fabric(yellow, greens, pinks, pale blue) for the bumper pad, pink silk bedskirt, and pale green overstuffed chair, and black furniture. Too matchey cheapens the look, use your creativity and go with a theme but incorporate different fabrics and solids.

Answer 4

I'd suggest paint in neutral colors (white, tan, navy blue) and using removable decorations like Wallie's wallpaper borders, murals and stick ups. Maybe one wall with stripes as a focal point for crib.

Of course, if you or daddy is a big sports fan, go all out! They have mobiles with every major professional and college mascot at Walmart.com, and I'm sure you could find matching lamps, curtains, bedspreads, etc.

We didn't know the gender of our baby, and decided to go with an undersea theme of turquoise and purple. I left the walls alone and made turquoise curtains and valances. For my baby shower I had my friends each decorate a quilt block with ocean animals and sea shells and made a wall hanging for baby's room.

Answer 5

I like the idea of doing a sports or jungle theme. I would probably paint the walls blue for a sports theme and a pastel green for a jungle theme.

But for both of them you could have a professional paint murals on the walls, or you could just do it yourself. I would not do stripes though, it would look too busy. The only way you could do that is if you do a "theme" of stripes, but I suggest something fun and exciting.

It's something to have fun with, and for you to be happy with!

Answer 6

Well, I am due in a couple of weeks. My little girls room is done in "Safari Friends" in memory of Steve Irwin. But if you want a sports them, maybe white walls, blue trim, the normal decorations you find for baby things. Maybe some things to go on the windows to match it.

Answer 7

I like the idea for the sports theme. I would suggest primary colors for the colors you use because babies prefer looking at those colors.

Answer 8

If you're into sports you might want to choose your color scheme according to your favorite team's colors.

Answer 9

GO TO POTTERYBARN.COM THEY HAVE THEMES FOR BOYS THAT YOU CAN STICK TO WHEN THEY GET A LITTLE OLDER. BASEBALL, NAUTICAL, ETC. VERY CUTE!