5 Decorating Ideas for Sharing a Room with Baby
New and seasoned parents alike sometimes find themselves in a squeeze to make room for a newborn. To create a half-bedroom/half-nursery, you want the space to feel purposeful and beautiful. There are many ways to set up your nursery bedroom. And, you can fuse them with your existing decor to create a cohesive and functional space. Join us at Pottery Barn to use these decorating ideas as your inspiration. They’re great jumping-off points in making a nursery in your bedroom.
1. Be Distinct
Creating dual living spaces that are clearly defined can help you bring order to your bedroom. Set off an alcove or nook as the nursery area with a set of sheer curtains, for instance. They’re easy to install and keep everything open and airy. Or, you might prefer to hang heavy-duty curtains around the perimeter of the crib area to limit sounds during nap time. Architectural features like bookshelves or a stylish divider fit well on a wall or the floor to quickly transform the area. Add inserts, boxes or baskets for storing baby toys, clothes or supplies. If you have limited space, place baby-related items inside your bedroom storage furniture, like a dresser, to keep things organized.
2. Use Color
Go bold or stay comfortable in the neutral zone. Either way, you can select a main shade for the room that draws everything together. Neutrals exude elegance and create a beautiful background for your and your baby’s furniture. Cover the wall behind the crib in a favorable accent color. Or, apply wall decals to create a visible foundation that clearly defines the baby’s space. Even vibrant blankets and pillows can add interest to a neutral space. Install striking baby rugs that are just large enough to fill the area of the room where the crib is. Layer more than one to reduce noise as you tiptoe in and out during naptime checks. Fabric wall hangings also work in the same way while creating beautiful wall art.
3. Get Creative
Take advantage of every square foot of space to make the most of it. In working around space limitations, place a nursing chair or rocking chair in the living room. You might want to forego a traditional changing table. Some take up a lot of floor real estate. Instead, why not convert a sturdy, low-profile dresser into a changing station? You’ll get extra room for storage and far more use out of it, too. Put a padded changing mat on the dresser top with curved edges and secure it safely on the surface. Toss in a changing table runner, hamper or fabric bins to store diapers and nursery necessities to keep everything you’ll need within arm’s reach.
4. Tie in White Noise
Wouldn’t it be nice if noises could disappear every time your child goes to sleep? Turning on a sound machine is much like putting up an invisible force field against sounds that might wake your baby. It creates soothing sounds and a comfortable atmosphere. These elements can help your child experience longer, more restful sleep. Add a small white noise machine in the area of the room where you’re putting the baby’s crib. You might even sleep better with it on at night, too!
5. Reimagine the Closet
When sharing room with newborn, remove winter clothing, coats and unworn items from closets. Tuck them into vacuum packs or under-the-bed storage bins to free up space. Install an extra rail below your shorter garments to give your baby clothes a place to hang. If you have enough space, add in a few plastic storage bins to house shoes and seasonal baby outfits. You don’t have a lot of closet space or none at all? Try keeping everything neatly organized with hanging wall storage. A reach-in closet is also an ideal spot to place a crib or bassinet. Just convert it back when your child is ready for their own bedroom suite.
Sharing a room with your baby is a wonderful way to bond. With these helpful ideas, you’ll transform your bedroom into a welcoming space for you and your child.