Growing up, only a few of us had an idyllic childhood bedroom. Most of us had to make do with whatever we got given by our parents.
But now that we’re adults, we have so much more choice. Now, we can recreate baby bedrooms for our kids just the way we would have wanted ourselves if we had been the parents all those years ago.
But of course, that begs the question: what does the perfect baby bedroom look like?
We’re glad you asked because that’s what we discuss in this guide. You will learn everything you need to know to create that idyllic setting you crave and give your child a bedroom they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Choose A Joyful Theme
Start by choosing a joyful theme for the bedroom. You want something that will capture your child’s imagination and fill them with wonder. Cool themes include things like the night sky, forests or fairytale landscapes. These have an air of mystery about them that encourages further exploration.
It also helps to give the room a subtle, child-friendly but elegant theme. The goal is to make it look like a kids’ room but also bring in elements from elsewhere in your home to upgrade it and make it more attractive.
For example, most modern parents nowadays choose a Scandi-inspired set-up for kids’ rooms. These immediately look sophisticated while also providing everything their baby needs to fill their lives with joy.
Choose A Calming Color Palette
Next, you’ll want to consider the room’s color palette. This decision will affect the way it looks more than anything else.
Ideally, you want something calming for a baby and a toddler. While it might only have a subtle influence on their behavior, it can be a lifesaver for stressed-out parents.
As such, you’ll want to pick neutral-themed colors. Adding lavender, blues, greens, and yellows are all excellent options in moderation. Dialling back the tones and allowing them to fit in more with neutrals is an excellent strategy (and something you’ll want to focus on when you start painting).
Generally, professionals advise avoiding extremely bright colors in young children’s rooms as these can excite them too much and disturb their sleep patterns. Relaxing neutrals is the way to go usually.
Invest In Safe And Comfortable Furniture
Next, you’ll want to think about the furniture to include in the room. How you do this is, of course, up to you, but you’ll want to add the basics.
The first place to start is with the crib. You’ll need something that meets generally accepted safety practices, including for things like mattress height.
If you’re considering other options, it is well worth reading a blog entitled “Toddler Floor Beds: Pros, Cons, and Tips for Parents.” You want as much information about alternatives as possible so you can make the right decisions. It isn’t always clear which approach is best for your child.
Many parents also invest in a changing table for their child’s room. These are helpful because of their proximity to their living quarters but also the handy storage they have underneath. You can keep all the supplies close by and even a small waste receptacle if you want.
A rocking chair and glider are also good ideas. These are handy if you want to soothe your baby in their bedroom at night without having to carry them back and forth between rooms.
Lastly, you may want a convertible crib that can change shape as your baby grows. These start as conventional cribs and then transform into flat beds as the months and years go by.
Focus On Functional Storage
You also want to focus on functional storage as a parent. Adding shelves and bookcases to your child’s room can make it more attractive and practical.
Sometimes it is nice to buy a bedside table or chest of drawers and put something educational on top of it, like an illuminated globe or telescope. These items can be inspiring to young children and encourage them to take up hobbies and interests that are new to them.
Other options include things like baskets and bins. These are most helpful when your baby is young and makes less of a mess. Wicker and rattan options also fit in with any Scandi theme you choose to employ, making them even more practical.
If you can get dual-purpose storage furniture, buy it. Adding ottomans with in-built drawers or cribs with space underneath can be helpful when you want to keep everything looking minimalist and attractive.
Create A Soothing Ambiance
Next, consider how you will create a soothing ambiance in your baby’s bedroom at night. You want a setup with dimmable lights so you can adjust brightness between play and sleep time.
It’s also worth considering lighting that changes color according to the time of day. Bluer lights are better in the mornings, while redder ones make more sense in the evening. You can sometimes use lighting to adjust your child’s sleep patterns, helping them get into a routine faster than otherwise.
If you want, you can also use night lights. These give the room a relaxing ambiance and conveniently switch on when you walk past, allowing you to see what you’re doing without tripping over any toys.
Add Soft Textures
Adding soft textures to the walls can also help you recreate the baby’s bedroom you had as a child. It’s such a simple intervention, but also something that can make all the difference in the world.
Generally speaking, a baby’s bedrooms focus on plushness. There should be a high level of comfort in these rooms, with cozy blankets and soft furnishings where possible. You could also add rugs if you want to double up the coziness.
Adding plushies with cute expressions can also help. These can function a bit like surrogate parents when you are out of the room, providing comfort to your child if they feel scared when alone.
You can also use machine-washable textiles for easier maintenance. These are handy if your baby is prone to burping or bile.
Make It Playful
Of course, you don’t want the space to be clinical. It’s a baby’s bedroom, so it is critical it also includes friendly, playful elements.
You could start with a small corner for soft toys, books, and sensory activities. These setups are ideal for inspiring your child’s creativity and putting them on the learning path.
Adding a mobile above the crib can also be a good idea. Again, these add sensory enjoyment to spaces and make them more attractive. Modern systems can keep babies entertained for hours, but there’s no reason to spend a lot of money on one if you don’t want to: something simple or even homemade will suffice.
If you want, you could also add a science station to the bedroom. This area could have things like maps, growth chart trackers for your baby’s height, and various orbs or prisms. These can be surprisingly engaging for your young children, helping them develop a love of the natural world.
Make Sure It Is Safe
Finally, you want to ensure that your baby’s space is safe. For example, you could stick rugs to the floor using sticky pads to prevent your baby from tripping up. You should also consider making all curtain coverings cordless to avoid the risk of your baby choking on them.
Installing outlet covers can also help. These stop small fingers from getting in the holes and risking a nasty electric shock.
