How to build a safe, comfortable, and welcoming nursery

Whether it's a simple baby's room or a Montessori one, planning is always an experience full of excitement, a moment to build memories because it marks the beginning of a new phase of the family.easier and more organized. Follow along!

How to set up the nursery?

The stork is coming! Soon a bundle of joy will arrive in your home to increase the family. Of course, you want to be prepared. You can set up a genderless nursery, a feminine nursery or a masculine nursery. There are so many options and, according to Zampere, planning should start early in the pregnancy. Below, the architect answers frequently asked questions on the subject:

What are the steps in designing a nursery?

Marcela Zampere: the baby's room should be planned in the very first months. this way, parents will have time to make the choices calmly. the first two months can be for planning the ideas, creating the project, if you hire an architect, and financial organization. from the third month, the ideal is that the project begins to be implemented. so, between the fourth and fifth month, the room will already beready, and Mom can rest easy.

Is it necessary to hire an architect to make the baby's room?

MZ: Hiring a professional at the beginning of the planning process makes all the difference. He will guide you as to the best arrangement of the furniture in the space, the ideal measurements to make the environment comfortable and practical, besides adding a special touch to the decoration.

What can I do if the budget does not allow for the hiring of an architect?

MZ: If you cannot hire a professional, it is important to measure the room, define what will be used and what needs to be purchased. List the main items and try to define the style of decoration. Remember that, besides being beautiful, the space must be functional. It is advantageous to opt for pieces that can be used for a longer period of time, for example, cribs that turn into beds, dressers that can beused as a TV stand and themed objects that are easy to replace.

What is the average price to build a nursery?

MZ: It is necessary to consider the expenses with furniture, structural intervention, flooring for the room, if there will be children's wallpaper, curtains, carpet, etc. However, for the main items, crib, chest of drawers and closet, I believe that around R$15,000 is enough. Of course there are cheaper and much more expensive pieces of furniture, then,this value is just an average.

How to choose the baby room decoration?

MZ: To choose the baby's room decoration, it is important to consider the space, the parents' taste, the intended theme and the amount to be invested. It is interesting to identify your style, for example: minimalist, classic, vintage, modern, industrial etc. However, the baby's room does not necessarily have to have a specific theme, we can work with colors on the walls and objects, creating variousUsing paintings with geometric or organic shapes is perfect for prolonging the use of the decoration, making small adaptations according to the child's age. This makes the room more timeless than opting for a specific theme.

If you don't intend to use the decoration for many years, investing in a theme can be super fun, for example, a baby room with clouds. Enjoy the moment very much and choose each item with great care.

What is needed for the baby's room?

Some items are essential in a baby's room, both to facilitate daily life and for the nights when the parents will have to support the little one. Below, the architect lists the main items and explains why they are indispensable.

Cradle

The crib is the main item on this list; after all, the baby needs a comfortable and cozy space to catch a nap. Zampere draws attention to some safety and quality aspects:

• The cradle must have an Inmetro certificate, which guarantees the product's quality and the baby's safety. Look for this seal before buying it.
• Take into consideration the size of the crib; you must leave room for circulation and other important furniture.
• If you don't have much space, there are cribs with attached dressers that are adjustable in size and compact.
• Cribs with anti-reflux tilt adjustment are very useful, especially in the first months.

The tips above apply to all models, whether a Provençal crib, a wicker basket, or others.

Dresser

The architect says that many moms consider the chest of drawers an indispensable item, and rightly so:

• The dresser can readily serve as a changing table. If possible, choose a large model to fit hygiene items as well.
• If the dresser is not too big and only fits the changing table, use small hooks, nursery niches, and wall-mounted storage racks.
• Since the dresser is a piece of furniture with great durability, a sober and clean model is perfect to keep up with the child's growth.

This furniture is perfect for storing clothes, toys, diapers, etc. However, you can enhance the decoration with a Montessori bookcase.

Closet

If space allows, a closet is very welcome in the baby's room. To get the choice right, the architect indicates:

• The closet should be chosen in a timeless way, especially if it is custom made, so that it can be used even after the baby is grown.
• Choose a closet in neutral colors, such as white, wood, and gray. This will make it easier to combine with other future furnishings in the decor.
• Models with a trunk are great for storing a significant amount of diapers and other items that can get in the way of movement, such as walkers, suitcases, and seasonal toys.

A planned closet is a great option to optimize space and take advantage of every corner of the room.

Breastfeeding armchair

According to Marcela, the breastfeeding armchair can be a supportive place for mommy to put the baby to sleep. It must be comfortable in the right measure, because it will be used for long hours. For the purchase, the tips are:

• It is essential that the armchair or chair in the nursery is comfortable, but it can be neither too fluffy nor too low, because in the first days mom can feel insecure and uncomfortable due to the birth.
• Before buying, try the armchair, even if the idea is to buy it online, go to a physical store to see the desired model in person.
• This furniture needs to be as safe as possible, especially when it comes to sitting down and getting up. This is one more reason to try out the armchair before you buy.
• If it is a small nursery, opt for rounded models. They are easier to fit into the side of the room and are less damaging to circulation because they do not have corners.

The armchair for the bedroom is also a piece of furniture that can grow with your child. It is perfect for creating the tradition of reading time.

Single bed

The single bed is a real savior for parents during the early hours of the morning, because either one or the other can readily settle down next to the baby, in case he wakes up during the night. "Many people also prefer this option instead of the armchair, of course, when space allows. In this case, a nursing pillow will be very useful," says the architect. To get the choice right, the tips are:

• If the space is small, but the parents will not give up this item, the ideal is to create a custom piece of furniture, like the project in the image above.
• For a neat and tidy look, invest in pillows that match the room's decor.
• A sofa bed is also a great option and, depending on the model, can accommodate up to two people at once.
• Models that have a chest under the mattress or drawers under the mattress support provide an extra place to hide the clutter.

A Montessori bed is also a great idea. You won't have to wait long to replace the crib with it. Some models accommodate an adult perfectly.

Side table

"An essential item when you have a nursing armchair in the bedroom. It is very useful for mom to support a cup or even the baby's bottle," says the professional. To choose the side table, there are not many secrets:

• The less the side table takes up space, the better, so especially if the bedroom is small, choose a compact model that offers a good fit between the armchair and the wall.
• Neutrality becomes indispensable if the furniture chosen is to be thought of in the long term. In the not too distant future, it may function as a side table for the child's bed.

For a long-lasting decoration, a children's desk can replace the side table. However, don't forget, if the room is small, place only the indispensable items. This one, for example, the child will only start to use after a year or so.

Curtain

In addition to the baby room curtains making the room more welcoming, according to Zampere, they are indispensable because they prevent the sun from hitting the baby directly. Thus, to protect him, the ideal is not to place the crib next to the window, also avoiding cold blows. To select an ideal curtain, follow the tips below:

• Ideally, the curtain should not be blinds, this will help the baby to differentiate day from night over time, influencing the sleep routine.
• Curtains in the voal model, besides offering an aesthetic lightness, filter the sunlight entering the room in a pleasant way.
• Avoid curtains with thick fabrics so that the decor doesn't look heavy, unless that is the intention.

There are several models of curtains. Pastel shades are soft and welcoming, so you can bet without fear.

Carpet

In addition to enhancing the decoration, the baby room rug is another item that offers coziness to the room. It can occupy only a specific space of the room or fill the entire open floor - this is a personal choice. The architect's tips for the choice are:

• Be careful with models that accumulate a lot of dust to avoid possible allergies in the baby.
• An easy-to-clean model ensures practicality of room maintenance.
• Choose a model that is comfortable to the touch. During the first year this coziness will be necessary for the parents, but in the future, it will also be necessary for the baby, who will be able to play freely on the piece.

Consider these tips when choosing a rug. models with different shapes, for example a teddy bear, are very cute.

Lighting

"One item that needs to be worked on very well is the lighting, because the different types to be included in the project will serve different functions," explains Marcela. To meet all the functions, the architect's tips are:

• Give preference to luminaires with indirect lights, which illuminate the entire room but do not dazzle the baby's eyes.
• Always have a bedroom sconce or lamp. This will help during the night by preventing the baby from waking up completely.
• The central light should be as warm as possible, so a warm yellow light with a mild temperature is recommended.
• When choosing a lampshade or sconce, give preference to dome models, which create diffused lighting.

The chandelier for the baby's room can also be thematic, with bears, stars, clouds, etc. Just let your creativity run wild and play with the decoration.

Decoration

The decoration is very personal, since the choice is basically a matter of taste and budget. Playful objects and soft colors are the most popular, but striking tones can also appear if the idea is to create a safari nursery. Regardless of the style, the items listed by the professional are decorative, but also serve to optimize the day to day:

• Shelves can be used in decoration, bringing touches of color and playful objects to the room.
• Bedroom niches can also help accommodate diapers and everyday items.
• Both niches and shelves with hooks attached can be useful near the changing table, providing support for clothes and hygiene items.

To ensure a pleasant environment, two things are indispensable: the room must be well aired and well lit. A room free of mold, fungus, and bacteria is, without a doubt, a healthy room for the little resident.

15 nursery pictures to inspire your project

Below you can see a selection of images that bring incredible ideas for the composition of the baby's room. You can write down your favorite designs and use them as inspiration:

1. following a theme is super cute

2. but a gray nursery is timeless

3. if space allows, bet on differentiated elements

4. but with limited space, it is possible to compact the ornaments in niches and shelves

5. imagine yourself cradling the baby in this cozy armchair

6. colorful cushions bring joy to the environment

7. and if they are made of animals, they make the decoration more playful

8. a carabiner to protect baby's sleep

9. see how a spacious chest of drawers can provide different functions in the bedroom

10. a comfortable armchair is essential for mom and baby

11. as well as the pouf for mom to rest her feet

12. the single bed is one more comfort in the space

13. a cozy rug too

14. here the pillows made the bed look like a sofa

15. organizers next to the dresser collaborate even more during the diaper change

If it is two little ones, you can bet on a twin room. It is also possible to use the concept for siblings who will share the same space.

More information about baby rooms in videos

To further enrich your project, check out a selection of videos with tips from professionals who understand children's decoration.

10 functional nursery tips

In this video, you will learn all the tricks to create a practical and functional nursery.

When to Start Laying out the Baby's Room?

Here you will find out when is the right time to set up the baby's room, and learn how to organize a practical schedule to optimize this function during pregnancy.

Baby and Child Room Tips

The architect gives a tour of a twin baby room. In the video, there are incredible tips for setting up a bedroom that ensures practicality in everyday life.

Baby Room Design Step by Step

The professional shows the whole process of designing and building your baby's room, from creating the space on paper to assembling the furniture.

With all the tips noted down, it is easier to put your hand to work to set up a nursery safely and accurately.

Where you can buy nursery furniture

The Internet offers thousands of options for composing a baby's room, including complete modular bedroom kits, with an average price ranging from $700 to $4,300:

1. Mappin
2. Wood Wood
3. Mobly
4. Carrefour

You can also differentiate your decoration with stickers for baby rooms, which are cute, interactive, and can draw the little one's attention and leave the room full of personality.