The Basics of Preparing the Baby Nursery

Before you start choosing bedding and matching nightlights, make sure you have the basics of the room ready.

Measure the room and sketch it on paper. Keep a copy in your wallet - you’ll refer to it during many stages of your nursery planning.

Include the heights and widths of the windows, closets, and doors.

Note the locations of electrical outlets, heat and air conditioning vents or systems, and light fixtures.

Take a look at the walls. Is there paneling or wallpaper that you would like to remove? An old coat of paint that needs refreshing?

The fastest and easiest way to create an environment is with paint. The new zero and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints are perfect for the nursery since they are odorless and emit no toxic gases. They also dry fast and cover well. These luscious, environmentally friendly products can be tinted to any color.

As for finishes, forget flat paint and go with eggshells and satins. They’re more durable and easier to clean. When you’re ready to choose a color, paint large samples on your walls and evaluate them during different times of the day. Colors change as the light does.

One coat or two? One might do, so after your first lap around the room, take a look for missed spots and then decide.

You can easily transform a room with wainscot or a simple chair rail. Supplies for either are available from a retailer like Home Depot. If you’d like to create the same kind of impact without hardware, try using a different color paint for the lower half (3 to 4 feet) of the walls – or paint a horizontal stripe around the perimeter of the room.

When your child is a bit older, you can add personality (and fun!) to his or her room by adding chalkboards, dry erase boards, or cork to the bottom half of the walls.

Floor coverings are not just attractive, but they can also cushion a delicate bottom, soften late night cries, and warm up a chilly room. If you have your heart set on wall-to-wall carpeting, pay attention to what the carpet's materials. Synthetic carpet can harbor dust and dirt, and some adhesives may contain V.O.C.’s.

If wall-to-wall carpeting is not in your plans, there are many options to consider. But before you explore your choices, evaluate your floor’s current condition. If you already have carpet, peel back a corner and take a peek. You may find hardwood, cement, or a plywood subfloor. This is your platform and it needs to be in good shape. Seams should be flush. Nails and screw heads must be sunk - you want to be able to vacuum and damp mop a child’s room.

Floor coverings made from natural products are allergen-free and a breeze to clean. These materials include: linoleum, bamboo, and cork.

Cork, the latest in eco-green flooring materials, is a harvested resource that retains warmth and is loaded with air pockets that act as natural shock and sound absorbers. Many cork tiles have no VOCs and come in an array of colors. Installation is very straightforward : You apply adhesive with a roller to a cleaned and prepared surface and glue the tiles down. And just like linoleum, cork cuts with a knife.

Laminates, such as the wood grained styles from Pergo, are popular in children’s rooms. Unlike hardwoods that are nailed into subfloors, laminate floors float on the surface. There are two kinds of laminates: the "snap-together" style, which is easier to install but not as structurally sound, and the "glue-together" type. Both are durable and childproof.

Map out where to place major furniture and necessities. These should include, but are not limited to:

• Crib
• Changing Table
• Dresser (the changing table may be part of this)
• Bookcase
• Toy chest
• Chair/Glider/Rocker

When deciding where to place the crib, consider the following:

WINDOW PLACEMENT

For your baby’s safety, don’t place the crib under a window. Your child will be standing and climbing in no time and windows can lead to a dangerous fall.

FURNITURE NEAR THE CRIB

Sooner than you think, your baby will be reaching out of her crib and grabbing at anything she can get her hands on. If you will be keeping the changing table, dresser, or other furniture near the crib, make sure you do not leave loose fabric, blankets, towels, or small items within baby’s reach.

AIR VENTS

You don’t want hot or cool air blowing on your baby's head. But you also don’t want your little one to get too hot or too cold; 65-70 degrees is the recommended temperature range.

WINDOWS

Most babies sleep best in dark rooms. Look into blackout shades that can go under your drapes or curtains. There are also decorative, light-blocking roman shades are be attractive on their own. As your baby becomes more mobile, he can pull on drapes and curtains, or get tangled in window blind cords. To prevent these potential dangers, avoid using long curtains or drapes and consider cordless blinds or use cord protectors.

LIGHTING

Lighting can help create a soothing environment and you'll want to include both bright and low level settings in your plan. Dimmer controls make it easy to go from playtime to naptime.

SAFETY

If your house is not already equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, look into installing these throughout your home and in the nursery.

REPAIRS

If the room needs any major repairs, such as heating or electrical, take care of them as soon as possible. Once the baby arrives, it will become more difficult to work on these problems.

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