When you first discover your pregnancy, your mind is suddenly crowded with new hopes, dreams, plans and possibilities. Bringing a child into the world is a wonderful thing and it’s only natural to want to give them the best of everything. That said, giving birth is hardly a cost-free exercise these days. Once all the new baby gear is bought and paid for, there’s little left in the budget for the perfect nursery. However, with some planning, ingenuity and effort, it is still possible to give your baby the nursery they deserve. Read on to find out how…
The important details
Formulating a design scheme for a baby’s nursery is often dictated by the gender of the new arrival. Blue for boys, pink for girls has long been a rule followed by many parents, however, this rather old-fashioned view has recently been superseded by colour schemes in neutral, non- gender specific shades. If you don’t know the gender of your baby, but want to crack on with decorating, select yellows, greens and creams in neutral colours and accessorize later with blue or pink if desired.
Choosing blue or pink for a nursery is still very popular and if you want to get on with designing the nursery before you get too large and tired and also avoid costly re-painting, it’s important to establish the sex of your baby early. With NHS pregnancy scans this is not always possible, so for a definitive answer it is advisable to book in for a private ultrasound scan to tell whether it’s a boy or girl in your tummy. If you live in the Warwickshire area, baby scans in Rugby are simple and straightforward to arrange. Take the guess work out of your pregnancy and allow yourself time to plan the perfect nursery for your precious boy or girl, by taking advantage of private baby scans in Rugby. Fixing up a sexing ultrasound scan with a local private clinic will not effect your entitlement to other pregnancy scans on the NHS, but will merely give you a heads-up for planning the perfect welcome for your newborn.
Keep it simple
To keep the budget for nursery decorating down, it is wise to keep it simple. Give a wide berth to pricey wallpapers, opting instead for stencils or adhesive wall decals at a fraction of the cost. Paints should be lead-free and child friendly and it’s a good idea to choose pastels and soothing shades that will relax baby.
When fitting out a nursery, don’t feel pressured into buying so called ‘essential kit’. Yes of course, you will require a cot, pushchair, and car seat for baby, but items such as changing tables can often be adapted from other pieces of furniture. Why shell out on an expensive changing table when you can adapt a chest of drawers by fixing a padded, wipe down cushion on the top? You will need loads of storage for clothes, nappies, toys etc. so make sure you fit it in everywhere you can. If space is tight, slot attractive storage baskets under the cot and consider suspended storage or fixed shelving for convenience. Accept offers from friends for any baby gear they no longer need and check out baby bargains on e-bay for a vast range of second-hand equipment and gadgetry at a fraction of the cost in the stores. Time spent trawling online baby outlets for second hand kit often pays dividends, giving you more money to spend on decorating the nursery.
Remember to include a comfortable nursing chair or place to sit whilst enjoying quiet time with your baby. For night feeds an easy chair, sofa or recliner will make nocturnal duties relaxed and calm, ensuring you and baby get back to sleep quickly afterwards.
Establish good sleeping habits early by having good light control in the nursery. A black out blind at the window, a dimmer switch on the overhead lights and a soft, table lamp to create a tranquil atmosphere will all help soothe your baby and get them to sleep better.
As they grow, your baby will show more interest in their environment. Include accessories to stimulate such as a mirror, colourful hanging mobiles, photographs on the wall of siblings or family members, interesting light shades and patterned bedding. A comfortable rug for lying on, some big cushions for propping them up and a range of interesting, tactile toys will get their imaginations firing on all cylinders. A nursery that is safe, calm, stimulating and cheerful doesn’t have to cost a fortune. All parents naturally want to provide the best for their children, but all they really need at the end of the day is to be loved and cherish by you – and that doesn’t cost a penny.