With a newborn in tow, it’s common to hear the adage the days are long and the years are short. If that’s any indication of the protracted hours you’re going to spend staring at your baby’s nursery decor, chances are you want it to be pleasing to look at it. Thankfully, engaging nursery decor is two-fold, as it also has benefits for bébé. Decor that stimulates can aid in the development of your little one’s mind and senses—hence the reason everything from safari nursery decor to boho nursery decor is so eternally popular. While upgrading your nursery’s necessities is a definite undertaking, the payoff is big. Here, we outline all of the nursery essentials new parents need and reveal how designers imbue them with stylistic merit that stuns.
Crib Goals
The kingpin around which every nursery revolves, of course, is the crib. While arguably the most necessary element in a nursery, it’s also the most at odds with minimalist parents who lament buying any baby gear that won’t bank decades of use. It’s a reality that makes a compelling case for a vintage crib. Vintage nursery decor generally wears a more reasonable price tag than new, making it easier to obtain high-quality for less. Take more accessible pricing as the green light to spring for a statement crib if the notion strikes you. Nothing compares to the drama a statement crib can make in a room, and in nurseries where square footage allows, it can even be floated in the center of the room.
Do-It-All Dresser
Today’s home furnishings industry has given birth to no shortage of convertible changing tables. Still, nothing beats the versatility of a classic dresser. Topped with a changing pad, a dresser holds its own among models specifically engineered for changing. Even better, once your little one can feasibly dress themselves, a dresser is back in the game as a bedroom, office, or entryway ace. (To see just what a vibrant second life a dresser-turned-changing table can have, click here.) Especially if your crib is more demure, a dresser is an excellent opportunity to integrate a vibrant vintage style. Consider Neoclassical, Georgian, or even Art Deco-style dressers. Traditional styles can evolve with your child, transitioning from vintage nursery decor into first apartment decor, if you play your cards right.
Rock Steady
Although oft-overlooked by first-time moms, a barrage of sleepless nights soon makes the rocking chair’s necessity apparent. Desperate times can call for desperate measures, but it’s worth holding off on a trip to your nearest big box store if you can hold out. Not only will a rocker with merit level up your nursery decor style, but it’s also likely to provide a smoother gliding motion. If the throes of sleep deprivation have you ready to order anything with treads, consider a piece of classic nursery decor: the Eames Rocking Chair. Artfully molded to cradle your body while you cradle your babe’s, this rocker works with virtually any decor—from safari nursery decor to boho nursery decor—and transitions easily into playroom and kids’ room schemes.
One to Glow On
When you’re pulling a feeding at 2 AM, the last accompaniment you want is assertive overhead lighting. Floor lamps with low-wattage bulbs are ideal, especially when stationed next to a rocking chair, but they’re not the only option. For something different, consider playful plug-in wall lights. These ambiance lights can function as nursery wall art and bathe a room in a soothing glow. They’re ideal for leaving on in the early hours of the evening prior to your own bedtime. Should you need to pop into the nursery while your baby sleeps, you can avoid fumbling in the dark only to switch on a blindingly bright bulb. As your child matures, these pieces can also be implemented as nightlights. Consider customizing it with your child’s name to create a piece with real staying power.
Show-Off Shelves
Between shower gifts and their own anticipatory buying, few and far between are the new parents with fewer newborn novelties than they know what to do with. Open shelving provides a functional way to display those toys, outfits, and books not yet put into rotation. Hang decorative wall shelves above a rocking chair, or install a bookshelf with plenty of shelves for not just books, but baskets that can be used to stow everything from washcloths to wipes. Alternatively, with a little DIY prowess, you can transform half of a closet into a decorative display case. The latter is a precious way to show off those infant frocks that, as most parents know all too well, get far too little air time.
A Nook For Books
Yes, newborn snuggles are blissful. But ask a number of parents for their fondest memories in the nursery and they’ll say reading aloud to their burgeoning bibliophiles. With that in mind, a reading corner is well worth working into your nursery decor. If a bookcase is too cumbersome for your space, picture ledge shelves stacked over a chair are the perfect way to display board books and picture books. As a bonus, this technique can also double as nursery wall art. If you already have a rocker or glider in your nursery, it can pinch-hit as a reading chair, but as your child grows, you may want to swap it out for something stationary. We will say, nothing transforms storytime into a snuggle sesh quite like a chair and a half.
Dream-Worthy Daybed
All-nighters are invariably a part of parenthood. For those times when heading back to your own bed seems downright laughable, there’s nothing like having a daybed in your baby’s nursery to crash on. Especially if you’re partial to boho nursery decor, a rattan or bamboo daybed can be a compelling way to evoke a bohemian mood. The same goes if you’re looking to tee up a vintage nursery. If you crave a softer element, try a fully upholstered daybed with rolled or fluted arms. Not sure you’re ready to splurge on what might amount to a glorified cot in your baby’s nursery? A daybed can transition effortlessly into an office or guest room. Or, in a two-bedroom or less abode, it can post up in your child’s room for years to host out-of-town guests whenever they drop by.
Room to Grow
While not tangible, allotting room for your child to grow may be the most important element of all. Like it or not, babyhood is fleeting. Nursery decor designed to evolve with your child will prevent the need for resale—or passive-aggressively pawning off on your newly expectant neighbors. Consider designs that can span the years, whether that be using a classic safari chair in lieu of a typical reading chair or employing a handsome floor lamp culled from your living room. Forgo traditional color palettes and integrate upcycled when you can. We’ll be the first to endorse—it’s never too early to introduce baby to vintage!
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Lead photo design by Chauncey Boothby Interiors / Photo by Read McKendree
