Furnishing your baby's room - how to make it cosy for your little one
Furnishing a baby's room is something that expecting parents think about long before the birth. Of course you want your little one's space to be as comfortable as possible, and adding the right furnishings to their room can achieve this.
A baby's room should not only provide a cosy nest for your little one in the first few months, but should also provide a safe play environment for when they're a toddler. This guide summarises all the important tips to inspire you in designing a baby room that will be perfect for years to come.
Furnishing a baby's room - the must-haves for the perfect room
Every baby's room needs basic furnishings. This includes a bed, a changing table and a chest of drawers for your baby clothes. These basics are important for everything your little one needs: healthy sleep, fresh clothes and a clean nappy.
Cots, co-sleepers and mattresses
A well-furnished baby room should definitely include a good cot. It is important that the bed prevents the baby from falling out - a cot is particularly suitable for this, as it is height-adjustable and ensures better air circulation thanks to the side bars. A co-sleeper for your bedroom is also ideal for when you first bring your baby home. A co-sleeper allows you to keep your baby right next to you at night, so you're there to comfort them quickly when they cry. When choosing a baby mattress, make sure that it is not too soft and is also tested for harmful substances. In general, all furniture in the nursery should have rounded corners and edges to ensure that the baby does not injure itself.
Chest of drawers, wardrobes, changing tables and lighting
A chest of drawers offers space for nappies, a change of clothes and other essentials you might need. It is best to anchor it firmly to the wall so that it cannot fall over. A small wardrobe offers enough storage space for everything else you need for your baby. A changing table is also recommended in the baby's room. This allows you to change your baby quickly during the night. You could also think about child-friendly lighting when furnishing too. Several decentralised lighting elements such as table lamps or wall lamps make the room cosy, while a ceiling lamp provides sufficient light when you are changing and dressing your baby. The ceiling light should be dimmable so that the light is not too bright. Additional night lights create a pleasant atmosphere and prevent you from having to switch on the big light or another brightly lit lamp to breastfeed or change your baby at night.
A cosy corner for the whole family
A cosy corner in your baby's room is a feel-good place for baby and you. It also makes the ideal breastfeeding space. Select a suitable corner of the room and fill it with lots of cushions or place a comfy chair there: add a heat lamp above the changing table or a breastfeeding lamp to keep the space at a cosy temperature. The purchase of a heat lamp is particularly worthwhile if your baby is born in winter or autumn.
Designing a baby's room with the right colours
The colour of your baby's room is particularly important. Since babies are sensitive to both noise and colour, when you start designing the room, you should opt for warm but subtle colours that won't overstimulate them. Light and pastel colours are best. For example, paint the room in a soft light blue or a warm, but not bright, yellow. You should also avoid painting the baby's room shortly before the birth; instead, get it done a few months before. This will allow the paint to evaporate sufficiently so that your baby does not inhale any harmful substances or paint odours in their room. When decorating the walls, pay particular attention to the ceiling, decorate it with a pattern or by attaching mobiles - babies mainly look up at the ceiling in the first few months.
How to create the perfect play area
Babies grow quickly and will soon discover their first games. It's important that you think about a play area early on when furnishing your baby's room. A crawling blanket is also a must and you can make it cosy with a children's rug and lots of cushions, plus a selection toys appropriate for your baby's age. To keep the area tidy, toys can be quickly stored away in boxes, open chests or other suitable storage spaces in the evening. This way you avoid clutter and you can quickly find things when needed.
Here is a shopping list of items to add to your baby's room:
- Baby cot
- Baby mattress
- Baby bed linen
- Changing table and changing mat
- Chest of drawers
- Small wardrobe
- Storage boxes and/or open chests
- Lamps and night lights
- Cuddly blanket or soft rug
- Toys, mobiles & music boxes
