Because our pregnancy journey was more difficult than expected (read more HERE), I always avoided looking at baby items, clothes, and decor. The second I found out I was finally pregnant I began scouring the internet for beautiful and unique baby clothes, toys, and nursery decor. Today I am sharing the culmination of my nursery design research and provide some peeks into Baby girl Duncan’s nursery! If you are decorating a nursery or simply interested, read along!
Necessary Items to Decorate a Nursery
- Crib – In decorating a nursery, a crib is a necessary evil. My main goal was to get one that could be used for future babies, girl or boy. I really just wanted it to fit my style and be as affordable as possible. Steer clear of big box stores and buy one from Wayfair.com or Overstock.com. I chose THIS one.
- Changing Table – Literally any furniture with a waist-height surface can be a changing table. I believe my Mom is taking care of this for me as she finds and restores furniture. Check out her designs HERE.
- Storage – Simple storage containers to hold necessities including Socks, bloomers, diapers, toiletries, etc. I want 3 storage boxes in a line containing “Teethers/Rattles”, “Pram Toys,” & diapers so that Brad and I can easily pack our diaper bags when we are in a hurry.
- Color Scheme – I love all colors, but my favorite color has always been pink. You do not have to choose a completely obscure color or be extra neutral to be unique. Let your and baby’s style come out through decoration. I am sticking to a mauvy, rose pink shade and beiges in my decor. I will include all colors including pops of black/white, gold, beige, and mustard yellow.
- Curtains – Because we completed remodeled our home, we currently own no blinds or shades. A baby definitely needs at minimum some blinds to keep out bright daylight for naps. I want curtains that are easy to open and fit my design.
- Crib Bedding – For my particular crib, I feel crib bedding will really amp up the look. Therefore I am looking to get 2 bedsheets to rotate between, a bed skirt, and rail guard.
- Pram, Baby bed, or bassinet, etc. – Any item that allows you to do things while baby is checking out the world the first 1-2 months. A safe spot for him/her to lie in the floor while you take a shower!
If Budget Allows:
- Nursing Chair – A comfortable spot for all those feedings and to later read books to baby.
- Mobiles – Again, all baby does the first 6 months is stare up at the ceiling. Mobiles are a precious way to stimulate his or her mind and add interest to baby’s daily life. Finally, they add so much color and height to the room when decorating your own nursery.
- Wallpaper – I love an accent wall behind a crib. By the looks of Pinterest, so does everyone else! Wallpaper is a great way to make a wall pop and appear put-together.
- Rug – If you have hardwood floors, rugs contain warmth and allow baby more soft movement as he ages. I chose a neutral style that is not too bohemian, glam, Persian, etc. Choose a rug that can grow with baby and transition through styles.
- Shelving – A clean space to store decorative items out of baby’s reach until they are old enough to play with these more decorative toys (piggy bank, small wooden pieces, photo frames, nightlight, etc).
- Wall art – A couple picture frames and photos will help bring baby’s room to life! Perhaps a cutesy print, a photo of Mom/Dad, or an abstract piece to add color. I cannot think of a better reason to invest in art than for your mini me!
- Etc. Decoration
Other Needs:
- Stroller – We did a lot of research and decided on the Uppababy Vista 2019 travel set. I purchased it at 20% off, right before the 2020 model came out.
- Car Seat – My main goal was to get the lightest car seat that would match a travel set.
- Dock-a-tot, Snuggle me Organic, or equivalent mobile space to put baby during work. I feel like this will be key in helping my schedule. For example, I can place baby in a portable lounger in my bathroom while I shower.
Planning for the First 6 Months
- Rattles – Let’s be real, besides holding cutesy things that make noise and looking around, babies don’t do much else the first 6 months in regards to play.
- Teethers – My sister’s babies had teeth come in super early and its such an uncomfortable experience for babies. My goal is to have a basket for rattles and a basket for teethers & to grab one of each for our diaper bag at outtings.
- Mobiles – Again, this is something interesting for baby to examine the first 6 months.
- Play mat – Something to lie on and mess with during tummy time, once that comes.
- Play Gym – A play gym is a simple, wooden structure that will hang interchangeable gym and pram toys at which for baby to swat and stare.
- Interchangeable Gym toys/pram toys – Luckily, THESE hooks allow me to swap pram toys and play gym toys between the two.
Needs That Will Come at a Baby Shower
- Clothing
- Hand protective mittens
- Socks
- Hospital Outfit/ Coming Home outfit
- Swaddles
- Diapers
- Baby toiletries
- Sound Machine
- Humidifier
Where I am Shopping for Baby Duncan’s Nursery
- Amazon.com – You can literally find everything you could ever need to decorate a nursery and raise a child on Amazon. I have been able to add most necessary items that were not on Etsy.com on Amazon.com. Amazon.com is easiest for most people, so I created my registry there.
- Maisonette.com – This higher end online baby store has perfectly curated everything from clothing to decor to toys. Can I just register for the entire site!?
- Scandiborn.com – This scandinavian style baby store offers hygge, minimal, simple designs that are all beautiful and high quality. I have quite a few items I am in love with including this HOT AIR BALLOON MUSIC BOX.
- Etsy.com – My goal with baby is to only gift quality, long-lasting gifts of wood and organic parts. I have found so many beautiful items from Etsy. My favorites are linked below.
- TheNaturalBabyco.com – This is an American company that carries the best international wooden toys by Ostheimer and Grimms. As the name implies, they offer a variety of organic, natural baby supplies.
- FatBrainToys.com – These are the attrocious ROYGBIV toys that babies inevitably love for learning, but aren’t exactly the most aesthetically pleasing for my neutral-loving eye. This website organizes learning toys by age and has many options for newborns.
Clothes
- Nordstrom.com
- SpearmintLove.com
- Pehr.com
- Bonpoint.com
- SmockedAuctions.com
- Vann & Liv – Local in Greenville, SC.
Items We are Skipping for Nursery
- Owlet – I’ve read tons of reviews about baby kicking off the electronic sock and sending new parents into a panic a million times a night. I have read more scary testimonials than actual true SIDS scares, so this $300 item is not on my list.
- Hatch Changing Table Weigher – This item seems superfluous to me now. Of course I may change my mind after baby comes, but I am sticking to the moses changing basket and keeping it simple.
- Baby Monitor – Many people go through several monitors that are all mediocre. My sister owns a Nest system that included 3 monitors and is $300. She has one in each of her kids’ rooms. They are mobile, perfectly clear, record movement and noise, send notifications, and are accessible via Wifi at any time, whether she is at the hospital working or simply in another room. I am registering for these rather than a traditional baby monitor as baby monitor technology has not caught up with home monitoring technology.
- The Snoo bassinet – The Snoo is the bougiest of bougiest baby item. It is an electronic, automatic bassinet that has 8 movements. The bassinet notes different types of baby cries and learns which movement to most quickly appease baby back to sleep. It is rentable, but at a $1000 pricetag and reviews that it is extremely hard to transition baby out of it and into crib life, we have decided to pass.
- A million outfits – Baby grows so fast and I am sure I will inevitably gather tons of hand-me-downs. I already have tons of baby clothes that were my own as a child. I bought 8-10 items but plan to buy no more until after baby’s arrival. I would rather purchase new clothes as baby grows and use my money elsewhere.
Baby Duncan’s Moodboard
I see so many people pushing a black, anti-pink sentiment on their babies in a desperate attempt to stand out. I’m sure Baby Duncan will have her own preferences by age 3-4 that will spur a room redesign, so I am sticking to my favorite color pink and embracing textures in her room.
I have linked all the exact items from my moodboard below. I have always loved this abstract, feminine painting by Hayley Mitchell, available at One Kings Lane. I was also immediately in love with this pink, white, and yellow bow mobile by Pehr.com. To break up the pinks I plan to incorporate golds in lighting and her bed and include seagrass, rattan, and wicker pieces for texture and to incorporate beiges.
I painted our nursery Sherwin Williams Chantilly Lace – a true white color that does not pull any hues in day or florescent light. I plan to find a neutral, muted pink to paint the window and baseboard trim. The walls will remain Chantilly White, which I feel will help the decorations pop.
I will create an accent wall behind the crib with either a mural, huge painting, or wallpaper. I will have a changing table and nursing chair the opposing corners from the crib. The nursing chair will have a couple shelves above it and a small end table adjacent for a nursing station.
- Pottery Barn Curtains
- Pottery Barn Floral Lamp
- Pottery Barn Floral Ceiling pendant
- Pottery Barn pink and gold stud storage bins
- Ollie Ella Rattan Seagrass Changing Basket
- Pehr Jolie Mobile
- Hayley Mitchell Mayday Portrait
- Anthropologie Mushroom Hamper or toy bin
- Wayfair Piper Convertible Crib
- Lulu & Georgia x Rylee & Cru Child’s Otomi Print Chair
- Dock-a-tot in La Vie en Rose
- Crate & Barrel acrylic rolling bookcase
- Artipoppe Baby Carrier
- Lulu & Georgia x Rylee & Cru Beige Floral Wallpaper
I see so many people working toward pregnancy, pregnant, or new Moms amongst my groups. I hope this post has been helpful and provided some good websites and places to seek out your own beautiful nursery items. I could literally browse nurseries for hours! Follow my pregnancy journey closer on Instagram and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Have a beautiful week!
With Joy,
Audrey
