The Nursery Styling Report

Chloe Spillett shares her expert advice for nursery styling.

Of course, not everyone will feel this way. For some, tackling the nursery is daunting. Lots of us opt for the smallest room in the house for the nursery and with such an extensive wishlist, there can be A LOT of stuff to cram into a small space. But it doesn’t have to be a chore. I’m here to help you make informed choices about the products you really need, and while I’m at it, I’ve got some jaw droppingly beautiful options up my sleeve for your nursery styling.

With a background in psychology I’ve always been a firm believer that our surroundings are fundamentally important for our sense of well being and our personal development. This is true not only for baby but for other family members who will be using the space too. The nursery is a place where many memories will be formed, bonding will take place between caregivers and siblings.

The more inspiring the environment you and your baby are in, the more likely you will attach positivity to those memories. And yes, there will be sick and poo; lots of it! But believe me you will even look back on that one day with fondness.

Sleep like a baby…

Where did that expression even come from? Is it meant to be ironic? Hey, you might get lucky, but for most it’s a prepare for the worst and hope for the best type situation. Regardless of whether you’ve got a good sleeper or an all night raver, a cot is an essential piece of kit.

So what’s money well spent? Thing is, it’s hard to tell when your little one is going to be ready to transition from cot to bed (I know you probably don’t want to think about them getting too big, but it happens) and sometimes we think they’re ready before they really are. So to save all that to-ing and fro-ing, a cot-bed is definitely a viable option and can also be kinder on the bank balance long term.

That said, this one is certainly an investment piece but boy does it make a statement! It’s chrome plated and built to last so if you’re planning on larger family it’s well worth considering. Available in a range of colours, it’s a timeless classic.

All Change!

There’s no two ways about it – changing nappies is relentless. Even if you’ve never changed a nappy before in your life (I hadn’t before I became a Mum) you’ll soon be doing it in your sleep.

It’s really important that your baby is safe and that you’re both comfortable.  Although changing tables are a popular choice, they aren’t always a necessity. There are lots of changing baskets and wedge mats available with curved sides to ensure baby can’t roll. This way you can pair with more timeless furniture in your nursery styling, such as a chest of drawers which will still have a place in an older child’s bedroom. Future proofing is always a good idea!

Storage is key

Stuff, stuff, stuff!! Little people come with a lot of baggage.  If you want a relaxing and calming space in your nursery you’ll need to pull out your A game when it comes to storage, but don’t fear- there are plenty of options!

I often get asked about soft toy storage. Cuddly toys are wonderful for development and eliciting role play and nurturing behaviours. As a child I must have had hundreds but the truth is they can also house unwanted bacteria and dust mite and can therefore trigger allergies. I find the best solution to tackle this is to have a few soft toys dotted around the room and place the others in easily accessible storage and then rotate.

These bags are a great option for nursery styling:

For everything else the trusty foldable crate never fails! They come in a range of sizes and are stackable. The hardest part is choosing a colourway!

Learning through play

This last decade has been pivotal for children’s play, toys and accessories. Long gone are the days when the market was completely saturated with unpalatable bright colours and plastic galore. Don’t get me wrong babies love colour and so do I, but I am really enjoying the fact that there are so many products now available that appeal to a wide range of tastes whilst also ticking all the boxes when it comes to play value, developmental aids and nursery styling and beauty.

These are my top picks:

There you have it, a round-up of the nursery styling essentials, with these in mind you’ll have ticked off all the practical elements for your nursery, sleep, change and feed, plus the essential storage. Once these have been chosen you can start to have some fun with accessories; garlands, cushions, a rug (perfect for protecting the carpet), artwork, photos.

Happy Decorating and wishing you a wonderful time getting to know your lovely new baby.

CHLOE SPILLETT

Chloe is an award winning designer, mum of two, owner of Chloe Gets Creative.  After working as a psychology teacher for years and enjoying her passion for interiors on the side, Chloe finally made the move into fulltime design.  After winning the National Prize for “Styled by Me” judged by Sophie Robinson, Chloe knew she was onto more than a hobby and then she went on to win Grand Designs “Under the Stairs” project with a wonderful playful nook, any child’s dream hang out. 

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