As a mom of a 10-month-old boy and an interior designer, I know just how important it is to create a cozy and practical nursery for your little one. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an existing room, these 10 simple tips will help you create the perfect space for your baby, without buying into a culture of excess and needing to have “all the things”.

1. Choose a calm color palette: There is so much psychology in color. Opting for soft colors like warm, creamy neutrals light blue, grays, browns, or greens will create a calm atmosphere, even on those overwhelming days.
2. Invest in sleep solutions that work for everyone: Our son bed-shared with us for the first 9 months of his life, then transitioned to a pack-n-play in our room. This sleep solution is what worked best for our family & functioning daily as full time mama and employee and business owner. But he still takes naps in his crib! We have the IKEA SNIGLAR beech crib, which I found on FB Marketplace secondhand for $50! I love the look and it has adjustable heights for newborn, baby and a toddler bed. We also bought the Newton Baby 100% Breathable Crib Mattress and it was so worth the investment. I can’t explain the peace of mind it has brought both me & my husband!
3. Get a comfortable glider or rocking chair: Guys. I die inside a little every time I sit in our rocking chair. Don’t get me wrong, it is SO cute, but it is the opposite of functional. You’ll be spending a lot of time in this chair, so make sure you have a comfortable place to sit. A glider or rocking chair with a high back, so you can rest your head & comfy armrests, is perfect for rocking your baby to sleep and reading to them.
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4. Add plenty of storage: With all of the baby gear and toys, storage is key. We kept baby items to an absolute minimum and still found ourselves wishing for more storage. We used these pine IKEA IVAR shelves to create a makeshift dresser & changing table, mounted to the wall in Shay’s room. It was the perfect, custom solution to maximize space in a tiny room while also giving us tons of storage space & adjustable shelves that we can alter as we need!
5. Install blackout curtains & cozy lights: Blackout curtains have saved the day during naps, making it easier to get Shay down during the day. He’s already not the best sleeper, so these have helped us a ton. We also have a lamp in the corner for winding down at bedtime, to avoid using overhead lights and help calm Shay’s mind.
6. Make room for play: I believe a home should be reflective of everyone who lives in it, so kids toys shouldn’t just be relocated to the nursery! But, I do love having a play mat and toys in his nursery for play during the day that doesn’t have to be clean all the time. If you don’t have space in your nursery- that is okay! Try to pick an area that’s best for your rhythms and routines, where you aren’t constantly trying to make sure it is neat.
7. Keep safety in mind: When decorating the nursery, make sure you keep safety in mind. Keep cords and loose wires out of reach, and make sure any furniture is securely anchored to the wall.
8. Reduce visual clutter: Finding good storage solutions that work for your space- small or large- is key to reducing visual clutter and overstimulation. I have a whole blog post on this very topic I’ll link here!
9. Add personal touches: Personalizing the nursery with items like photos, artwork, or a special keepsake can make it feel even more cozy and welcoming.
10. Have fun with it: Last but not least, have fun with the design process! Remember, the nursery is a reflection of you and your baby, so make sure it’s a space that you’ll both love.

LoAlbo & Co. is a full-service Interior Design Firm based in Virginia Beach, VA and serving clients all over Hampton Roads and Nationwide. For specialized design help in your nursery and beyond, submit our contact page and we’d love to talk about your upcoming project!