Contemporary modern

It makes sense to design your nursery to suit the style of your home, making the transition to parenthood slightly easier, and not all of us want rooms bedecked with Winnie The Pooh (love him though we do!) This nursery is ideal for smaller rooms. The base- height adjustable cot has clean modern lines with drawers at the bottom for storage.

The compactum (cupboard and drawer combination) is ideal for clothing, linen and accessories. The space will easily develop into a toddler's den. With easy-access storage, fun colourful rugs and loads of organisational spaces, it is a room that encompasses sleep, storage and, most importantly, play. Besides adding a bit of colour to a nursery, the upholstered foam buffer is ideal to stop baby's head knocking against a wall. This buffer can be customised in length and fabric.

Use a modern sofa-style rocking chair in red bull denim, which is easy to keep clean. Two mini ottomans can be joined to act as a foot rest for mom when feeding and can later be separated as seating for a toddler. These shapes add an element of fun to the room.

The baby swing is ideal for daytime napping. This example bounces up and down as well as from side to side. This modern innovation is available in a variety of colours and can be bought with a stand. Vinyls are a stylish, cost- effective and modern altenative to murals. They are easy to apply and really add a level of fun to a space. Stackable plastic containers are ideal organisers. Children like boundaries and often prefer to play in a space that is tidy. Keep toy storage low to the ground for easy access.

Set a mood

When you're decorating your baby's room, don't forget that lighting is key in creating a calm and tranquil space for you both. Today's nursery lighting options go way beyond the average floor lamp or traditional plug-in nightlight that we all remember. Multi-tasking lights with contemporary designs that allow them to double as furniture - as well as portable options that light the way for night-time potty training - can be clever additions for any nursery.

• Use dimmer switches so you can adjust the light level.


• Avoid lights and lamps where the light shines directly on to your baby's face.


• Think about indirect lighting, which will give the room an open, airy look.


• Forget freestanding floor lamps; they can pose a hazard to exploring babies.


• Do not place lamps on tables or units that can be pulled over by little hands.


• Consider different coloured bulbs.


• Soft, incandescent bulbs are the most soothing.


• Choose low-wattage, compact fluorescent bulbs that produce warm “daylight”.


• Keep all cords out of sight and safe from little hands.


• Always put safety plugs in power outlets.


• If you have a sound system in the room, make sure it is on a high shelf.

Maximise space

Creating an appealing baby's room may not seem so easy if you are short on space. But there are easy ways to create a nursery even without a lot of room to spare. Remember, less is more.

• Avoid dark colours when decorating a small space.


• The darker the walls, the smaller the room will feel.


• Choose light, bright paint.


• Use darker or lighter accents on woodwork, shelves, window frames.


• Free valuable floor space by taking the doors off built-in cupboards and creating a changing area with built-in shelving over.


• Choose the necessities and save on the extras.


• Try multiple storage solutions, such as baskets, boxes, bins and soft floor bags.


• Baskets and plastic boxes come in many sizes ands styles and they're easy for toddlers to remove toys without pinching fingers.


• Consider strong shelving units that can hold storage containers.


• Buy a cot with shelving beneath.

Traditional flare

Although a functional and efficient space, the rich colours in this nursery create a sense of warmth and are very welcoming. A nursery needs to be a space where mom and baby can feel completely comfortable. Keep it simple, keep it basic but let it reflect who you are and your style.

Keep furniture as neutral as possible and add colour with accessories, making it easier to change the room as your baby gets older. Neutral need not be bland - it can feel soothing and calm. The sleigh cot in this room converts to a day bed and the base height is adjustable. It is sprayed with unleaded paint and comes in numerous colours.

Painting a workbench to make a changing table is cost effective and it offers storage space. Make sure it is the right height or you'll get backache. As baby becomes mobile, it's easy access to all his or her favourite toys in the baskets under the bench. The baskets keep clutter at bay and provide textural detail. Washable basket liners add charm and colour. Keep things organised from day one; a trait that your little one will hopefully copy.

A sofa-style rocker may seem like a luxury but it quickly becomes a necessity as late-night feedings take their toll. When feedings are a thing of the past, it's the perfect place for storytime. Besides being a decorative feature, a mosquito net is almost a necessity.

A rug is fantastic for tummy time and becomes a great place to interact with your baby, allowing him or her to get used to their own space. When making purchases, consider the products lifespan within the nursery, keeping in mind the fact that your baby will soon be on the move and playing.

Go green

Many everyday products in your home, including paint, furniture, carpet and even toys, contain chemicals that could compromise your baby's health and development. Using green products, especially in the nursery, can help keep your baby healthy by reducing his exposure to toxic substances. But don't panic: it's not that hard to reduce your baby's exposure - and your own worries.

• Use green products to reduce your baby's exposure to toxins.


• Many products contain chemicals, including phthalates and formaldehyde, which have been linked to cancers, autism, allergies, organ damage and more.


• Make baby's cot as pure as possible.


• Choose a cotton-, wool-filled or hypoallergenic organic mattress.


• Look for a mattress that does not have either vinyl or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover, which can contain plasticisers shown in animal studies to cause cancer, birth defects and organ damage.


• If the mattress smells like a shower curtain, it's probably made with PVC.


• Use sustainable flooring, such as cork or bamboo.


• Recycle furniture.


• Reupholster a comfortable chair that works as a feeding chair and, later, as a snuggy place for stories.


• Pick a non-toxic, green paint.


• Look for a water-based paint with low- or zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can cause eye and respiratory-tract irritation, headaches and dizziness.


• Choose a natural paint that is made with plant dyes, clay, milk casein or beeswax.


• Paint at least a month before baby is due, close the room to the rest of the house and open windows.


• Pregnant mom can choose the paint but she shouldn't apply it.


• Even safer paints may release solvents that pregnant women should not inhale; if you can smell it, it's still releasing.


• Forgo new carpeting; most new carpets emit high levels of VOC.


• Leave existing flooring in place or remove it if there's hardwood beneath.


• A hard surface, such as wood, traps less dust and other allergens.


• An organic cotton rug or off-cut will add warmth and softness to a wooden floor but can be removed for regular cleaning.


• Choose solid wood that is certified sustainable for all wooden products.


• Fill upholstered furniture with natural latex, organic cotton or wool.


• If you're on a budget, hit the second-hand storesor shop online for used furniture.

All together now

If you don't have an extra room for a nursery or just want your new baby to stay close to you, it's easy to turn your own room into a contemporary space in which you, your partner and your baby can happily co-habit. Your bedroom gets a facelift and you get to do some bonding.

• Don't go for decorative touches that are too juvenile.


• Graphic wall art and a contemporary style mobile can add colour and shape that entertain your baby.


• Look out for multifunctional furniture.


• Buy a sleek dresser that has a removable changing table on top.


• Consider a co-sleeping bassinet/cot that attaches to the side of your bed and can be rolled into other rooms.


• Alternatively, look at a small cot that fits into a corner of your bedroom.


• Get smart storage: under-the-bed baskets, movable vertical shelving units, storage with handles.


• Choose a feeding chair that complements the look of your room.

It's in the detail

Even the plainest room can look stunning by taking the time to add a few details - and the more individual the better. It's a wonderful bonding experience for you and your partner to make them together.

• Line ordinary baskets with cheerful, washable basket liners.


• Trim a plain mosquito net with your choice of fabric.


• Buy or make letters and handpaint them with your child's name or words like Love, Hope, Smile...


• Buy art canvasses and stencil simple child-like images (no need to be an artist).


• Rummage through your home (or flea markets) and find pieces that can be restored (a lampshade is easy to recover; make sure you use heat-resistant fabric).


• Make a memory rail using a strip of pine and some doorknobs.


• Take old wooden hangers and re-paint or cover with fabric.


• Use off-cuts of fabric to create flags/bunting that are a fun and colourful accessory.


• Using a piece of soft board, foam, a staple gun and some fabric, make a compactum buffer.


• Use a strip of painted wood, glue plastic clips or pegs and create a memory rail of magical moments.


• Use lettering to place key words around your nursery.


• Make a “cot bag” or teddy bear hammock and tie it over the end of your cot (ideal for storage).


• Alternative vinyls look great on the walls instead of the usual images.


• A baby is inundated with soft toys; use them as décor features (dangle from the edge of the door, along shelving, off the ceiling,
  etc).