Creating Your Baby's New Room

Finding the perfect fit for your newborn without knowing their personality can be daunting, but doesn't have to be overwhelming. By following a few simple tips you won't have to worry about whether or not you can accomplish the task...the stress will be gone and you will be on your way to one fabulous new room for your wonderful new addition!

1. Discuss what you do and don't want with your significant other - My husband initially said he didn't care how I did the bedroom, until I started sharing the ideas I had, then his interest peaked and he began to tell me exactly what he didn't want. Knowing this ahead of time, I was prepared for his reactions and grateful for the input. In the end we were able to compromise on certain details and ended up with a room we could both appreciate.

2. Remember that this room, although not permanent, will be unchangeable for a while - I have always been a fan of change. Before I became pregnant I was always changing the furniture in our living room. It became a game to try and make the space larger. When figuring out my son's room the game became, what type of room could I create that I would not grow bored seeing week after week. By utilizing fun colors and simple wall treatments I created a room I loved and didn't get sick of day after day.

3. Think about your child's development - One of the things I wanted to accomplish with my son's room was to make it an environment he within which he could learn and develop skills. The colors I chose were bright and the fabrics I chose contained stripes and shapes. Although babies typically do not begin to associate colors until they are over a year old, having them in his room allowed him to begin to engage with especially during diaper changes when he checks out the colorful walls and artwork.

4. Don't stress - While I was trying to figure out what the theme, color scheme, etc. for the room would be I would stress about the outcome. What if my child
hated it? What if it didn't suit his personality? My family laughed over my quandaries many times and I eventually learned to relax. Your child will love their room because they know nothing else. Their personalities will grow into their rooms just as they grow into the names chosen for them...and once they're old enough to have an opinion, you'll probably be ready to change it again.

5. An opinion is just that...An opinion - One of the most frustrating things about creating the room became listening to opinions. I was deadest against having a "baby" room. My personality goes against typical baby type designs. I did not want a Disney themed room or anything with baby characters or baby colors (light blues, yellows). I was looking for something my newborn could grow into. When I explained that to my mom she thought I was crazy and let me know her feelings. Eventually I would just shrug and say, "That's what we want to do."

There are enough things to worry about when you are pregnant, how to decorate your newborn's room shouldn't be one of them! Following the above guidelines should help you to organize your thoughts and create the room of your dreams!