Baby Room Makeover

Practical Tips

• Aim to have your baby room ready for your new arrival at least two months before your due date, so you're prepared for an early arrival. Use paints formulated with low- or no-volatile organic compounds and keep the windows open for at least a week to get rid of all potentially toxic fumes from painting or wallpapering. Consider where natural light comes into the room when placing furniture - avoid putting the crib in direct sunlight. Make sure you have plenty of storage in the room for clothes, blankets, toys, diapers and all your newborn essentials.

Color Scheme

• If you don't know whether you're expecting a boy or a girl, stick to safe, neutral colors when decorating. Cream, yellow and green are good unisex colors. You can add pink or blue blankets, cushions, rugs and other accessories after baby is born. For a bold look suitable for both sexes, go for white walls and furniture and add pops of color with bright red, blue, green and yellow bedding and wall art. If you know the sex of your baby, you can opt for the traditional blue for a boy and pink for a girl.

Furniture

• Essentials for your baby room are a crib, a dresser, storage and somewhere for you to sit while feeding and nursing the baby. A changing table is a good investment as it puts far less strain on you to change the baby's diaper in a standing position. Changing tables often come with drawers underneath, which is ideal if space is limited. A glider chair with a foot rest is a comfortable place to feed baby and the gentle gliding motion may help to rock him to sleep.

Accessories

• Accessories are what really gives your baby room personality. A mobile, plush toys, framed prints and a height chart create a warm, comfortable environment for your baby. If your nursery wallpaper or bedding has a theme, look for complementary accessories to create a cohesive look. If you've gone for paint over wallpaper, create focal point with wall stickers. These come in all themes and are perfect for a baby room because they are easy to remove, letting you change the theme as your baby grows older. Ensure all items are installed and used according to best safety practices.