The space we create for our children plays a big role in their health. Not enough natural light and that could hurt their developing brains. Too dark of a color and that affects their mood. There are so many aspects that we have to think of as parents, that designing rooms in the homes can seem quite daunting. Especially when it comes to nurseries, we know that a healthy space is imperative; still, how do we know what’s good and what’s harmful? To help new parents out, I’ve come up with a short guide to some common decorating mistakes to avoid for a safer nursery. Check them out!
Flooding the Room With Scents
Everyone wants their room to smell good, but this is something that’s not really necessary—especially when your child’s young. If the room is getting stinky, opt for natural scents. Even cutting open a lemon and leaving it in the room while the baby sleeps or having a vase of lavender will do the trick. When parents choose air fresheners, those do more harm than good, as can a lot of scented candles. For now, keep it to natural scents and natural cleaning supplies.
Choosing Traditional Paints
The color on the walls says a lot about the nursery. We base the color off of our chosen theme and spend a lot of time debating which shade of blue is best. As fun as that is, and as much as a room’s paint color affects its atmosphere, traditional paints are definitely not the way to go! In fact, this is one of the most common decorating mistakes you need to avoid for a safer nursery. One of the biggest tips for painting while pregnant is about choosing safe paints. You have to get choosy not only for the health of your body but also for the health of your baby’s. Pick only non-toxic, low-odor, zero-VOC paints to ensure a healthier environment.
Starting Too Late
You may think it’s too soon, but your nursery design shouldn’t start two weeks before the baby’s due. New paint and furnishings can let off-gas for weeks, so the sooner you paint and the sooner you bring in new furniture, the better. Better yet, keep furniture in a separate space before you bring it into the nursery. Besides, starting sooner will keep stressful decorating at bay!
Dangerous Accessory Placement
Everyone loves artwork in a baby’s room and little hangings to capture the baby’s interest. But the issue here is, they need to be used properly and hung safely. Remember not to put anything heavy directly above the crib. There’s always the chance something could fall, and it’s better to keep that away from the baby.
Forgetting About Window Dangers
So, you went the natural lighting route—good! But now you have to think about how to keep these areas safe for your baby. Windows need to be completely childproof, which means closing seamlessly and free of cords and strings. Therefore, it’s about more than just the windows; it’s about their curtains as well. Make sure that all curtain hardware is securely fitted to the wall. Better yet, keep them shorter so that the baby can’t reach!
