How to prepare a nursery for your new arrival

Few things in life compare to the excitement of welcoming a new addition to your family. But excitement probably isn't the only emotion you're feeling. Getting ready for a newborn can be daunting and the preparations required often seem endless.

Every parent wants to bring their baby home to a calming, functional space that serves all the right needs. Preparing a nursery is a fundamental part of getting your home newborn-ready, but knowing how to do it isn't always easy.

Fortunately, our experts at Hammonds have put together this guide to help you create the perfect sanctuary for the newest member of your family.

Choose a theme

The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing a theme for your nursery. It may not be a priority, but doing this first helps to guide the decoration process. Nursery room inspiration can be sourced from online blogs, magazines and social media platforms such as Pinterest or Instagram.

However, inspiration can come from just about anywhere. If you're a fan of nature and the outdoors, you might want to bring some of that inside with a woodland theme filled with natural, earthy colours.

Alternatively, your favourite TV shows or movies can give you an idea of how to decorate a nursery. Creating a dreamland-inspired space could be perfect to help soothe your little one to sleep.

Decide where furniture is going

The placement of your newborn's cot or crib is much more important than you may realise. It should be kept away from hazards such as wall-hanging frames, shelving, curtains and cords, as well as heat sources such as radiators and direct sunlight.

Other pieces of furniture add further functionality to a nursery. Chests of drawers and storage solutions are ideal for stowing all your baby's essentials, while a changing table gives you a dedicated space to keep them clean and comfortable.

A nursing or rocking chair is another popular addition to help soothe both parent and child through the long days and nights.

Keep the space clutter-free

A clutter-free nursery should help to maintain a calming, tranquil space for your newborn to sleep, but it's also likely to reduce your stress levels as a new parent. Because you won't need any more of that!

Depending on the space you're working with, the best nursery room storage ideas are simple, elegant and functional. Making use of awkward corners and unused vertical space is challenging but always worthwhile.

For example, you can transform a bay window using a comfortable, fitted seat with hidden storage. You'll have somewhere to sit with your little one as well as drawers to store all the essentials.

Add personal touches

Preparing a nursery is all about celebrating a new chapter of your life and looking forward to more cherished moments with your new arrival. Incorporating happy memories and personal touches brings a sense of family and connection, surrounding your baby with love and positivity from the start.

The little touches often make the biggest impact. Bookcases, shelving and chests of drawers adorned with photos and sentimental items are only small features, but they can make a massive difference to the room's character.

Finish with soft furnishings

Soft furnishings are the perfect finishing touches to a nursery. Luxuriously soft blankets and cushions make snuggling up with your baby much more relaxing and fulfilling, while your choice of curtains complements your theme.

A plush rug in the centre of the room adds to the cosiness and prepares a space for your little one to learn and develop once they're able to sit and crawl.

Prepare the perfect nursery with Hammonds

Planning a nursery doesn’t always come instinctively to new parents, so we're here to help you make the most of your space. With the right balance between style, warmth and functionality, you can create the perfect sanctuary for the newest member of your family.

For advice on how fitted storage and furniture solutions could make your life easier, book a free design visit with one of our experts today. Alternatively, get in touch for anything else we can help with.