Designing and decorating a baby nursery is one of the most monumental tasks expectant parents face. Besides providing a place for the baby to sleep and play, the nursery is an important place for nurturing during the first couple of years of a baby’s life. The best nurseries are clean and uncluttered, and decorated in a fashion that’s pleasing to both the baby and the parents.

Baby Basics

The furniture is the most important element in a baby nursery. At a minimum, the nursery should include:

• Armoire
• Crib
• Dresser
• Window treatments, such as blinds or curtains, to keep the sun out when the baby is sleeping.

If you only have a very small space for your baby’s room, these four baby basics should suffice. You’ll have a place for the baby to sleep and nursery furniture storage for the baby’s clothing. In a pinch, nursing and diaper changing can take place outside the nursery.

Additional Nursery Furniture

However, if you have a bit more space to work with, you can create a central hub for spending time with your baby. Additional baby basics may include:

• Bassinet or cradle
• Bookshelves
• Changing table (or a dresser/changing table combination)
• Diaper pail
• Laundry hamper
• Playpen or play yard
• Rocking chair or glider for late-night feedings
• Toy chests.

Your baby’s safety is paramount when choosing a crib, cradle or changing table. Make sure this baby furniture is made of quality materials, well-constructed and stands up to current specifications, particularly if you purchase used nursery furniture.

Baby Nursery Bedding

Many expectant parents use their baby nursery bedding as a jumping-off point for decorating the baby’s nursery. For example, a crib set with colorful Disney characters may inspire a Disney-themed nursery, with Mickey Mouse decals on the walls and curtains featuring Pluto and Goofy. Or light blue baby nursery bedding for a baby boy could create a focal point in a room with deep blue walls.

A complete baby nursery bedding set should include the following items:

• Bumper pads, to keep the baby from banging his head or getting limbs caught between the bars of the crib
• Fitted crib sheet
• Mattress cover, to absorb germs from wet diapers or drool.

Although baby nursery bedding sets often come with loose sheets, blankets and pillows, these items should be used for decoration only. Never leave your infant alone in the crib with loose blankets or pillows. Babies lack the muscle control necessary to move a blanket or pillow if it’s blocking an airway. For safety reasons, only the mattress cover, fitted sheet and bumper pads should be in the crib with your baby.