Adorning the Walls
The classic idea of what parents do to prepare a baby nursery (besides buying a crib) is to paint the walls. Finding great deals on paint these days isn't hard, and you need not buy top-quality paint with high gloss, especially if you know you'll be re-painting your baby's room within a few years. For safety, keep in mind that the soon-to-be dad should do the painting so as to not expose his pregnant wife to fumes which may be harmful. Lead is no longer a concern in paints, but you may want to ask your local paint dealer about your non-toxic paint options. Instead of painting the room a single color, try using two slightly different paint colors to break up the room into two sections, from the floor up to the middle of the wall and from the ceiling down. Separate these two colors with a band of your chosen trim, and you've got a simple, cheap, yet appealing nursery paint job.Wallpaper is another classic option that can be relatively cheap to purchase and not too difficult to apply. Watch out again for adhesive fumes and other chemicals that may be harmful. Of course, using a mixture of these ideas is also a creative way to decorate, such as putting trim along the top of the newly-painted room or using wallpaper on two opposing walls. Consider whether you'd like to save space for a large, hanging mural in your chosen nursery theme, or if you'll want to paint a mural directly onto the wall. Finish off the room with a baseboard that complements the colors and theme of the room and will protect the foot of the wall once you little one starts crashing little trucks or doll carriages against it.
Furniture Focus
No nursery is complete without the special furniture you're sure to buy for your new arrival. The cornerstone of the room is the baby's bassinet or crib, so choose a wood finish or paint color that adds to your wall decor. Pre-assemble your baby's crib or bassinet and place it where you'd like it to stand. If the master bedroom is adjacent to the nursery, the most functional position for the crib is just on the other side of the wall from mom and dad, so that you can see the baby the instant you peer around the corner.Once the crib is placed, you can then assess how much more room for other furniture you have left. If the room is small, you may want to opt for using the closet space for baby's layette instead of purchasing a dresser, or changing the baby on a floor pad instead of purchasing a changing table. Somewhere in the room you'll surely need a comfortable chair, if not a love seat. Many couples still opt for a rocking chair, which can be both decorative and functional for middle-of-the-night feedings that soothe baby back to sleep. A necessary addition to any rocking chair is a small stool or ottoman which will ease back strain when rocking and holding your baby.