Nursery Design: How you can sleep like a baby, too
Similar to a lot of us, my mental health relies on getting enough sleep. This is even more true when you become a parent. When I was preparing for the birth of my baby girl, I knew the key to my wellbeing would be directly linked to my newborn’s ability to sleep for long stretches at night. As an interior designer with a specialty in psychology, I put on my research hat and found the best evidence-based design tactics to ensure a good night's rest for all. Spoiler alert: it worked!
I am thrilled to pass on some of the best tips and tricks I used when planning my baby’s nursery to ensure we were both well-rested throughout the early stages of her life.
Tip #1 - Nature is nurture. Nature inspired motifs are scientifically proven to reduce stress and cortisol levels, so I included nature-inspired wallpaper as an accent wall.
Tip #2 - Calming colors bring comfort, bold colors do not. Sage greens, creams and light pink colors have strong positive associations with love and contentment and can impact our emotions. I also avoided bold artwork and stimulating colors for newborns (such as black, red and white) that my baby could see from her crib.
Tip #3 - Hello darkness, your needed friend. Blackout shades block the light for a better, longer sleep. Darkness stimulates the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. This helps my baby fall asleep more easily and keeps her asleep in the early morning hours.
Tip #4 - Organization is key: a place for everything and everything in its place. Helpful storage solutions optimized the space so I didn’t have to think twice about where things go. I also work simple organization habits into my evening routine so that each day is a fresh start. Plus, there is no fear of tripping on toys if I need to enter the room at night!
Tip #5 - All senses are considered, including sounds and temperature. Our baby camera has a thermometer on it, so we can make sure the temperature in the room is just right. We also use a white noise machine to mimic the sounds the baby hears in the womb to calm and relax her.
Sweet dreams!
xx
Emily
Foliage wallpaper
Oiled caravan crib
Changing table and dresser
Pom pom hamper
Hatch sound machine
Nanit Pro camera
Striped crib sheets
Changing pad cover
Crib mattress
Waterproof mattress pad
Alphabet toy blocks
Plush bunny
Washable upholstery on chair is Romo Fabrics
Rug is custom Stark Carpet
Window coverings are West Elm linen curtains
Blackout shades are custom roman shades from The Shade Store (fabric is ‘Herringbone Ice’)
Additional Sources:
'Nature's life support system': Fake or real, houseplants are great for mental health https://www.healthing.ca/wellness/mental-health/houseplants-good-anxiety-depression
Color Psychology: Does It Affect How You Feel? https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824
Melatonin, the Hormone of Darkness https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4334454/
The Wonders of White Noise https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-wonders-of-white-noise-2504713
