Posted by Michelle Kersey on Thu, Jan 21, 2010 @ 11:44 AM
The Bold and The Beautiful. No, I'm not talking about the long running soap opera, but nursery rooms! The days of whimsical characters and pastels are long gone. They've been replaced by bold, graphic, chic, sophisticated styling. I must admit, I didn't get the memo two years ago with my first. However, this time around, I'm dreaming bold and beautiful!
The biggest colors for furniture right now are dark brown and white. Personally, I'm normally a fan of maple, but the espresso finish is REALLY growing on me! I can't wait to find out the sex of baby#2 so I can finally decide on white or dark brown furniture!
I've been attracted to more of the bold colors used in nurseries today. Turquoise, bright pink, and chocolate brown are some of my favorites. However, there are also more serene colors that look beautiful and can create a bold space when paired with bright accents.
In nurseries, there are two major themes present today, jungle and modern. I'm more drawn to the modern side because I think jungle will only last so far before a young child is tired of it and a major redo is in order. In today's world, we look for longevity. That's why we buy convertible nursery furniture! So, why not make the décor match the furniture as something that will grow with the baby.
I'm a big fan of our local Homearama, where you get to wander though beautifully decorated homes. I have gotten a lot of inspiration for my nursery-to-be from a room that I saw at a Homearama.
Photo from: Homearama
The room is bright, chic, traditional and modern! Switch the bed out for a crib and you can imagine how a space will look good as a nursery and grow with a child.
As illustrated above, graphics on the walls are replacing murals of characters. From stripes, to polka dots, to geometric designs, there are many options. Some treatments can be as simple as vinyl wall appliqués, while others as complex as hand drawn masterpieces.
Here are some of my favorite rooms:
Brown & Teal Nursery
Noah's Nursery on Rate my Space using furniture by Cocoon.
The brown, blue, and white color scheme is extremely trendy right now. And I love how all the walls are painted a different color, but tie together with accessories and the dots. Polka dots aren't just for girls anymore!
Modern Nursery
Photos from Ohdeedoh.
This design on the wall shows a way to bring in letters that will transition with a growing child. The owners of a graphic design studio did this room for their son by projecting the letters on the wall to trace and then paint them. Again, notice the brown, blue, and white color scheme? With the many shades of blue, you can get a completely different vibe from the same general color scheme.
Pink & Brown Nursery
Lilly's Room on Rate my Space
Similar to the rooms above, brown, pink, and white are very popular for a girl. Keep in mind; you don't have to do a bold color or graphics on the walls to get a breathtaking space. Bringing in bright colors through bedding and accessories will give you a similar feel. Also, popular with girl rooms are chandeliers. I love them! Most girls' nurseries are going traditional yet modern, and very chic.
Jungle Chic Nursery
Sawyer's Safari on Rate my Space
OK, I added a jungle room. It's seriously a popular theme right now, so it was hard not to find one that I felt could transition very well into a young child or teen room. Uneven stripes are also a big trend.
If you design smart, and think long term, your child will have a stylish room that others will envy. Choose colors that are bold yet calming, barely there colors just don't cut it anymore. It's all about meshing modern design and chic styling to create an awe-inspiring room. Most of which can be done on a budget and a do-it-yourself mentality!
Posted by Kelly Kuch on Tue, May 05, 2009 @ 05:44 PM
1. Measure the room
Take the time to evaluate your space while imagining your dream nursery. Is your room big or small? Do you have large windows and small closets? Look at the reality of your space; its size and shape will determine what will work best in your room. Write down the dimensions, including the walls, windows, and height of the ceiling. Keep this information handy when you go shopping.
2. Check the Lighting
Make note of how the light changes in the room during different times of the day.Does the morning sun come through your nursery window, or is the room lacking in natural light? Your observation will help you decide the kind of window treatments to purchase as well as the colors to use in the room.
3. Layout the room in a grid
Sketch your nursery floor plan in a grid and note special details in the room. Start by making the crib the focal point of the nursery, and then determine where case pieces and other decorating accessories will be placed. Show your grid to a Baby's Dream retailer. This information will give the sales associates a clear visual of what you want to accomplish.
Use the Virtual Nursery Planner to play with your room layout.
Quick Tips:
- Avoid placing the crib under a window or in direct line with the doorway.Ideally, your crib should be placed on a sidewall. This will keep your baby from being awaken by the light shining through the window and away from the noise of the hallway.
- Keep in mind where the electrical outlets are. You may want to position a dresser near a wall outlet to conveniently plug in a lamp. To avoid small fingertips from being shocked, cover unused outlets with safety plugs.