Do This, Not That: The Top Nursery Decor Mistakes to Avoid

It's the room where your little one will sleep all by herself for the first time one day. And the room where she'll learn how to stand in her crib all on her own. And the place that will become her sanctuary -- her safe place.

It's her nursery -- a room you're excited to decorate, as the more you decorate it, the more real the birth of your baby becomes to you.

The question is, are you doing it right?

Here's a rundown on the top nursery decor mistakes to avoid. (Read our Nursery Room Decor Project Tips )

Let's jump in!

Choosing Improper Flooring As Part of Your Nursery Decor

This is a major nursery decor mistake particularly when it comes to preserving your soon-arriving baby's health.

Initially, you may assume that carpeting is the best choice for your baby. After all, carpeting would serve as a type of cocoon for her, right?

Unfortunately, carpets can feature some nasty toxic chemicals, like toluene, benzene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. The possible side effects of these chemicals include irritation to your baby's throat, nose, and eyes.

In addition, her red blood cell count could decrease, thus leading to anaemia or causing her bone marrow to be compromised.

Researchers say these chemicals are also linked to leukaemia.

Hardwood flooring that has been covered with a toxic stain or glued down could also have a negative impact on your child's health.

So, what's the best flooring option for your baby's nursery? Try flooring that has a non-volatile organic compound finish. Or stick with untreated carpets or rugs that are made 100% of wool.

Having Unbalanced Wall Furnishings

As you decorate your baby's nursery, one of your main goals should be to achieve a nice flow throughout the room.

An easy way to do this is to watch how you position the room's decor and furniture. Ideally, you want to avoid having all of these items' "visual weight" in a single area. Instead, they should be placed far enough apart to create balance.

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For example, let's say you are putting a crib on one of the nursery's walls. In this situation, you should avoid placing a large drawer set directly next to the crib.

This rule applies to colours, textures, and patterns as well. For instance, make sure that bright and dark colours, decor with a unique texture, and busy patterns aren't placed together. Rather, distribute them evenly for a look and feel that both you and your baby will love.

Going Overboard with Scents

This is yet another mistake that many new parents make when preparing a nursery for their baby.

The reality is, a lot of the air fresheners found in your local supermarket can actually cause harm rather than good. For instance, many feature toluene, which can cause damage to your nerves.

Scented candles are also known to emit carcinogens, and these carcinogens are concentrated if you burn the candles in a confined space.

If you'd like to freshen up your baby's room, you could incorporate a lavender plant into the room's design. Lavender is great at absorbing excess formaldehyde found in the atmosphere while also scenting a room naturally.

In addition, try to avoid toxic cleaning supplies, which can produce noxious fumes -- something your baby doesn't need.

Not Keeping Things Light

Another mistake you'll want to avoid as you decorate your baby's room is keeping the room too dark.

It's good to choose a room that will feature natural light, as this is great for newborns and all other humans. Natural light contains vitamin D, which can help to fight off cancer and have a positive impact on your baby's mood.

Along the same lines, consider using neutral hues on your nursery's ceilings and walls, rather than dark tones. This can help to reduce overstimulation in your child.

Waiting to the Last Minute to Decorate

Many parents wait until the last minute -- like a couple of weeks prior to their baby's arrival -- to start putting together the child's nursery.

In reality, you need to prepare the room much sooner. That's because new furnishings and paint may off-gas for a few weeks.

A smart alternative, though, is to choose a no-VOC paint, stain, and primer for your walls or flooring. Also, try to off-gas any new furniture in your home's garage before you place it in your child's room.

Adding Too Many Colours

Finally, try to avoid incorporating too many colours into your baby's space.

Colour can be fun to display in a child's room, but too many of them in one space will make your baby's room look less cohesive.

So, as a general rule of thumb, try to pick just two or three colours that work well together. Once you have selected your colour scheme, you'll quickly see how beautifully the nursery will come together with those colours alone.

How We Can Help

We're a leading provider of wall decor, including nursery decor for your soon-to-arrive little one.

For instance, in our online store, you can find Nursery wall stickers, including those made of vinyl, as well as wall decals. We also have wall quote stickers and even stickers shaped like dinosaurs and butterflies.

We're especially proud to offer personalised wall art to make your little one feel even more connected to her room as she grows older.

In addition, if you practice Islam, we have a wide assortment of wall art stickers that will keep you encouraged and inspired in your faith as you go about your daily tasks at home.

Get in touch with us to find out more about all of our wall art and how we can add flair and a personal touch to your baby's new room this summer.