Designing a Nursery with Staying Power

Lisa Janvrin, owner of YouthfulNest, has been uploading her gorgeous children’s room designs to our gallery for the last several years, and we are always impressed by what she does. She knows all too well how fleeting a nursery design can feel with baby growing faster than you can believe, but she’s got some tricks up her sleeve for prepping the nursery for an upgrade before your little one is demanding a change in today’s guest post. We’ll let her take it from here.

When preparing for a new baby, you are most likely planning to make a special space for them in your home. Whether it’s in a tiny apartment or a spacious house, there are numerous decisions to make. We want to help you make some savvy choices from the start that will save you time and money in the long run.

These days nurseries are often seen as an extension of the rest of your entire home, so I recommend choosing a style that follows that look and makes you feel good—your newborn won’t be the one enjoying it in the beginning. You’ll have a couple years before they have their own, undeniable personalities and interests. Here are a few things to consider when designing the room for the long run.

For splurge pieces, select items that will work in another room in your home when it is no longer needed in the nursery. In this boy’s room, the glider was replaced with a fun chair for lounging, but the glider could easily be used in a family room.

Keep in mind that smaller décor items such as throw pillows or framed artwork can be easily swapped out when you transition to a toddler room. Be sure to spend less on temporary pieces that you know will likely be moved out in the future.

Selecting a neutral color palette gives you more options when you are ready to upgrade to that big kid bedroom and want to work in new pop colors. We are huge fans of neutrals in the nursery in general. For one, neutrals create a soothing atmosphere, best for encouraging good sleeping habits. (No promises, but every little thing helps!)

Opt to purchase essential baby room pieces that can stick around for years to come. For the crib, we recommend investing in a piece that can be converted into a toddler bed. Many cribs can even convert into a twin or full size bed for even more years of use.

For the changing table, we suggest selecting a classic dresser or credenza with tons of storage and easy access for any age. You won’t have to go through the whole decision making process again or shell out more money on another piece when your child needs something more substantial than a tiny changing table shelf or dresser.

Be sure to share your nursery to big kid transition in the Project Nursery/Project Junior gallery.

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