When you’re having a baby there are so many things to get ready in preparation for the big arrival. Who knew someone so small could need so many things?

Besides buying the obvious car seat and mandatory diapers, decorating your baby’s nursery should be at the top of your baby “to-do” list.

From nursery décor to crib bedding we want to make sure you have the nursery ready, down to every last detail. Let’s take a look at what you’re going to need as well as some Lambs & Ivy ideas for inspiration.

Baby Nursery Decorating 101

When you’re shopping for your baby’s nursery it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and buy things you don’t need…like a matching doorknob! When you get down to it, these are the things you need for your baby’s nursery:

Crib & Bedding

Some parents choose to put their baby in a co-sleeper when they’re newborns and transfer them to a crib when they’re a couple of months old. In the end, you’re going to need a crib, there’s no getting around it.

Make sure the crib meets all U.S. safety standards. Once you find one that’s safe, look for matching pieces (dresser, changing table, chair, etc.) to complete the look of your nursery.

Expert Design Tip: “I like to choose basic colors for the key pieces of furniture in my nursery. From there, if you want to infuse color, do it with the accessories. You can add pops of color in blankets, pillows, plush, wall décor etc.”

When it comes to bedding, this is where you can make your nursery shine! This is where the focal point of your theme can lie. For example, if you choose our Moonbeams bedding collection for your nursery theme, all of the matching accessories are also available to complete the room. Whatever bedding collection you decide on, you can always add wall decals as an inexpensive way to add a designer touch to complete the nursery.

In the accessory department, don’t forget about the changing pad cover. Try to get one that coordinates with the your bedding set. This way, your theme carries throughout the room. If you’re tight on space, choose a dresser that has a changing top, this way you get a two-for and save space. You can put your changing pad with its matching cover right on top.

Expert Design Tip: “Infuse your nursery with personality and warmth by adding adorable plush, bedding, and blankets all grounded in the same general theme.”

Rocking chair

This is a key addition to your baby’s nursery for whoever is taking care of those feedings in the middle of the night.

Look for fabric that is easy to clean but also compliments the color scheme you have chosen for the room.

Choose a chair with armrests because who knows how long those feedings are going to take!

If you can't find the perfect chair that matches the room, repurpose one in the house by adding matching fabric or a pillow to it.

Expert Design Tip: “Make sure to have a super, cozy blanket on hand to pamper yourself when you’re up late for those middle of the night feedings.”

Storage

You may not think about storage as part of your nursery decor, but you should. While some people may still opt for a storage chest if they have the room in their nursery, more and more parents are leaning towards storage bins that accentuate the nursery theme. This not only saves space but also provides a clean, sleek look.

Bins, like the ones below, are not only functional but also look better than just having diapers and other supplies laying out for everyone to see.

Expert Design Tip: “The key to an organized nursery is storage, storage, storage!”

The baby hamper should be part of your storage as well. You can get one that matches your nursery theme. Many of them look so nice that you forget that there are dirty clothes waiting for you inside!

Floors

If you have hardwood floors in the nursery, a rug can tie the room together. Look for one that accentuates the colors of your bedding and isn’t too busy. If your nursery already has carpeting, you can still add an area rug for a finishing touch.

Wall Paint & Decoration

The walls in the nursery are the setting for all of the wonderful decorations you’re adding to the room. You can really make the walls pop with color and excitement by first adding a fresh coat of paint. This will immediately freshen up the room and give it a clean look. From there, the sky’s the limit!

If you’re artistic you can paint a mural on the nursery walls like this one that was inspired by our Echo collection.

If you’re not that good with a paintbrush, you can still create beautiful artwork with the use of wall decals. They’re less expensive and can be changed easily.

For example, you can create a beautiful woodland tree with adorable animals using our collection of Little Woodland Jumbo Wall Decals that match our Little Woodland Nursery Collection.

This idea can be applied to many of our bedding collections.

Don’t forget the windows!

When you’re paying so much attention to the rest of the nursery décor, you don’t want to forget the windows. You’ll want to include blinds or shades to keep the bright sunshine out so baby can nap during the day. But, you’ll also want to dress up those windows with a matching window valance or curtain that goes with your nursery theme.

A window valance, like this one from our Friendly Forest collection, is an easy addition that can help bring together the nursery theme.

Expert Design Tip: Designing a nursery with interest is all about layering great textures and finishes.

Baby Girl Nursery Decor Ideas

Looking for inspiration? Check out these ideas inspired by our Lambs & Ivy bedding collections, where you can see how all of our nursery decorating ideas come together.

Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty…hello cuteness! Our Hello Kitty bedding collection showcases a beautiful theme for a baby girl, complete with a crib skirt, storage bin, and wall decals.

Little Spirit

Our Little Spirit Nursery Collection gives you a fun, stylish look in coral and teal. Notice all the accessories such as the matching lamp, pillow, plush, mobile, and wall decals to complete this nursery look.

Boy Nursery Decor Ideas

If a bouncing baby boy is in your future, check out these nursery décor ideas.

Oceania

Crib quilt, crib sheet and crib skirt... check.

Musical crib mobile…check.

Wall decals…check.

Matching pillow with diaper stacker…check.

This décor idea from our Oceania Collection provides the perfect nautical themed nursery.

Little Campers

Our Little Campers collection incorporates the idea of a crib skirt, as well as a musical mobile and matching diaper stacker to add just the right amount of décor to this nursery.

Gender Neutral Nursery Decor Ideas

Perhaps you’re not finding out your baby’s gender until you give birth but you also don’t want to wait until he or she is born to decorate the nursery. Here are some ideas:

Signature Goodnight Sheep

Your little boy or girl will love the neutral gray and white, along with the matching nursery lamp, pillow, and blanket that are part of our Signature Goodnight Sheep collection.

Echo

The soft neutral colors of the Echo Crib Bedding Collection creates a fun and whimsical woodland theme for any baby.

When it comes to nursery decorating, let our ideas inspire you to create the perfect room for your little one!

Happy decorating!