quick clicks

dads today articles

dads today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

The Baby's Nursery

Planning and Creating This Special Room

Part One

By Donna Smith

"Pick a theme that will grow a bit with your child or that you feel like you'd be able to use for your subsequent children," suggests Buchanan.

Are there any themes that are considered "old-fashioned"? "I think the traditional gender-specific themes and color schemes like baby blue and pastel pink have become a bit outdated," says Perera. "More modern styles and colors like hot pinks, lime greens, turquoise, chocolate browns, oranges, greys, and black and whites are the new trends for baby."

Magsamen feels that when you make a look your own, you can update almost anything wonderfully. "Like they say, 'everything old is new again,'" she says.

And don't be afraid to mix and match themes. "If an eclectic feel is your thing, go for it!" says Magsamen.

"Choosing a design direction for any room in the house, even the nursery, is a very personal decision," says Perera. "Pick a theme that you personally enjoy and find soothing or fun. After all, once the baby's born you'll be spending most of your time in the nursery, so you better love it!"

Magsamen agrees. "Trust your instincts," she says. "If it feels right and both parents love it, then go for it."

While many moms may want to jump right into decorating that special space for Baby, it's a good idea to use the first trimester for just planning.

Magsamen advises parents-to-be to use the early stages of pregnancy to start looking in magazines, catalogs and books and begin pulling out looks and feels that they like for the nursery. "They can tape them in a book so they are creating a wish book of sorts," she says. "This allows the parents to discuss, dream and decide on what they really love together."

Want to see more?

• A Dash of Pizzazz: Add Personal Touches to Your Baby's Nursery
• Decorating Baby's Room with a Colorful Canvas: Invite a Rainbow into the Nursery
• A Man's Touch: Designing the Nursery with the Dad-to-be
• Talk about it!