Creating the perfect baby nursery for you and your baby may seem like an overwhelming project, however thinking about a few key areas will help turn a daunting task into a fun, meaningful project with a very rewarding outcome.

Colors & Theme

The first decision you need to make is around the colors you want to use and the overall theme of the nursery.  Consider the following items to help cultivate your room's style:

1. Do I want colors that are designed for a little girl, a little boy or both?  Do I want more than 1 main color?

2. Do I want a Sport's Theme?  Animal Theme?  Floral Theme? This is your opportunity to design a personal space that is uniquely yours and your baby's, so get creative!

3. Do I want a specific 'character' to crop up around the room?  Think Blue's Clues, Winnie the Pooh, a little rubber ducky or the San Francisco Giants.

Painting, Furniture & Decor

Once you have the colors and theme figured out, it's time to turn your vision into a reality and you should start by painting and decorating the walls.  Don't just paint all 4 walls the same color - use them as the canvas to display your overall nursery style! 

Consider your colors/theme and brainstorm different ways to tell your story.  Remember, you are creating a room for your newborn but also for your future toddler, so think beyond just goo-goo, gah-gah!  Different ideas may include:

• Painting 1 wall in your primary color and the other 3 in a neutral, calming shade of cream or pastel
• Painting a "sky" onto the ceiling (pale blue with clouds, perhaps?)
• Painting a neutral background color with bright flowers (in the colors you've chosen of course!) in the foreground.
• Creating some dimension with Wall Decor (consider attaching real wood pickets instead of painting a fence, or just incorporate Framed Art, Wall Hangings, and Borders and Cutouts that help accentuate your theme.)

Once your walls and ceiling are dry, it's time to bring in the furniture!  The basics include a crib, dresser and changing table, but you can also look for additional pieces such as rockers and gliders, a bassinet, and additional storage related items (think of all the toys!)Try to look for pieces that fit the look & feel of your room (consider if the colors you've chosen will look better with white, light or dark wood pieces, for example).  Depending on your personality, you can search for nursery sets or individual pieces.

After ordering (or registering for) your furniture, it's time to think nursery decor.  You'll need bedding, lamps, rugs, mobiles, and so much more!  The world is your oyster when it comes to decor, and there is so much out there that you'll have no trouble finding items that fit your nursery's style.  Consider starting a collection that matches the theme of the room (think bobble heads in a sport's themed room, or different animals if you're doing a safari theme).  Remember to keep the spirit of the room light and happy, regardless of what colors & theme you develop.  The beauty of decor is, you can reinforce the overall room with little items here and there.  It is a really fun way to see it all come together!

Safety

The most important consideration as you see your nursery come together is safety.  Remember that babies turn into mobile little energy bundles that will get their hands on anything and everything.

You can help minimize accidents by baby proofing your nursery with the purchase of such items as outlet (electric plug) covers, "slam stoppers" to put on doors, safety gates, 'corner guards' and so on.  Make sure you inspect your nursery very closely and identify and sharp points or unstable items and secure them before bringing your baby home.  And don't forget a baby monitor so that you can hear what Jr. is up to even when you're in another room!

Books & Toys

Last but not least, your nursery will need lots and lots of books and toys.  Don't forget that books and toys are one of the ways in which your little one will develop, so make sure to get a wide range and variety of items to help with coordination, stimulation and overall learning.  Buy baby Tapes/CDs for musical entertainment, books and videos for visual stimulation, and educational & interactive toys for overall development.  And as a tip, if you get some big plastic tubs for the toys, it will make organizing and cleaning a whole lot easier!