When planning a nursery, there are a lot of things to consider such as baby proofing, night lights, nursing and feeding area, and changing stations. As parents, we want our children to feel comfortable in their room! What is more comfortable than the idea of floating in the clouds? Drift with us through these 9 tips for the perfect cloud nursery!
You have decided on the cloud theme! Congratulations - that is step one. Done. On to step two. Start with the basics and build onto the ideas. It is normal to get excited by designing and seeing a bunch of decorations that you like that you want to incorporate into the project. To be safe (and save yourself time and money), do not buy the small stuff until you have an idea of what you are doing with the big stuff. Think about elements such as remodeling, furniture, and necessities first, then work in the finishing touches to complement the room.
Putting too many elements into the room can be overwhelming to your baby’s new senses. In general, start with basic design elements such as color and concept. Since we have established a cloud nursery as the concept, all that is left to do to get started is consider color.
Baby’s benefit from contrasting colors. Consider using bright blues to bring in elements of the sky or gold to represent angels flying in the clouds. Studies show that babies see in black and white for the first few months after birth and develop better when exposed to colors that contrast, such as black and white. In addition, when developing a sense of color it is easier for them to distinguish bolder colors. Contrasts can be achieved by using geometric shapes, vinyl decals, painted murals, or wall borders. Ultimately, the decision of color is up to you - whatever you choose, it is sure to bring the room to life.
Of course, you could always pay someone to come to do a custom job for you. However, researching DIY projects and craft sites like Etsy could bring in the perfect perspective or idea to bring your design to life. In addition, they might just have the best cloud baby decor to match your nursery vision.
A cloud nursery design trend that’s currently making its way around the internet includes creating a remote-controlled cloud ceiling. This is achieved by using LED strip lights, craft fluff such as poly-fil, and adhesive. The LED lights are programmed to a remote and run in strands across the ceiling. Craft fluff is then attached over it. When the lights are activated they shine through the “clouds” like lightning. Alternatively, using glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling or a light projector can create a calming effect for the child. Either way, the perfect light source can impact the cloud design and bring it to the next level.
With remodeling out of the way, the design begins to come to life with the furniture! Consider the color scheme you chose in the planning phase and decide how you want each piece of furniture to relate to each other. A good practice is to have one constant that contrasts with the color of the walls. For example, if the walls are a light color with a dark contrast, you would want to carry that balance into the furniture. This could be achieved by having dark wood with light upholstery. These details will bring balance to the nursery while also offering you and your little one a sense of calm and peace.
Finally! We know you’ve been waiting for it… time to accessorize! You have established the wall, floor, and ceiling colors, you’ve done the research and have your design, you chose the lighting, and you have all the necessities in. All that is left is to fill the room with the perfect cloud baby accessories.
Perhaps the most simple and most effective accessories to add to a cloud nursery are the comfort items: pillows and bedding! We don’t just want the nursery to look comfortable, we want it to feel comfortable. Decorative cloud crib cushions or moon and star pillows can help your baby make the connection between their nursery and comfort. This helps set the mood for the whole room from day one! Using complementary bedding will enforce this sense of comfort and security in the room. Remember to remove cushions and pillows from the crib while the baby is sleeping to avoid hazards in the crib. *Pro-tip: a rocking chair makes a great “second home” for baby pillows as decorative throw pillows.
Your baby will likely find themselves up close and personal with the floor through tummy time, crawling, and playtime over the years. Consider adding an area rug to polish off the design of the room and provide an extra (and washable) barrier of protection between your baby and allergens found on the floor.
Similarly, having a throw blanket around isn’t a bad idea. Between the cleanups, temperature changes, nursing demands, and nap times in mommy’s arms, throw blankets can serve plenty of purposes. Beyond that, they can be a fun addition to tie the elements of the room together with a well-placed design.
Depending on what you decided to do with the walls, adding a little art may be the perfect addition to top off the perfect cloud nursery. There are many popular forms of art for baby rooms including framed geometric pictures with animals or characters in them, vinyl decals, and decorative lettering. If you are looking for something to provide a bit of balance to the space, a well-placed image can make all the difference in a room.
You are your own designer. With the right design, you are sure to achieve the perfect cloud nursery. Keep that energy sky-high and blow those cloud designs away!