Curate A Calming Nursery For Your Baby

Learning

Sleep. The dream every new parent is chasing. But how do you tell your baby, with no concept of time, that it’s time to rest so mama can catch up on her Netflix watch list? Start by creating a calming space to send your little one off to the land of nod. We know those early months can be especially up and down when it comes to ensuring both you and your baby get enough rest. Whether you’re still awaiting your little one’s arrival, or they’re already here and you want to get them into that all-important sleep cycle, we have some ideas to help.

Here are some of our must-have pieces and top tips for the newly most important (and stylish) room in the house.

Choose Your Colour Palette

Babies love bright colours. They’re great for engaging their minds and are fundamental to include during the early days of their development and throughout early childhood. Did you know that for the first few months they can only see red, green, orange and yellow? Their developing eyes will only be able to see the full spectrum of the rainbow after four months!

In saying that, while colour is essential, it can be a little stimulating. Muted tones are best for relaxation, so which is right for your nursery? If the goal is to create a calming space to encourage sleep, soft hues are “important for a baby’s brain development because they offer a much-needed rest”, says Dr Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP, the founder and CEO of Happiest Baby. Dr Karp says stimulating colours do help a baby’s brain develop and aid in their learning. Depending on whether you do tummy time in their nursery or in the living room, once they’re all done, we recommend packing the bright colours away. Not only does this keep things tidy for you as parents, but it also removes those engaging elements that can keep young bubs awake.

Store toys elegantly in the Tulip Basket or Lily Basket Set when it’s time to sleep.

Introduce Snuggly Bunkmates

Once they’re a little older, having some company in their crib can be a wonderful way to help them relax and unwind. Babies love tactile toys, so soft textures like fluffy fabrics or soft dolls are a perfect choice. Set them up in bed, read them a story and let them unwind and drift off! Cuddly toys are beneficial for sensory development, emotional growth, and developing social skills. From 12 months +, comfort your little one and encourage them to self-soothe with a snuggly pal.

Whether they’re a brand new arrival or reaching the toddler stage, we have a range of loveable dolls that are suitable for all ages. We’ve designed ours to be the perfect companions that will grow with your baby from the earliest days and throughout childhood to become treasured heirloom pieces they’ll keep for a lifetime.

Sleepovers are more fun with friends!

Create A Space Dedicated To Nappy Changes

Nurseries aren’t just for sleep - they’re multi-functional spaces where you’ll often get your little one dressed and changed - including nappy time. Babies and toddlers are wriggly little things (IYKYK). Keep them safe (and yourself sane) in one of our cult-favourite Changing Baskets. They’re made with ultra-soft cotton inserts for baby’s delicate skin (and are conveniently very easy to wash for any of those common nappy-changing little accidents). At Olli Ella, we selected beautifully neutral shades and patterns for our liners, making for the perfect addition to your calming nursery environment.

Along with being the ideal spot for nappy changes, they also fit seamlessly into bedtime routines. After they’re fresh out of a bath or have had their last feed for the day, you can lay your bub down for a gentle massage to help their tummies settle and digest. Once they’re in their PJs and are feeling nice and sleepy, it’s the perfect opportunity to pop them into bed and put your feet up for a bit.

The best part? Even when the nappy changing days are over, our changing baskets are portable and grow with your littles. When your nappy days are over, use one as a toy basket or coffee table tray.

Waiting on a surprise? Pair your Changing Basket with a gender-neutral Luxe Organic Cotton Liner.

Storage, Storage, Storage

For the tiniest people, babies come with a lot of baggage. Which they incidentally love to spread around the house. Consider portable storage solutions like the Rattan Wamble Walker. Not only is it made for little hands and legs that are still learning to walk and balance, but it also has enough space for all their favourite toys. You can easily store it in the nursery or pop it in the wardrobe when not in use.

As well as toting treasures, the Wamble Walker makes a fabulous companion as your child grows and develops, supporting and encouraging your little one as they explore the world around them. An added bonus – walking with the Wamble Walker will burn off that extra energy before bedtime!

When it comes to storage within your nursery for the more functional pieces, we have plenty of ideas there, too. Wall-mounted options like our Daisy Wall Basket are the perfect choice for those baby-care bits and pieces that you need at bedtime or for nappy changes, while our Rattan Tulip Basket can be used for muslins, toys, or tiny clothes that are ready to go in the wash.