Inspiring Ideas for Decorating a Gender Neutral Nursery

1. Choose a neutral color palette:

Picking a color palette will give you the design direction to move forward. For a gender neutral nursery pick two or three non–gender specific colors. Warm greys, turquoise, teal, white and yellows are muted yet warm for a baby nursery. Once the baby is born, you can decide to add touches of pinks or blues without making a lot of changes.

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#Gray and #Yellow are great #GenderNeutral #colors for a #nursery. pic.twitter.com/7VSYG4qjXz

— Women First HC (@WomenFirstHC) May 10, 2014

 2. Add personality with texture:

Texture can work wonders in adding depth and personality to the nursery. Look for a textured rug to lay by the crib and layer it with a smaller fur rug. When shopping for clothes or toy hampers, woven baskets are a great way of bringing in texture. Consider soft patterns for the drapes and crib bedding.

If you need a #nursery idea here’s a great #GenderNeutral #woodland theme! https://t.co/7rvqKXRu9o #JoyEverAfter pic.twitter.com/hFlT89OrC7

— Dendor Fine Homes (@DendorFineHomes) March 3, 2016

3. Pull it all together with wall decor:

Wall decals and framed art are a budget-friendly way of infusing character into the nursery. Choose gender neutral decals like polka dots, stripes, stars or animals. Use decals on one wall to avoid going overboard. For the rest of the room, collect a range of pictures that can be framed and used. Framed art is an easy way of introducing a theme and can later be easily replaced to match the personality of your baby girl or boy. You can also consider hanging a couple of family photographs to add a personal touch to the nursery.

When decorating a gender neutral nursery, remember that the baby does not care whether the room is pink or blue. Let your creativity dictate the way forward for you. Create a nursery that you like and will love spending time in.

For more kids’ rooms ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Choose the Right Bed

Beds take up a lot of space and large ones can make small spaces appear cramped. If you have more than one kid, get bunk beds or trundle beds and create additional space in the room. Bunk beds are a good choice for a child’s room because they take up vertical wall space rather than horizontal floor space. A trundle bed is usually smaller than the main bed and slides underneath when not in use. You can pull it out at night and slide it in during the day.

Image by: Tereza Lundáková

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Saving Space in your Kid’s Bedroom:

Closet Organization

Kids have a tendency of cramming everything in their closets haphazardly. With an organized closet, finding things becomes easy and the place stays neat. Get totes in different sizes and help your child store different types of toys. You can put blocks in one tote, dolls in another, and action figures in another. Buy the right size of totes, label them clearly, and place them neatly in the closet.

Image by: Desi Rowland

Buy Multi-functional Furniture Pieces

In a small bedroom, storage becomes all the more important. The key to efficient storage is finding items that can perform multiple tasks. For example, you can buy a bench that functions as a toy box instead of buying a chair and a toy box separately. You can also get a hammock to store soft toys such as stuffed animals. Hang the hammock in a corner of the room and place all the stuffed animals inside. To save more space, get a bed that has a bookshelf at the footboard or headboard.

Image by: Ivy R

In a small bedroom, storage becomes all the more important. The key to efficient storage is finding items that can perform multiple tasks. For example, you can buy a bench that functions as a toy box instead of buying a chair and a toy box separately. You can also get a hammock to store soft toys such as stuffed animals. Hang the hammock in a corner of the room and place all the stuffed animals inside. To save more space, get a bed that has a bookshelf at the footboard or headboard.

Use Over-the-door Hangers

These types of hangers work well in small spaces. Hampers and shoe organizers are some of the things you can hang over the door. You can also use shoe racks for items other than shoes such as books or board games.

While saving space in your child’s bedroom might seem difficult, it can be achieved. Follow these tips and make the most of your kid’s favorite space.

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Last week you enjoyed – ‘Festive Fall Outdoor Entertaining Ideas‘ from Adele Baumann Healey. This week I feature Alison Hayes who gives us ideas for planning the perfect nursery. She is a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room and she helps you get ideas for your new arrival or helps you get inspired to help someone plan theirs!

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #36

‘Planning & Designing the Perfect Baby Nursery’ –  Alison Hayes

Planning a nursery for your bundle of joy is an exciting wonderful experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin.  Here are some helpful tips to assist you in designing that perfect baby room.

Choose a specific theme or style. Selecting a concept or specific idea will help you narrow your focus and create a more cohesive design. This will also save you time and energy making your shopping selections easier.

Choosing a focal point

Decide what your focal point will be. Most nurseries focus on the crib as the center of attention, but there are other options to choose from like a large bay window or a family heirloom, such as an antique rocking horse or painted dresser that draws your focus.

Choose furniture that will grow with your baby. When selecting nursery furniture, think about the long term. Choose cribs that can convert to a toddler’s bed. Instead of a baby dresser, purchase a regular functional dresser that will look stylish in a nursery as well as a kid’s room. For versatile storage buy a bookcase, in the infant years it serves as a convenient place to organize baby items and will transition nicely throughout your child’s growing years. Thinking ahead will ensure you get the most out your money and your space.

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Choosing the right decor elements

Choose a textile before paint color. It can be disappointing to finally find the perfect curtains and baby bedding that you are excited about, but later find out that it clashes with your painted walls. Keep in mind that there are numerous paint colors to choose from, plus you have the option of color matching any object; it is definitely easier to choose your textiles first then buy paint to match it.

Use different levels of lighting.  Install a dimmer for intense overhead lighting. Implement stylish ceiling lights such as chandelier with lampshade coverings. It is also a good idea to have a small accent lamp for a cozy restful ambience, and don’t forget the nightlight for safety and comfort especially during those late night feedings.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Get your nursery underway early, so there will be plenty of time to air our out freshly painted spaces and new furniture smells. Getting a head start with a good design plan will reduce stress and ensure that you will have enough energy to finish the job.

Alison Hayes is an Interior Designer based in Baltimore, Maryland. She has over 10 years’ experience designing commercial spaces. She graduated with honors from Parkville University in Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. She often uses Olioboard in her professional practice and fun and relaxation in her personal time.

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails. That’s what little boys are made of. Needing some inspiration for a fresh, fun boys’ bedroom design ideas for the little boy in your life? Look no further.  Below you will find several darling design ideas that will make your little man jump for joy when he sees his brand new bedroom and all it has to offer!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Image via: Sue Firestone

What little boy isn’t infatuated with anything with wheels? Isn’t your carpet cluttered with everything from Hot Wheels cars and John Deere tractors to Thomas the Train engines and Lightning McQueen?  Why not design a bedroom for your little truck driver that features engines and wheels and everything in between.

Your little boy’s bedroom could be designed based around vehicles in general and anything with wheels, or you can be specific in the design and focus on either trains, trucks, or tractors, etc. If you choose to focus on just one moving machine, start with the bedding. Find bedding that showcases the type of vehicle you have chosen along with the color scheme you like.

For example, in this fire truck bedroom the bedding provides inspiration for the rest of the room design. A barn red and cream color scheme tie in nicely with the color of fire trucks. The artwork above the bed is a definite focal point and really gives the space some charm. Shelving is always an appropriate must have and can be used to display trucks and toys, or books and trinkets.  Always accessorize the space with coordinating lamp shades, floor rugs, and window treatments and you are good to go!

Sports Theme

Image via: Masterpiece Design Group

You can’t go wrong with a sports theme design for a boys’ bedroom. No matter what his age, a bedroom decorated with balls, bats, mitts, and hoops is sure to please.  You can focus on designing his room around his favorite sport, or simply decorate the room in every sport he enjoys.

Try to remember that when designing a little boys’ bedroom, or any room for that matter, you don’t have to go overboard. You don’t even have to be matchy-matchy in terms of artwork, window treatments, or bedding. Just try to make sure everything coordinates, and that there is a definite focal point in the space. Sometimes the focal point is the bed, and other times it may be artwork or window treatments.

In the above room, the statement Less is more rings true. The obvious focal point in the space is the large abstract basketball decal on the wall. Simply bedding with a pop of color in coordinating orange gives the room a very simple but sleek feel. The room is definitely masculine and would be perfect for any young sports’ enthusiast.

Rope and Ride

Image Via: Chad Jackson
 

For that little cowboy in your life, why not give him a room that represents his love for everything cowboy. Ropes, hats, boots, and spurs go a long way when used as bedroom décor for a little guy. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Check out the super cool wood paneled headboard on the bed in the above picture! Rustic and rugged, as well as the perfect place to hang your hat, this headboard serves as a terrific design inspiration for the rest of the room! In addition, the headboard provides an amazing avenue to really personalize the room. And a little boy’s name written with a rope? What’s cowboy wouldn’t love that?

For more kids’ ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether you want to create a space for a new member, or just want to update a kids’ bedroom for a boy and girl, who share the same bedroom, gender-neutral décor is always a safe a bet. A neutral décor is timeless and can be updated easily with minimal redesigning as the child ages. Here are some tips to decorate a kid’s room that works great for either sex.

Image credit: Flickr: Carolina007

Choose a theme

A neutral bedroom gives you an opportunity to pick a theme based on your kid’s interests and personality rather than on gender. Take some time to find out what your kids enjoy and where their talents lie. Some of the most common themes that both girls and boys embrace are jungle theme, space, or sports. Just be sure to avoid overly girlish or boyish themes, such as superheroes or princesses.

Image via: Portraits to the People

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Color scheme

A gender-neutral bedroom gives you the freedom from the traditional blue and pink. You can explore various exciting options such as greens, yellows, purples, or browns. If you are working around a theme, choose a color palette that complements the same. If you are creating a bedroom for older kids, avoid vibrant or bright colors, instead stick with light to medium shades.

Furniture

To stick to the neutral theme, choose simple modern furniture pieces with clean, straight lines. Wooden beds, storage spaces, desks and tables in natural finishes look great. Alternatively, you can opt for versatile color palette such as white, cream, or dark wood grain. Avoid carved, ornate furniture, as it may appear too feminine.

Image via Flickr: Lyndsie H

Linens

Complete the unbiased decor with attractive linen pieces -bed sheets, rugs, and curtains. Choose patterns suitable for both boys and girls such as polka dots, stripes, large geometrical shapes or animal prints. Stay away from bed sets with laces or ruffles as they are generally used for a girl’s bedroom.

When creating a gender-neutral bedroom, make sure to incorporate elements that complement your child’s personality. The more personalized a space is, the less gender specific it needs to be.

For more kids’ bedroom ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Kids’ rooms have come a long way! Do you remember being a kid and drawing on the walls, furniture and whatever wasn’t paper?  For some reason it was therapeutic to do stuff like that and it was another situation when our parents saw our creative expressions.  Those were some great times but now pay back has reared it’s ugly head and our children do it to us but there is a solution to this madness.  And that solution is let them do it to within their rooms.

Graffiti Room

Image via: Scrap Hacker

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Now this idea would have been perfect for our creative venture with the markers and walls.  Graffiti outlined walls without color are great for the kids to fill out in their spare time or when they feel like going out of the box and doing the unordinary. They will enjoy figuring out how to make the image look and flow in a way that expresses and conveys who they are on the inside.

Creative Writing

Image via: Pinterest

Chalkboard walls are a great compromise for everyone.  It is great for the child, if they are more visually oriented and like to creative write,
solve math problems, learn music (jot down the chords) etc. they can see everything that goes through their heads written down in front of them in a more inspirational way.  It is great for the parents because if the child has a forgetful side then you can easily put reminders up for them for the child to see daily.  In case you may not want things to be so permanent you have the ability to erase what you do not want.

Splatter Paint

Image via:  Pretty Inspirational

Now I know that this is not writing however it still would serve the purpose we are trying to accomplish here, which is freedom of expression. Spraying anything is fun, so splatter painting should be even better and it is easy to do.  Basically, all the child would have to do is choose the colors that they would want within the room, clean out the entire room and cover the floors so no paint will get on them, then take the paint brushes, dip them into the paint and flick the paint on to the walls to make a spotted blot look on the walls.

Scrap Book Walls

Image via: Quite Contrary

Now again this is not writing however scrapbooking can allow the child to mix and match different items together for their enjoyment.  Such as fabrics, photos from their life, nature (twigs, leaves, insects, etc.), CDs, label tags, etc. This helps them to pull out what things that describe their character and be able to display that publicly. Plus, throughout the years they can continue to keep adding things to the walls.  As they grow their interests and likes might change so it would be fun to see how their personality modified from the ages of 10 to 16.

Now that some ideas have been put together for how your kids can color outside of the lines and you can save money on the cost of furniture cleaning, try them out and see how they will work out for you!

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Nursery rooms should be a direct reflection of how much wonderment and joy are in store for your little one’s life! The first step is to use inspiring furniture sets. You should take care of the fact that the baby furniture sets should not only enhance the beauty of the room but should be functional as well.

Image via: AFK Furniture

Ensure the Comfort and Safety

While choosing furniture, the comfort and safety of your baby should be your first priority. Babies, especially toddlers, bump and fall frequently. So, apart from ensuring the safety, you also have to avoid buying large furniture that will create hindrance to your child’s free movement. Moreover, avoid furniture items that have sharp, pointed corners. Choose blunt or round-edged furniture, as they will inflict less pain even if your child bumps on them. Be sure that the furniture sets have non-toxic finish, as it will keep your baby safe even if s/he nibbles them during her/his teething phase.

Select Unisex Themed Nursery

It is a good idea to prefer nurseries that do not cater to a specific gender. Instead of designing the nursery for your baby boy or baby girl, pick a unisex theme. For example, use a leafy chandelier along with a golden tree mural beside the crib. It will create a fairy tale themed place that will appeal to both the genders.

Image via: Chad Jackson Photography

Nursery Crib

It is possibly the most important furniture item in the nursery given that your baby will spend a lot of time in it. It is necessary to choose the best as well as the most comfortable crib as you will leave your baby in it when s/he is fast asleep. Strong side bars and sturdy finish is a must so that the baby remains safe after waking up. Some cribs can be used at every phase of a child’s growing up because of having added features. You can also buy cribs with drawers for storing your baby’s items.

Cradles and Bassinets

For infants, bassinets or cradles can be a better option than cribs. This smaller and cozier space can be a comfortable sleeping place for your baby for the first few months. As this furniture is portable, you can move it from room to room. So, it will be easier for you to have a close look on your sleeping baby.

Image via: New Home Charleston

High Backed Chair

It is a necessary if you are a breastfeeding mother. Use soft living room chair and your back will be wreaked after several weeks of hunched over nursing. So, buy a high backed and firm-with-arm-rest chair to protect your back from the stress during breastfeeding. Ensure having a table next to it for keeping glasses of water, snacks, and other necessary stuffs.

The nursery furniture sets come with amazing options in sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. Buy just the basic furniture if your budget is small or choose multi-functional items if the nursery room is tiny. In other words, fix your choice considering what will be the best option for you and your baby.

For more nursery ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

A warm welcome to a new member in the family is a lot of fun. Caring for your new child should start with a comfortable and suitable room. Keep in mind that toddlers need a conducive environment for proper growth and a baby’s nursery is the perfect place to start. This will ensure that your kid is in best developing condition at home.

A lot of nursery designs are available for you to assess and see if it fits your preference. But you have to make sure that comfort and coziness are on top of your priorities. You also have to consider the longevity of the design to suit the needs of your child in the growing up years.

Image via: Regan Baker Design

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Here are some ideas on how to create the perfect nursery:

Child-friendly wall designs

Your walls occupy a huge part of the room. These walls serve as the blackboard for your little child. The choice of design can set the tone or the ambiance of the room. Several studies have proved that the interior design affects the mood of the people living in it. Modern wall designs that are child-friendly are those with environmental themes, educational inputs and geometrical shapes.

Gendered theme

You have to be very careful in choosing your desired theme. It will affect, in a way, the sensitivity or acuity of your growing child. For instance, the color pink is always attributed to female. This color theme should be used accordingly to avoid misconception in the eyes of the child. This kind of strategy is more of intervention rather than perception.

Image via: Jennifer Bishop Design

Choosing the right crib

Almost every child experienced being in the crib. It’s the safe haven of every child during the developmental years. You have to make sure that the crib highlights the whole interior. After all, it’s your child comfort that matters. Modern crib designs such as adjustable mattress, integrated drawers and safe headboards are perfect for your child.

Your child deserves only the best. So, take your time and plan the perfect nursery for the newest member in the family.

For more nursery ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether you have a newborn on the way or have friends and family members who soon will be inviting a little one into their home, there are certain elements you need to make life as a new parent a lot simpler. It’s important to do your research prior to bringing a newborn home and if this is your second child, then you probably already have a good idea in regards to what you need to have. However, there are always new supplies to discover that will make you or your friends feel at ease. If you’re not sure you’ll need some of the supplies listed, it’s better to be prepared than not. Then you’ll have these supplies nearby when getting used to having a new baby in the house.

Image via: Annie Schlechter

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Baby Bedding

Whether you opt for something stylish or something simple, baby bedding is important because it will keep your newborn comfortable and warm. Look for baby bedding that’s made especially for newborns so that it is extra soft on their newborn skin. Have fun decorating and making the crib look special and cozy.

Bouncy Chairs

This is a must-have accessory for a baby. Not only does it entertain them when they won’t stop crying, but it is also ideal for when a mom or dad needs to get chores done. Keep a bouncy chair next to you and keep your baby happy and smiling. Since they’re easy to position so that the baby is sitting right in front of you, it’s much easier to get things done throughout your day!

Bedside Crib

Since being a new parent means having to stay up late hours to feed and nurture a new baby, a bedside crib is recommended. Instead of allowing your child to sleep in your bed (which is not recommended by professionals), keep your baby within arm’s length and position a bedside crib right next to the bed until they’re old enough to place in a nursery in another room.

Bottle Bag Cooler

Since milk must stay cold, why not invest in a bottle bag cooler that will keep your milk cool, whether you are bottle feeding or breastfeeding. Do keep in mind that you will need to figure out the right-sized cooler so that it will fit the type of bottles you already own. This accessory is great for the road and works perfectly for a day trip.

Image via: Mark Ehlen

Baby Lotion and a First Aid Kit

Baby lotion is a must-have accessory for a newborn baby. It keeps their skin soft and helps when rashes appear. It’s also important to have a first aid kit because you never know what you’ll need it for. Band-Aids and thermometers are two items you’ll especially need as your child grows older.

Enjoy being a new parent and use this list as a great gift guide for friends too! It never hurts to be prepared when you’re a new parent; it will make parenting a lot easier.

Sierra is a freelance writer who loves to blog, too! She loves decorating and providing stylish gifts for friends with babies.

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

If you’re someone who lives out on a country plain, you love to watch old western movies, or you have family members who are farmers or even cowboys for a living, then there’s a really big chance that your influence will rub off on the young boy who you love so much.

As you’re in the midst of doing some bedroom decor renovations, perhaps you’re considering giving your son a bit of a western theme and you’re looking for some design ideas that are relatively quick, easy and not super expensive.

Image via: Jean Macrea Interiors

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If so, we have five really great ones that will definitely cater to the little cowboy in your child:

Denim and bandanas.

One look that is really cute is to decorate with a denim and bandana theme. You can paint the walls a dark blue denim color, purchase some curtains that look like red bandanas and frame pictures of cowboys and western landscapes with faux leather.

Ropes and wood.

Another décor approach is to paint the walls in a brown hue that represents wood. It can be a nice complement to some faux hardwood floors. To add to all of the “cabin-like feel”, purchase a big wooden trunk to put his toys in and use a bit of rope to spell his name up above his crib or bed. You can accent all of the brown with some white to make certain elements of the room stand out.

Cow print. 

Nothing says “cowboy” quite like some cow prints, right? If you want to create a look that has only a few hints of a western theme to it, there are throw pillows, rugs for the floor or even bedding that you can purchase that has cow print all over it.

Paint a landscape.

Sometimes when a child has a hard time falling asleep, it helps them to either look at a book or something like some glow-in-the-dark stars in the sky. You can make it extra special for your child by actually hiring someone to come in and paint a western landscape filled with mountains, green land and some horses grazing. By allowing your son to keep a nightlight on, he can fall asleep imagining that he is deep in the west.

Image via: Dyanne Wilson

Cowboy hats and saddles.

Another cool idea consists of collection a lot of different sizes and colors of cowboy hats and hanging them on one of the walls in your son’s room. You can add to that some antique furniture (like a wooden rocking chair), some vintage cowboy decorations and you can even purchase a big stuffed horse and put a real saddle on it for decoration. If you are looking to add a finishing touch with some cowboy hat or saddle bedding, websites like Cabin Place, A Baby and even eBay have many icons that will tell you to ” click here ” for many western-themed options to choose from.

Of course, these are just some of the options that are available to you. Hopefully this gave you the inspiration to perhaps go with one of these ideas or to create one of your very own; one that will make your little cowboy feel like he’s out on the range, both day and night, no matter where he’s from.

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.