Congrats on the new baby! What an adorable space. Love your color choices. :o)

Just a reminder that little ones LOVE to pull things off the walls, so I wouldn't put anything above the changing table or crib. You have the perfect room for some wonderful murals or fun painting techniques. I'd definitely take advantage of the opporunity to get creative! Babies grow up, turn into toddlers and get opinions of their own very quickly. :o)

Do you have a theme that you'll be using on the bedding? A favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or toy? You can take your cues from those items for how to decorate the walls...and even the lighting. :o) When one of our DSs decided he LOVED vintage-type cars we bought the 1:16 scale cars, drilled holes through the middle of them and used them on a chandelier.

Thanks persnickety.

Pulling things off walls, or things falling off walls on baby, those are the reasons I'm perplexed about what to do here. I see photos of other people's nurseries and they have stuff hanging on the wall over the crib and it just makes me cringe. Maybe I'm just overly-cautious.

I should add this a craigslist room. No theme. I'm not a theme person. Pretty much all you see in the room is all there is. The sheets I've bought are just blue or green, solid or polka dots. I have no other bedding, though I will probably look for a crib skirt. I don't really bother with bedding since they can't use it anyway. Oh, and I do have a swing-arm wall lamp that I want to mount over the side-table. I was just waiting to make sure I was happy with the table location. That lamp is a bit more substantial than the table lamp there now, and would free up table space and alleviate the worry of knocking over the lamp accidentally.

Cool idea about the cars!

Congratulations on your new little one!

I would do a mural in there. Have you looked at the baby and toddler thread in the gallery for ideas? There are lots of super ones in there.

Blue and green rooms always make me smile!

It seems to me that back in the dark ages when my last baby was born that I had a soft fabric wall hanging over the crib. I didn't have to worry about it falling on him. There's nothing wrong with being over-cautious.

I also love some of those big vinyl stickers that I've seen on Etsy and other places.

Here's a link to a website that I have absolutely no affiliation with whatsoever, I just found it when looking for cool stuff for baby walls.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nursery room decor

Thanks oceanna. I looked at the gallery thread a while back, I'll go back and check it again. Maybe there's something I can copy because I certainly lack creativity in this area.

daisy, I have seen some fabric things but they seemed very baby-ish. I want to stick with little boy stuff instead of baby boy stuff so it lasts longer. I do have a quilt someone made for my older son. I could try that over the changing table, since it's just sitting in a closet anyway. It's pastel colors though so not sure how it will look. I've been trying to get my older son to let me hang some of his creations on the wall, just as posters, but he's doesn't like that idea.

Generally speaking, should I aim for something in the middle of the big blank wall with the chair, table, and crib end? I'm not sure where to hang something on that wall. And if I put something there, and something over the changing table, should I leave the space on either side of the windows blank? (That peg rack is just there because I haven't taken it down yet from when this was a guest room. I don't really have any use for it in the baby's room.)

This is my problem: I can get furniture pieces arranged to my liking in a room, but then I come to a complete stop, not knowing what to do with walls, windows, rugs, etc.

What a cute room! Looks like it's almost ready for the arrival of its owner. How about a big poster-size framed alphabet on the wall behind the chair. That way, he could look at it while you're holding him sitting in the chair, or if he's facing that way in the crib. I actually thought the peg rack was part of your plan. Don't take it down. Its being close to the changing table may turn out very useful. You could also tie yarn around some small stuffed animals (beany-baby sized or larger) and hang them from the peg-rack. Have you thought about a soft ("quiet") rug for the crib area? That might add some color also.....tho it's quite right as it is.

I think wall decals are awesome in nurseries (for the above mentioned safety issues).

Here's an example of some PBK "trees" that are just wall stickers--there are many different companies out there--this is just one that I found quickly.

Congratulations on your new family member!

Here is a link that might be useful: Wall Decals

Bungalow, I just put some new pictures in it tonight. If there's something you want to copy there, if I can, I'd be happy to help you learn how. We artists have our ways.

Congrats!

I hung the comforter that came with my crib bedding set on the wall with quilt clips. All this time spent trying to find the perfect crib set and I realize I can't have any loose bedding in the crib anyway. So, I figured I might as well get to look at it...Not to mention I chose all the other colors in the room around the comforter design.

I also hung unframed canvas art over the changing table bc I was afraid of a heavy glass and wood frame falling on the baby. I hung it at a safe height to avoid any accidents, but should it happen to fall it was so light that the baby would not get seriously hurt. Didn't really matter though bc I never used the changing table much...I have always found it more comfortable to change my babies on the floor on a changing mat. ;-)

Best wishes. I love the colors in your nursery.

Is this a first baby? I ask because I'm catching some clues perhaps, but then you confuse me by knowing they really don't use the fancy bedding LOL so I'll answer as if it's the first child and hope you'll forgive me if this is redundant.

First, leave the peg rack :) You'll find that children need peg racks! That one is in such a nice position to hang a fabric diaper holder that also holds the wipes and other incidentals close at hand (when you're balancing a small child on a changing table you won't want to be pulling out baskets to access things).

Behind the changing table you could put one of the back of the door mirrors at baby height (laying down). Hang it legnthwise so baby can watch itself. You will not be using the changing table for changing by the time the child is big enough to try to pull on it. You might also consider a mobile on the changing table...it's a huge benefit when they're small to occupy them.

I have things behind the crib (and did behind the changing table). They're well hung and out of baby's reach...heck they're out of my 3 year olds reach still. There's plenty of room to decorate on that wall above the baby's head, and even if you have a tiny child like mine, they'll be out of the crib before they can reach high enough to get anything up at least two feet from the crib top. And everything hung over a crib should be hung on appropriate picture hangers so they won't shake loose in an earthquake (the same for that mirror). You could also velcro the mirror (use double sided velcro and stick it to the wall. Really, that one thing will make changing so much easier :) I changed dozens of diapers a day...I'm an expert on poop time :oP

I'd put that quilt you have on the big blank wall on the back side. Again hang high and hang properly :) Kids love to swing on curtains LOL Oh and curtains...you need to put up something to block the light most likely. I love the little window, but for nap time it might be a bit bright...some kids that does not matter to, some it does.

I love the color of the room. I'm thinking of doing something similar for my son's room in Wa in that color. I'll add stick on wall decals (easily removable). If you want to plan in advance, I and every mother of a child born in the last five years, can probably attest to the universal appeal of Thomas the Train to little boys. Stick some Thomas decals on the wall and your little one will eventually be quite happy with them (and not care when he's born LOL).

The room looks like a lovely little nursery. I can see you sitting in that comfy chair and holding a sleeping baby (spit up free since this is a fantasy) as you day dream looking out the window on a sunny day....Ok ya a big fantasy, but we're entitled LOL

My youngest has a similar coloured room. We hung 3 mirrors on wide pink ribbon above her crib (sorry can't see the ribbon in the pic). We put them high enough she couldn't reach. If you're worried, you could just hang something on the empty wall above the chair. And that chair, btw, is going to be your best friend. Nothing better than a big comfy chair for nursing and cuddling.

I had the "How to Really Love a Child" print hung on my sons' wall. I enjoyed reading it when I was up late at night / early in the morning nursing them. I still enjoy it now that they are much older. Gentle reminders. Get something YOU enjoy seeing! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1599491}}

Thanks everyone for the comments.

sc-irish, if I hang something over the chair, should there be anything else on that wall? I thought the peg rack might find a purpose, thats why I didnÂt take it down. I did think about hanging some of those dangling toys from it, you know the ones you can get for the infant carseat or a floor playmat. I know a rug would make the room more cozy, but IÂve avoided rugs in the bedrooms because I think itÂs such a pain to take them downstairs and outside to shake out, or in the case of bigger ones to haul the vac upstairs. We donÂt really have an ideal place to store a vac permanently up there. It is in the back of my mind though, because then I could get rugs for the other 2 bedrooms, which would be nice.

fairytalebaby, I will look into the wall stickers. I did find some Wallies of alphabet blocks on clearance for $7, and I grabbed them just in case since they were so cheap, but IÂm unsure about placement. TheyÂre definitely too small for over the crib, and the solid wall. IÂm contemplating over the changing table. Maybe they will suffice there, along with the peg rack.

Thanks oceanna, I may have to fly you in. :)

merimom, I have thought about unframed canvas. How did you hang them? IÂve considered trying to screw through the frame, all 4 corners. I even toyed with the idea of getting some blank ones from MichaelÂs and letting my 4-year-old have-at them. If nothing else, he would enjoy the art project!

igloo, I do have a 4-year-old. My plan is to use cloth diapers, and I donÂt think they would fit so well in a stacker, but I could see hanging an attractive laundry bag on the rack, or something that would hold just the incidentals. As for the mirror, itÂs a great idea but didnÂt your son ever throw things while on the table? I remember my son having a fabulous time throwing whatever was in his hand. And I tolerated it because giving him something to play with was the only way I could get his diaper changed! A mobile would work. Actually, that would do double-duty as a decorative item AND something for the baby to look at. I wonder if I could come up with a way to hang one from the ceiling. IÂll have to investigate that. VelcroÂhow would you attach it to the wall? We do have blinds on the windows, but theyÂre light filtering instead of room darkening. I know what you mean about possibly having to control the light. That window faces east, and it gets very bright morning sun. I guess weÂll see what happens with that one. I wouldnÂt mind changing out the curtains anyway. White hemstitch seems a bit feminine. ItÂs what was there when this was the guest room. As for Thomas and friends, my 4-year-old was quite freaked out by them until about age 3. HeÂs like that about most animated characters. ItÂs unusual. Of course, now he loves Thomas.

budge, that chair is already my best friend. I use it in the middle of the night when my hips canÂt take lying down anymore. I skimped on the rocker with my first and we were forever stuffing pillows in it trying to make it comfortable, so I splurged this time, and IÂm already glad I did.

and last_mango, I hadnÂt considered it before, but youÂre absolutely right, I am going to spend a lot of time looking at whateverÂs over the crib and changing table, so I will make sure itÂs something I like too. I havenÂt read the poemÂIÂll have to steel myself up first because I suspect itÂs something that will make me start crying! :)

I love the blue and green! That chair looks really comfortable.

As for the walls, I think stick on decals are great, and they are so easy to remove once you get tired of them.

Here are my two nurseries, which had lots of wall decals. There are plenty of things I wouldn't do again with both rooms, but I did like parts of both rooms. Both my kids liked wall decals, they would point at them even when very small. Once they were about a year they pulled them off the wall many times. No big deal, I'd just stick them back.

I liked the star/moon I hung from the ceiling (you can only see the moon in the first photo, there were soft stars higher up next to it). I just used post-it hangers so I can remove them later without patching the wall. I also liked the pegs/shelf above the changing table. That mirror thing on it pulled out so it was perpendicular to the floor so the baby could look at it while being changed, it didn't stay like you see in the photo. The baby liked that mirror.

Second nursery:

bungalow, Could you tell me where you got the little table next to your comfy chair? Also, you mentioned hanging a mobile from the ceiling---there's a blog I love that has a cute nursery--I'll link it to my response. It's a beautiful baby boy nursery with a mobile that she made to hang from the ceiling.

Good luck!

I got the table from someone on craigslist, but she said she got it at Pier 1. I plan on using it and the rocker elsewhere in the house when they're no longer useful in this room!

Thanks for that link. I googled and found some other similar creative stuff. Unfortunately I'm short on time so I doubt if I could make something myself, but I did find this mobile hanger a little while ago and I'm seriously considering ordering it.

No wonder you confused me :) You definately did sound like you had experience, but then again I wasn't sure. I have a 3 year old myself...and when he's 4 I sure hope I'm decorating a nursery again!

Cloth diapers pre folded would be ok in the stacker, but like you say, any way to keep them handy would work. I think that peg rack is perfect for them given it's location by the changing table.

Look around (ebay etc) they make mobiles specifically for changing tables. I had one, but it's been so long I don't remember what brand it was, but your changing table is the same style as mine so it would work.

The mirrors for the back of the door...I forgot to mention...get the cheap ones that aren't really made of mirror glass LOL They have them at fred meyer, kmart, etc. Or if you get mirror glass, just add a film to the front of the glass (that stuff you squeege on to windows to filter light works great). I did that on all of the pictures hanging over DS's bed just incase they every fell (we have earthquakes and a really big one will knock down anything). I read the tip in some wifey magazine for any art hanging in a kids room in glass, since bouncing balls etc can make a glass mess. With this stuff, the glass still breaks of course, but since it's stuck onto the film, it typcically does not fall out or shatter into shards on the floor.

I have to share...the remark about the bedding did crack me up. My little guy was so sick he was always vomiting or pooping his way out of his bed, typically several times a night. I got rid of the fancy silk bedskirt and bumper pads pretty darned quickly. He has cotton sheets, currently with either elmo or some hand painted blues clues paw prints on them and uses his down comforter only if I've left the duvet off :) He's much better now, but we still have more barfing than the normal kid so it's still easier to just keep all of the bedding easy and washable!

You've gotten a lot of good ideas here. As to the picture on the wall (alphabet, or whatever) behind the chair, I would only use that - nothing else. I'm picturing one about 24" x 36" = big poster size. Michaels would have something you could use - and frame it cheaply (Michaels - $20) I've seen cute Alphabets with animals, cute toys, etc.

I understand the rug thing - and running a swifter on those floors would seem so easy.

Regarding hanging a mobile near the changing table - couldn't you just put a plant-hanger in the ceiling and use fishing wire to hang it to the length you wanted it? Make sure it's sailor-knotted on both ends.

Could you put some sort of black-out panels on a cafe-hook and rod (or even a lined panel) hung just to the edge of the bottom sill, and only pull them when you want it dark?...leaving the cafe curtains there.

I am concerned about that little tippy-toppy lamp and would change that out with your swingarm lamp before you hang the poster-size print (alphabet?). That might help you decide on the best placement.

Oh - and don't be afraid to read the poster link - it's great! (Whether your hormones are in overdive...or non-existent!!)

Well, you didn't ask, but thought I'd volunteer that I've had good luck using indoor/outdoor fabrics indoors where frequent washing and lots of light exposure happen. You could do an indoor mini awning for light control out of something like this:

{{gwi:1599501}}

Or the one I used in my laundry room, which determined the rest of the palette, but it's not indoor/outdoor, so I used blackout lining:

{{gwi:1599502}}

and combined it with Sunbrella in "Air" and "Macaw strie" (I think).

pl71, I like that mirror idea! I will keep an eye out for decals.

igloo, that's a great idea about laminating glass. I would never have thought about that. Good luck to you on #2...I remember your post about falling off the ladder. I've been there myself.

sc-irish, I found these on ebay and got them this morning. The four of them together would be poster-size, or maybe I can line them up across the wall. It was a good deal, $20 including shipping and they're already framed.

kd, thanks for that info. That fabric would look great with these prints!

Thanks again everyone for the input.

grats on your second! I love the colors you have in the room Bungalowhouse, that chair looks so comfy.

Hope you dont mind but I have to ask P171 -

where did you get your crib and changing table? they are gorgeous. I am planning on going furniture shopping next week and would love to know.

Bungalow,
I love those prints, they're the perfect color for that room and very cute!

Boopadaboo-
My crib and changing table are both by Pali, the changing table is called Amy and the crib was Paula (I think). I bought them them at Great Beginnings, which is a huge baby store in the DC area. If you happen to be in the DC area I highly recommend that store, they have really nice things and a huge selection.

I love the color on the walls!

I decorated my twins nursery with wall hangings I made from wonderfully colorful and inexpensive fabric from Ikea. It was covered with characters that were also sold as hand puppets and on peg boards etc. I had a small peg rack hung on the wall adjacent to the changing table that held rattles, teething toys and other items I could hand the babies as I changed their diapers. It was great! My children entertained themselves looking at and babbling to those bright colorful characters hanging on their walls for quite a few years.

Thank you! I looked them up and that brand is sold here in NY at one of the stores I was planning to hit up next weekend. Seems like they still make that crib too. :)

Those prints are adorable. I forgot to mention that before too. Too cute!

Bungalow, one trick is to project something on the wall, draw the lines with pencil, then paint... it's like coloring a picture in a coloring book, only with paint. Those projectors used to be very expensive, but not any more. Check at Michaels.

{{gwi:1539642}}

{{gwi:1539641}}

This one was done that way by Christy2828:

You can freehand something simple:

{{gwi:1539620}}

This is just taping off stripes, then drawing around dinner plates and filling in:

{{gwi:1539637}}

Another super easy way to put interest in there is to go look at the large stamps at Michaels. Brush the stamp with paint, and stamp on the wall.

{{gwi:1539595}}

Or, put up a cute wallpaper border.

Or overall wallpaper.

{{gwi:1539611}}

{{gwi:1539617}}

Or, with stencils (link to Jan Dressler Stencils)... you can do a whole jungle scene, or castles and fairies, or unicorns, or whatever.

Freehand a wavy wainscoting:

{{gwi:1539640}}

{{gwi:1539586}}

{{gwi:1539654}}

{{gwi:1539656}}

Or, hang a pretty quilt:

{{gwi:1539624}}

Or... Google "ready made murals" and you will find lots you can put up just like wallpaper, but they are fabulous! They have all sorts, whatever your heart would desire. Prices are from $39 (claims one site I didn't look into) to about $99 from the looks of it.

The important thing, I think, is to make the walls as stimulating as you can, to help build baby's vision and brainpower.