The arrival of a baby brings happiness and joy to everyone in the family. It's an exciting time! By the addition of the new family member means that space has to be found for a nursery. And once that space is found, what is the nursery going to look like? Here are some important steps to consider on decorating your baby's nursery.

Of course, the gender of the baby will probably greatly influence the colors being used in the room, and so if you don't know what the gender will be it may be best to start off with very neutral colors at first, especially on the walls, and then you can add the appropriate color accessories later on. Just don't put off painting the room very long, as you want to make sure that all noxious fumes are totally cleared out by the time the baby is at home and using the nursery. In fact, the safety of the baby should be the first consideration at all times, so keep this in mind as you make every choice regarding your nursery decoration designs.

In years past, it was traditional to simply use blue as the predominant color for boys and pink for girls. But the good news is that such strict adherence to certain colors is not much in use in nursery designs these days. Instead, you can mix and match other colors as well and not be considered as breaking any design rules. So there's no reason to limit the colors that are used in your baby's nursery simply because of old traditions. Instead, simply strive to achieve a color combination that promotes joy and calm, and it will no doubt be just what your baby needs.

A very common practice these days in nursery design is to use stenciling. You can find a wide array and selection of stencil designs at your local crafting store. These can be used to create imaginative borders that go around your nursery ceiling or mid-level on the wall. Some of the designs can even get very intricate and involved, so it's a good idea to determine in advance how much time and effort you have to be able to put into it to get the job done in time. Remember, sometimes simple is better, especially if it keeps your stress level down before the baby's arrival.

After your walls are all done, it's time to decide what furniture will go into the room. Many folks have heirloom baby furniture that has been handed down from generation to generation. And of course, there will be a strong sentimental pull for using this kind of baby furniture. But before you do, just be sure that all safety requirements are met by each item. Years ago, safety was not given the priority that it is today in the design of baby furniture. So it's a good idea to make a comparison between your heirloom furniture and modern furniture to see if they still do use the same basic design qualities for safety in mind. If not, use the heirloom furniture for show, and purchase modern, safe baby furniture for everyday use. Another consideration when using heirloom furniture is to be sure to protect it while it is being used. If it is a highly prized, sentimental piece, you will want to be able to pass it on to future generations as well. So take good care of it in the meantime.

Baby accessories often provide the finishing touches on a beautiful nursery. But never let appearance win out over function. Most parents quickly discover that very practical items such as diaper holders, changing tables, and so forth are much more appreciated over the long haul then are a bunch of stuffed animals and ceramics that really don't accomplish much other than just looking nice. After you have all the necessary and usable accessories in the room, then you can think about adding the decorative items afterward.

Decorating your baby's nursery can be a fun, exciting experience for everyone in the family. And hopefully the suggestions in this article will help you along in your decoration efforts.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find out more about home interior decoration and bedroom interior design by visiting our Home Improvement website.