It’s always exciting to welcome a newborn into the home, and the nursery is a space where new parents are eager to get involved in the conception process. As an area where they will spend a lot of their time, it is important to create a nursery that is both functional and beautiful. Not only will this make their daily life easier and more enjoyable, but it will allow them to devote more time and energy to the essential task of raising their child.

I think it’s best when the nursery acts as an oasis of calm in the house and evokes a feeling of tranquility. It should have color, of course, but not many people will be happy spending all of their time in a room that looks like a funhouse. A quieter and more peaceful room will allow new parents and the newborn to feel a little more rested and refreshed.

Here are my top tips for nursery design:

Choose a consistent palette

For a nursery with muted colors, I think it’s a great idea to choose a more neutral base for the walls, like a soft white or cream, and then mix consistent accent colors together. I love pastel colors for a nursery because they can go together beautifully without competing for attention. To keep the look solid, choose two or three key accent colors, then find items in similar shades to add cheerful doses of muted color throughout the space.

Choose transitional furniture

When it comes to any larger furniture purchase, I think it’s important to choose something that can work in a space over time. I love the look of more monochrome and modern baby furniture that is designed to evolve as your child grows. These days you can find cribs that convert to daybeds or toddler beds and changing tables that work on their own as dressers as your child’s needs change. It makes sense to invest in parts that can be used for multiple purposes and have a longer life.

Incorporate natural materials

Natural materials can have a calming effect on our moods as they connect us to nature and its peaceful surroundings. Bring natural materials and textures into your baby’s room with items like soft cotton sheets and woven seagrass baskets for stylish storage. In a more calming space, natural materials create an earthy feel associated with all these soft, soothing hues.

Don’t forget the texture

Texture is always essential, if not the most important, in a tactile newborn’s bedroom where they’ll likely want to touch and feel every little thing around them. Make sure to keep plenty of comfy and comforting materials, such as chunky knit teddy bears and bunnies, ruffled blankets, and faux fur cushions dotted throughout the space to pique their interest.

Make it fancy, always

Even in a more quietly colorful nursery, there are so many opportunities to add whimsical elements to make the space magical. There are tons of cute stickers available online that you can use and remove easily without damaging the walls, or consider painting faux panels on the walls for a fun, classic look. Cushions in the shape of clouds and stars can help make their space adorably otherworldly.