Design your nursery like an interior designer

1. Find your inspiration

“Ask yourself "How do I want to feel in this room? What do I want the overall vibe of the space to be?" Then hop onto Pinterest - a treasure trove of inspiration - and create a dream nursery board, filled with ideas that align your vision. Using keywords like “modern traditional nursery” or “layered neutral nursery” let Pinterest take you on a visual journey, saving images along the way. Lastly add elements of colour, texture and pattern to your pinterest boards.”

Top tip: “As a mum of 3, I’d say avoid any nursery themes that feel too babyish. Our kids grow up in the blink of an eye, and trust me, you don't want to be re-decorating that often!”

2. Create your storyboard

“Create a one-page collage that will be your visual guide to the story you want to tell in your nursery. This will be your North star, keeping you on track when decisions get overwhelming! Access your storyboard easily with a digital version. I recommend using the Canva app —it's free and super user-friendly. Or do it the old-school way on a pinboard. Make sure you can see all your curated images and ideas in one place. You'll revisit this storyboard many times, honing in on your style and colour choices. Don't pressure yourself to get it perfect on the first go; let it evolve as your confidence grows.”

3. Draw your floorplan

“It's time to design a space that's both beautiful and functional. To start, roughly draw your room on a blank sheet of paper, including all of the main dimensions: room width and length, as well as your door and window placements. Next consider the six ‘essential’ zones you need to include for a functional nursery: Sleeping, Changing, Feeding, Reading, Storage, and Playing. These zones will overlap, but you want to be able to achieve all of these areas within your floorplan layout. Now, draw your room to scale on graph paper, in pencil. Use a simple scale such as 4 blocks for every metre, to keep it all in proportion. Experiment with different layouts, using generic sizes for all of the furniture items you want to place. Lastly, road-test your design with masking tape on the floor in the room to ensure optimal flow and functionality.”

4. Master your budget

“First, establish your available budget. Create an Excel sheet listing every nursery item you want to include - cot, wall decoration, window dressing, wardrobes, styling items – then add two columns next to each item, for an allocated amountand an actual amount. Now allocate your available budget line by line. Focus on anchor items from your 6 essential zones, as they’re your big-ticket items. You’ll refine the actual numbers when you start sourcing real products.”

Top money-saving tips: “Consider DIY options; shop your home for reusable pieces; explore Facebook Marketplace for affordable finds; add wishlist items to your baby’s gift registry.”

5. Time to start your sourcing journey…

“It's time to bring your dream nursery to life! With your storyboard, floorplan, and budget ready, let's source the perfect products with confidence. Here are my key considerations:

• Choose authentic materials like wood, linen, wool, and cotton.

• Embrace interesting, sculptural shapes.

• Add interest and depth through contrast.

• Ensure each item adds something special to the room.

• Choose timeless decor pieces that grow with your child.

• Check delivery lead times and stock availability.

• Compare products side by side online to find the best fit for your style, dimensions, and budget. Add favourites to your Pinterest board and adjust your floorplan and budget accordingly.

• Avoid these common pitfalls: always check dimensions, verify the quality, mix product ranges for a layered look, and ensure your rug is big enough.

Finally, jump back onto Canva and create a moodboard with all of your selected products you saved to pinterest to make sure they all work beautifully together and bring your storyboard to life!”

6. Plan the installation:

“As you await the arrival of your nursery items, start to plan the installation. To start, clear the room: remove everything you no longer need and give a deep clean. Schedule the messy work first: Complete any DIY tasks or tradework, like decorating or joinery, before starting to assemble any furniture. If you’re working with trades providers, check whether materials are included in their quote. If you need to buy them, ensure they’re on-site and labelled accordingly. Next assemble furniture and place your furnishings- start with the rug, following your floorplan to place each piece correctly. Schedule your window dressing after decorating and placing your anchor items. Plot your installation on a calendar, working backwards from your ideal completion date, accounting for lead times. This ensures your nursery is ready on time.”

7. It’s now time to style your nursery!

“Add the final touches to your dream nursery by styling your space, creating vignettes throughout the room (think of a vignette as a small, beautiful arrangement that tells a story). Here’s how to do it. Trust Your Instincts- play around with your items until it feels right; when hanging artwork ensure it’s at eye level, grounded by the furniture pieces below. Mix styles, frames and colours for interest; group items in sets of three while varying heights to create visual diversity and balance. Add Personal Touches: use objects that mean something to you, mixing new items with sentimental pieces. Remember, your nursery is a canvas for your expression. Don’t strive for perfection, just let your creativity flow and your nursery will tell a beautiful story. Finally, stand back and admire your work—you’ve done an amazing job!!

Top tip: “Design is an ever-evolving journey, just like parenthood, full of surprises and discoveries. Throughout this process, I encourage you to follow your curiosity and create a nursery that is personal and meaningful. Remember, a room is never truly "done." It's a living space that changes and grows. Don't be afraid to play, tinker, and explore new ideas. Enjoy every moment of this creative adventure, letting your dream nursery reflect your vision and style.”