Peekaboo has been assisting couple's in planning and installing baby nurseries for almost five years now. In that time, we've noticed a couple of "myths" that we hear told to new parents time and again. Let's get real about those things now!!
Myth #1: You Have to Have a Changing Table The truth is that probably half of our parents don't ever use their changing table. They change the baby on a bed, couch or even the floor! After all, how often does the baby do their business in the nursery? Most parents don't want to hike back to the nursery to change baby.
How to know if you will use a changing table? Here's a test. If you are the type of person that likes a place for everything and everything in its place...I mean to a point where you'll be close to a nervous breakdown if things aren't just so...you'll use a changing table.
Best Solution? Don't buy a specific changing table piece. Use a dresser and add a changing table pad. The pads run about $30 bucks and the changing table cover runs between $10-$30. These attach easily to the back of the dresser. Then, remove when baby grows out of it.
A Great Idea: Notice the rooms in your home where you spend the most time and create mobile changing stations. Keep a basket of items needed to change baby (diapers, wipes, changing pad, etc) that you can grab quick no matter where you are in your home.
Want a creative idea for a dresser? Use a dining buffet as a dresser. We've done this in several nurseries and they add interest to the room!
Myth #2: You Must Have a Crib the Baby Will "Grow Into" [insert wrong answer buzzer here!] The core of Peekaboo is made up of six women who have spent the last 10+ years having babies, watching friends and family have babies and helping client's prepare for their babies. We all agree, finding a crib that has been converted into a full-size bed is equivalent to finding a Sasquatch in the woods. Not one of us has seen a crib converted into a full size bed.
Here's what generally happens: Baby #1 uses the crib, then here comes baby #2. Baby #1 is transferred into a "big boy/girl bed" and Baby #2 gets the crib (sometimes hard for Baby #1!). For every baby that comes after, the process just continues. What happens to the crib after the last baby? Good question. We think they're sucked up into the Earth!! In all seriousness, most will either give the crib to someone, store it in the attic or trash it.
Here's my take: I think that the convertible crib, in theory, is a great idea. A crib that converts into a toddler bed is useful. This means the front comes off and the crib becomes a small daybed of sorts (some cribs require you purchase convertible kits for the toddler bed). But, that seems to be where the "convertible" love story ends. Why? If you've ever seen the style of a crib converted to a full bed, you may have your answer. Most convertible cribs (aside from the modern, much more expensive cribs) convert into "old-lady" beds...beds that would be found in your guest bedroom, not your kid's room. Not to mention that you do have to purchase convertible kits to even get the crib to the full bed stage.
Spend your money on items that will last. (1) A good dresser. (2) A nice glider that you can move to another room in the house after you've done the baby thing. (3) A book shelf or organization system that will keep little colorful kid's items tidy.
Myth #3: You Must Find Your Nursery Style in a Baby Store My favorite baby store vendors are not going to like me much for this one! But, the truth is a lot of our client's contact us out of desperation. Duckies, trains and princesses are a little too cutsie. And, the modern stores are just a little too modern. This is why the majority of nurseries we create are what is called mixed modern. This style is a mix of modern and traditional (also sometimes called Moditional) that many of us have been using in our homes for a long time now. The problem is, when it comes to the nursery, you're pretty much out of luck!
The best part of creating a mix-modern nursery is that the style tends to offer a more sustainable foundation that will grow well with your child.
Here are a few mix-modern tips from the Peekaboo Team.
1.) Paint/Color Palette -Stay away from pastels - look at neutral colors or primary colors that fall in a richer, more mature palette. A few of our favorites are listed above (please note the colors may not translate well on every monitor. Visit Sherwin Williams Online to see a better representation of the colors).
2.) Art Work - Stay away from the baby art and find art work in home and antique stores that would work in a nursery. www.Art.com is a great place to get inspiration. If all else fails create it yourself. You can even head to the fabric store, find a fabric you love and cover a large canvas with the fabric to add a pop of interest.
3.) Bedding - Keep it simple. We recommend a simple bumper or mesh bumper. Then, add a floor length crib skirt that you can adjust as you adjust the mattress. You may have a crib with a wood front and not even need a crib skirt.
Did you consistantly hear/read advice for new Mom's that you have found to be a "myth?" Share it with us in the comments below or e-mail myth@peekaboodesign.com.