7 points to remember while designing your baby's nursery

If your nursery has limited space, don’t cram too much in - it will make the room hard to use and feel even smaller. Small is beautiful and less really can be more.

Your baby needs to sleep in the same room as you for the first six months. But you can still use your baby's nursery as a play area, clothes store and changing room until he’s older.

Here are some practical ideas on how to make the most of a small nursery.

1. Think tall furniture, not wide - Use the height of the room and choose tall rather than wide furniture. Think about buying a single-door wardrobe and adapting it to your needs.

2. Multi-functional furniture - Multi-functional furniture, such as a storage bench that you can use both as a toy chest and a seat, saves space and money.

3. Make use of wall space - Another option for nappy changing is a wall-mounted changing unit, which folds up against the wall when not you’re not using it. Most have storage pockets for all your nappy-changing accessories. You could also put up some shelves, with enough space between them to fit boxes and baskets.

4. Folding furniture - Try portable or collapsible drawers for storing items under the cot or bed. Don’t use them for storing potentially dangerous items such as nappy bags or toiletries. Travel cots take up less space and can be folded away when not needed. Folding bassinets that double as playpens are also available, and some have wheels for moving from one room to another. They usually come with a carrier bag, so you can put it away when you’re not using it.

5. Extra storage ideas - Storage bags that you can vacuum-pack yourself are ideal for storing teddies, clothes and bedding. They’re airtight and flatten the contents without damaging them. You can safely store the bags under beds and wardrobes.

6. The illusion of space - Room corners are often left bare, so think about corner cupboards or shelving and corner hanging nets. Corner changing tables use less floor space and your baby’s legs will be facing you, which you may find easier for nappy changing. Some wall colours can make a room feel bigger or smaller. Choose soft, pastel colours for a more spacious feel. If you prefer vivid colours, use a pale colour for the base and a bright, stronger colour for detail. If the room has a low ceiling, vertical stripes on one of the walls create an illusion of height. Mirrors create a sense of space and come in fun patterns and shapes for children’s rooms. A mirror opposite a window adds more light and sparkle to a room too. Mirrors are often heavy, so do make sure it's securely attached to the wall.

7. Consider other options - If there isn’t room for a nursery essential or something you’ve set your heart on, think about other options.

Hope the above suggestions help you to design a lovely nest for your little birdie!