According to The Bump, parents spend an average of $2000 setting up a nursery for their new baby, with everything from a crib and mattress to the changing table and other furniture. All of that money and it probably won’t be used for much more than a couple of years as once that bouncing baby starts climbing out of the crib, it’s time to make a change.
If you just purchased a new home among the Nashville houses for sale or anywhere else, this is the perfect time to make the transition since you’ll have to move everything out anyway, and it’s easy to paint when you’ve got an empty room. Otherwise, follow these steps to transform the space you have now.
Switch out the Crib for a Twin Bed
The bed is the first step, and it’s something that will probably get your toddler excited too, knowing that he or she will sleep like the “big kids.” While toddler beds are available, they’ll be outgrown as quickly as the crib so it’s better to invest in a high-quality twin bed that will stand the test of time. You can attach a toddler so that your child can get in and out easily without the risk of falling out.
New Bedding
Your crib bedding probably won’t work for a twin bed, so you’ll need to get new bedding. If you have a theme it’s a great opportunity to match it or choose something more neutral if you want it to last longer. Your child might even be happier about going to bed at night if they can go shopping with you and help you pick it out. If not everything, at least a pillow or a stuffed animal that’s their own choice.
Update Decor
You don’t have to change out everything, but you might want to add some new decor that’s more in line with what your growing child likes. Some popular themes include jungle, cars, dinosaurs, unicorns, space, rainbows, ballet dancers, kittens, and puppies. Removable wallpaper is ideal so that you can easily replace it when he or she wants a different theme. When considering pricey pieces, look for items that will have more longevity.
Replace the Changing Table with a Dresser
If diapers are a thing of the past, it’s time to replace that changing table. If you were using a dresser with a pad on top, it’s simple. All you have to do is remove it, but now may be a good time to get things reorganized, making sure items you don’t want little ones to reach are at the top, and others you do at the bottom. If you want to give it more of a facelift, add a new coat of paint and some hardware.
Think Safety
When your child was younger, you probably didn’t have to worry as much about safety issues because breakable or other potentially harmful items were out of reach. Now that your toddler can climb, it could cause a piece of furniture to tip so you’ll want to anchor and secure furniture to the wall, and avoid placing toys up too high to reduce the temptation to get to them. Be sure that you have window stops to prevent any windows from opening more than a few inches and install window guards to prevent falls when windows are open. Make sure all cords on blinds aren’t within reach either.
