I’m an etiquette expert… how to make your baby’s nursery classy – and the tips to avoid it looking tacky

DECORATING the nursery can be a daunting task.

From choosing the right colour scheme to picking furniture, it can be a minefield to know what you need and where to start.

But an expert has revealed his top tips to ensure your little one’s room is a calming and classy space.

And the key things to avoid to stop it looking cheap and tacky.

Etiquette expert William Hanson says warm, neutral tones are the best colours to choose – and urges soon-to-be parents to stay away from gender-specific pinks and blues.

He told The Sun: “Taupes, creams and beige are all calming colours.

“You don’t want to go too bold or brash. 

“Stay away from anything too ‘matchy’ and coordinated – and definitely avoid anything too glittery or shiny.”

He added: “Remember to go for function over style and keep it understated.”

Here, he gives his top tips to ensure you stay bang on trend.

FURNITURE

Furniture is the staple of any nursery and the main focal point of the room. 

If you are following Mr Hanson’s advice to go with neutral paint colours, you can still inject a bit of colour if you wish with a cot or changing table.

Avoid brash, bold colours but choose dark hues like the Mamas & Papas midnight blue or forest green Melfi collection. It will contrast nicely with the lighter walls, is suitable for any gender and the baby can grow into it since the bed is suitable for tots aged six months to four-years-old.

Plus you can mix up the design with super cute fitted sheets for the cot – like the adorable stars and moon offering from Rosa and Blue which ex-TOWIE star Sam Faiers is a fan of.

The NHS advises babies sleep in your bedroom until they are six months old, so you may also want to invest in a chic moses basket like Little Green Sheep’s offerings. 

Or if you want them directly next to you, the Chicco Next2Me Magic 2 is practical and not too bulky. A DockaTot is handy for using around the house for supervised lounging – but not sleeping.

Mr Hanson is also a fan of a statement chair in the nursery or primary bedroom. 

“A nursery chair is critical,” he says. “You want to choose something understated but also comfortable with a high back.”

He recommends a “soft, furnished finish” like the Hilston Nursing Chair in Silver, which could even be reused elsewhere in the house once the early feeding days and long nights pass.

SOFT FURNISHINGS

Styling the nursery in a classy way is all about layering, advises our resident expert.

“You don’t want to over-style the nursery, as if an interior designer has prepared it,” he warns.

“Start with a blank canvas and then add to it as your child grows – so they can grow with it. You can swap in and out items as their tastes develop and change.”

For ultimate style points he recommends displaying a cosy blanket like JoJo Maman Bebe’s zebra set or a Kabode wildlife quilt for toddlers’ rooms.

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Keep accessories soft and playful, like a Wayfair faux fur stool or Cuckooland’s Levo Baby Rocker – which boast both a practical use but also look smart in the corner of the room.

But he says: “Don’t go overboard as it will look like you’re spoiling the child.”

In terms of decorating the walls, avoid fairy lights and bunting – which can be particularly dangerous near the crib, not to mention a fire hazard.

But do be encouraged to put up prints. Mr Hanson says the best way is to ensure the frames are all the same size and are all put up at the same height.

He says: “Frames should be pale and all the same colour – not bold or brash. Go for three prints in a row.

“Safari animals are always a safe option. The safari theme has longevity – and is suitable for children of any age and any gender.”

A major faux pas is putting quotes or ‘word’ stickers on the wall. “Your baby can’t yet read and they provide no stimulation – they are there purely because mum likes them”, he warns.

SAFETY FIRST

While you want the nursery to tick style boxes, above all else it has to be a safe and functioning room for your little one.

First and foremost, you’ll want a proper baby monitor to keep an eye on them when they are sleeping. The Nanit Pro won Gold in the Made for Mums Awards 2022 and comes with a stand which allows you to hang it over the crib or mount to the wall.

Meanwhile, the high-tech Owlet monitor and sleep sock allows you to track your child’s heart rate, oxygen level and sleep trends, while also streaming live HD video to your phone.

A night light is also essential for the nursery for all those late feeds. The Glow Dreaming light is a 5-in-1 sleep aid which boasts red LED light therapy – used by NASA to help its astronauts sleep – to stimulate the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for telling us it’s time for sleep.

If you want to purify the air in your tot’s room, you can also invest in a ClevaPure Himalayan Salt Lamp & Humidifier which aims to reduce the presence of airborne allergens and irritants that can cause respiratory issues among babies and children.

And make sure you opt for safe sleeping options if you travel to granny and grandpa’s or for a night away. The Bugaboo Stardust is a safe all-in-one travel cot for newborns up to two years old.

PLAY TIME

Too many toys are a big no-no if you want to stay chic. 

Mr Hanson says bright, brash, plastic items are trashy – and urges parents to avoid “overstimulation” in the nursery.

He says sustainable, and particularly wooden toy sets, are what parents should aim for. Lovevery has a host of organic and sustainable play gyms and toys which not only stimulate kids but also help them to learn. The playkits are designed for various age ranges, meaning you can add to your collection as they grow.

In-keeping with the safari theme, Taf Toys Savannah 360 Activity Gym has 20 playful activities and is made from extra-soft fabric so isn’t too harsh on your babes’ skin.

Meanwhile, there’s one trend experts warn parents to steer well clear of.

“A giant teddy bear or stuffed animal is vulgar,” says Mr Hanson.

“Babies are too young to play with them and they are dust collectors. Not to mention they can also be inconvenient and take up a lot of space in the room.”

He recommends displaying an inherited, smaller teddy bear if stuffed animals are your thing.

KEEP IT CLEAN 

You want to keep the nursery as clean and tidy as possible. Not only is “clutter-free” the key to keeping it classy, it also prevents a build up of dust. 

Mr Hanson warns against too many ornaments and dried flowers. “Mums love to put these in the house and nursery but they are dust collectors,” he says.

“They are dangerous and just encourage dirt and debris to collect – which could pose health problems for your baby.”

For soft furnishings, he advises choosing items which are easily washable or can be dry-cleaned. 

“A rug is great if you go for a washable one,” he says. “But otherwise keep the floor clutter free for health and safety.”

To keep the room dust-free, invest in a nifty hoover like the Lupe Pure Cordless Vacuum which you can whizz round in a flash.

Experts also advise storing bath items out of the nursery to avoid moisture build-up – so keep your baby bath and adorable towelling robes either in the bathroom or airing cupboard.

Wondering how you’d entertain your little one while you’re doing the tidying? Strap them to yourself in a Dreamgenii SnuggleRoo or pop them in a baby bouncer – Munchkin’s Baby Swing can even be operated via Bluetooth so you can play them songs as they bop away.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Now you’ve earned style points for the nursery, keep up the good work elsewhere.

To make mealtimes a classy affair, invest in the uber chic Stokke Clikk Highchair with an easy-to-wipe CoveBaby splash mat underneath. 

Totter & Tumble wipeable mats are also a great way to protect floors and carpets, while giving your little one a safe and stylish place to play.

Heading out? It’s an expensive investment but the Artipoppe baby carrier is a huge favourite with celebs.

Storksak’s Changing Bag and an Inka buggy organiser will complete your look to have fellow mums drooling over your sartorial choices.