Advice from our Head of Product, Catherine
With over 20 years in product design and styling and as a mum herself Catherine knows that the most loved nursery spaces are never just about how they look. They’re about creating rooms that feel calm, practical and ready to support family life from day one.
Catherine has pulled together some of her top tips to help you create a nursery that is both beautiful and practical.
You’ve probably already started saving ideas. A calming colour palette here. A beautiful cot there. Soft textures, thoughtful details, perfectly styled shelves. Designing your baby’s nursery is one of those special milestones that makes everything start to feel wonderfully real. But alongside the inspiration, there’s often one practical question quietly sitting in the background:
How will this room actually work?
Because while beautiful nurseries are lovely to look at, the most successful ones are the spaces that support real family life too. The late-night feeds. The quick nappy changes. The sleepy cuddles. The chaotic mornings. A nursery should feel beautiful, yes, but it should also make everyday life easier.
Start with how you want the room to feel
Before choosing furniture, colours or accessories, think about atmosphere.
How do you want this room to feel when you walk into it? Calm? Cosy? Light and airy? Warm and cocooning?
Because nursery design isn’t just about creating a room for baby, It’s about creating a space where you’ll spend time too The most comforting nursery ideas often focus less on trends alone, and more on emotional atmosphere. Soft textures, thoughtful storage, gentle lighting and uncluttered layouts all help create a sense of calm. And while themed nurseries can be lovely, timeless spaces often age more gracefully growing with your family long beyond the newborn stage.
Lighting changes everything
Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of nursery design, but it can completely shape how a room feels. A single bright ceiling light might be practical for some moments, but softer layered lighting makes a huge difference during quieter parts of the day.
Think about introducing:
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A warm table lamp for evening wind-downs
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Rechargeable wall lighting for flexible softer light
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Night lights for feeds or quick room checks
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Dim lighting options where possible
The goal isn’t to make the room dark. It’s to create lighting that feels adaptable. A nursery should feel soothing, not like an airport runway at 2am.
Think beyond the cot
It’s easy to focus all your attention on choosing the perfect cot, but real nursery life happens around the whole room.
Ask yourself:
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Is there enough storage for everyday essentials?
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Will changing supplies be easy to reach?
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Is there space to move around comfortably while holding baby?
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Could a feeding chair or quiet corner be helpful?
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Will the room still feel functional as your baby grows?
A beautifully styled nursery that’s difficult to navigate quickly loses its charm. Layout matters just as much as aesthetics. The best nursery furniture layouts make everyday routines feel simple and intuitive.
Soft furnishings make a room feel finished
Some of the most impactful nursery styling choices aren’t furniture at all. Soft furnishings bring warmth, texture and personality into the space.
Things like:
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Curtains
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Blackout blinds
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Rugs
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Storage baskets
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Cushions
Layering textures helps a nursery feel softer and more inviting And practical choices matter too. Window dressings can help manage natural light, soften sound and create a more restful atmosphere, particularly during brighter summer months. Storage baskets can add warmth while helping keep clutter under control.
Choose furniture that grows with your family
When designing a nursery, it’s easy to think about the immediate newborn stage. But some of the best furniture decisions are the ones that support you for longer.
Think about pieces that offer flexibility as your family grows:
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Timeless designs you’ll still love in a few years
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Furniture that feels at home within your wider interior style
The goal isn’t simply to buy for today. It’s to create a room that evolves with family life. That balance between practicality and longevity often makes the biggest difference.
Style with personality, not perfection
The most memorable nurseries rarely look like copied catalogue pages. They feel personal. A little bit of your style. A sense of your home. Details that feel meaningful.
Maybe that’s soft neutrals and natural textures? Maybe it’s richer tones, vintage details or a more playful look?
There’s no single right way to design a nursery. And despite what social media sometimes suggests, it doesn’t need to be finished all at once either.
Rooms evolve. Needs change.
Your nursery can grow with you.
