Having a baby is so exciting and many parents (especially first-time mums and dads) spend hours planning and shopping for bub’s first bedroom. But before you start fitting out your baby’s nursery, read these top pitfalls that parents may make so you can avoid them.

1. Rushing to get everything set-up early

It can be tempting to rush and try to get everything set-up long before your baby arrives, after all it is a very exciting time! Despite your eagerness, it is best to take your time and enjoy the experience. This will help you set up a space that is safe for both you and your baby that you will enjoy spending time in together. If you are too quick to buy everything as you see it and don’t take time to plan, you may end up changing your mind about purchases you have already made. Limit your stress and take the time to carefully select each item that will be going into your nursery and plan how you want it to look.

2. Buying furniture because it will look good, rather than thinking about functionality

Every parent wants their nursery to look just right, but soon realise that practicality is more important. Selecting pieces that aren’t quite right for your space can lead to problems down the track. If you have a smaller room, consider furniture with multiple purposes – for example a chest of drawers that can also be used as a change table. Tasman Eco has a great range of nursery furniture to suit any sized room and its collections are stylish too. The brand believe that you don’t have to compromise the look of your nursery just so that it can be more practical – you can have both.

3. Moving the cot to the wrong area of the room

The layout of your nursery is extremely important, you want the room to flow and be easy to navigate – no one wants to be walking through a maze to get to a cot for a late-night feed. But, when planning out where each piece of furniture will go, it is important to also keep in mind what will be around your cot and keep it away from windows. As your baby grows the blinds and curtains will be a risk. Cords and other window furnishings can become choking hazards so it is best to keep your cot away from anything that little hands can grab onto.

4. Over cluttering of the room

Toys, blankets, photos and other decorations – there is so much that can go into a nursery. Once you add all the ‘nick nacks’ in with the necessities (nappies, spare pacifiers, baby wipes etc.) it can be easy to over clutter the room. When setting up your nursery, make a list of what you will really need in the room and what can be stored in another part of the house, or not purchased at all – think about whether the oversized teddy bear you bought on an impulse could be replaced by a comfortable rocker.

5. Selecting an over stimulating colour scheme

There are so many options for paint colours, wallpaper designs and plush furnishings. You often have a blank canvas when setting up your nursery and can let your creative side run wild – but some parents can make the mistake of getting too creative. It is best to remember that softer colours are more relaxing for the baby and for you as well. You will be spending a lot of time in your nursery once bub is born so you want it to be a calming space. Monochrome colour schemes with contrasting shapes and patterns are best as a foundation and allow you to introduce colour as your baby grows.

Have we left any common mistakes out? Tell us in the comments below.