How to Design a Baby Nursery in a Home with Multiple Pets?

March 19, 2024

Bringing a new life into the world is an exciting and a transforming experience. It entails planning and creating space in your home to accommodate its newest member. If you already have multiple pets, creating a baby nursery might seem like a daunting task. How will you juggle the needs of your fur babies along with your human baby? How do you design a nursery that is safe for your baby and comfortable for your pets? This article aims to answer these questions and guide you through the process of designing a baby nursery in a home with multiple pets.

Choosing the Right Room

Choosing the right room for your nursery is the first step in this exciting journey. The room should ideally be close to your bedroom for easy accessibility during late-night feedings or diaper changes. It should have enough space for all the necessary baby furniture, such as a crib, a changing table, and storage units. The room should also have enough natural light and good ventilation.

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But how does one factor in the pets? If your dog or cat is used to lounging in all the rooms, you might want to consider designating a room where pets are not usually allowed. This room transition will be less confusing for your pets, and the baby’s new space will not infringe on their territory.

Safe and Fun Color and Decor Choices

Designing a nursery is a great opportunity to use your creativity and add a personal touch. Color plays a vital role in setting the mood of the nursery. Subtle hues like pastel blues, pinks, yellows, or greens are often recommended for their calming effects. Or you may choose a gender-neutral theme with whites, greys, and beiges.

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Avoid wall decors that can be easily reached and tampered with by your pets. Opt for wall decals or paint patterns that are high enough to be out of your pets’ reach.

A word of caution here: While choosing the wall paint, opt for non-toxic, VOC-free paints. These are safe for your baby and your pets too.

Furniture Selection and Placement

Selecting the right furniture for your nursery comes next. The crib, a changing table, a feeding chair, and storage units are the primary furniture pieces you will need.

When choosing a crib, consider one with solid sides to prevent your pets from climbing in. Position the crib away from windows, shelves, or any furniture your pet could climb to gain access.

The changing table should ideally have storage underneath for diapers, wipes, and creams. This will keep all baby essentials handy and minimize the time you have to leave your baby unattended on the table.

When placing furniture, leave ample space for easy movement. This is not only important for you but also for your pets. They should be able to navigate the room without knocking things over.

Creating Boundaries

Creating boundaries is crucial when you have a baby and pets in the same house. Your pets need to understand that the nursery is not their play area.

You may consider installing a pet gate at the nursery door. This will allow your pets to see and smell the baby from a safe distance but prevent them from entering the room. Train your pets to understand this boundary before the baby arrives. Introducing boundaries after the arrival of your baby could cause anxiety and stress in your pets.

Adding Pet-friendly Features

Your pets will also need to adjust to the new member of your family. To help them feel included, consider adding some pet-friendly features in the nursery. This could include a soft rug or a pet bed where your dog or cat can rest while you’re tending to the baby.

Remember, while your new baby requires a lot of your time and attention, it’s essential to make sure your pets feel included and loved. This will ensure a harmonious environment in your home and make the transition easier for everyone.

Designing a nursery requires careful planning and implementation, especially when you have pets in your home. By following these guidelines, you can create a nursery that is safe for your baby, comfortable for your pets, and practical for you. While it may seem like a challenging task initially, remember that the end result will be a beautiful, calming space filled with love, warmth, and joy for all members of your family, furry ones included.

Selecting Suitable Storage Solutions

Let’s now turn our attention to storage solutions. You will soon realize that a baby comes with an overwhelming number of items – clothes, diapers, toys, books, and more. Having a well-organized storage system in your nursery will not only make your life easier but will also keep your pets from turning baby items into their new chew toys.

The popular kid-friendly Pottery Barn Kids offers a range of storage bins and shelves that are both functional and stylish. However, remember that your pets may be curious and try to access these storage units. So, it’s advisable to keep the storage bins at a height that is not easily reachable by your pets.

For items that you need close at hand, such as diapers, wipes, or baby toys, consider using a changing table with built-in storage space. This will make diaper changing more efficient and prevent you from leaving the baby unattended on the changing table.

Invest in a sturdy bookshelf to display storybooks, photo frames, or keepsakes but ensure it’s secured to the wall to prevent it from being knocked over. Similarly, a toy chest can provide a designated space for your baby’s playthings, deterring pets from mistaking toys for their own.

Remember, the key is to keep the nursery organized and clutter-free. It not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the room but also enhances safety for both your baby and pets.

Incorporating Suitable Lighting

Just like color schemes, the right lighting can significantly influence the ambiance of the baby’s room. A ceiling light fixture is ideal for general illumination, while a table lamp or wall sconces provide perfect soft light for night-time feedings or bedtime stories.

Project Nursery suggests dimmable lights to adjust the room’s brightness according to the time of day or the activity at hand. This way, you can have bright light during playtime and dim light for naptime or night time.

For safety, ensure that all cords are kept out of reach from both the baby when they start to crawl and move around, and your pets, who might find the cords tempting to play with or chew on.

Conclusion

Designing a baby nursery in a home with multiple pets can seem like a daunting task, but it is, indeed, a project that can be fulfilling and fun. It’s all about balancing aesthetics, functionality, and safety. By choosing the right room, selecting safe and fun decors, picking appropriate furniture, setting boundaries for your pets, and incorporating pet-friendly features, you can create a space that grows with your baby and accommodates your pets.

Remember, the goal is to create a harmonious environment where all members of the family – human or furry – feel comfortable and loved. By following these guidelines, you can rest assured that you’ve made the best possible choices for your family.

Now, imagine how satisfying it will be when you finally see your little one sleeping peacefully in the crib, with your pets snoozing near their designated spot in the same room. And that very moment will remind you that all your efforts were worth it. Welcome to the most exciting chapter of your life – parenthood! The joy that your baby and pets bring to your life makes the entire experience truly rewarding.