The basics: What mustn't be missing in any nursery

A lovingly furnished nursery delights parents as well as visitors. For the baby, however, it doesn't care at first whether the changing dresser is new and bright white or has seen better days. To ensure the child learns fixed routines and rituals from the outset, the basic equipment should already be in place. This includes:

Baby bed: In many families the baby sleeps in the parents' bedroom at first. But after some time and also during the day, a separate baby bed in the nursery is important. Height-adjustable and convertible cribs "grow with" the child and can therefore still be used in the toddler years.

Changing table: If you change and dress your baby on the changing table from the start, a firm ritual develops over time. The child knows what comes next. That gives them security. In addition, with a fixed changing spot you always have all important changing supplies at hand. Here you'll find space for diapers, a washcloth or wet wipes as well as the diaper bin, rompers and bodysuits.

Wardrobe/Shelves: The most important spare clothing is best kept in the drawers of the changing table. That way replacement clothes are always within reach if something gets soiled. Sweaters, sleeping bags, pants, etc. can be stored in a wardrobe or on shelves.

How to make the nursery cozy and safe

In the first weeks and months your baby isn't mobile yet. But already after a short time it learns to roll from its back onto its stomach, pushes itself forwards or backwards on the carpet and finally scoots or crawls through the nursery. And attention steadily increases: colors, movements and objects become exciting. At the latest when your baby starts to become mobile and attentive to its environment, you should equip the nursery with further baby-appropriate furnishings. The safety aspect in the nursery – as in the rest of the home – must also be taken into account.

Furniture: In addition to the basics, additional furniture in the nursery often makes sense. A cozy armchair or a rocking chair is ideal when your baby wakes at night, is hungry or wants to cuddle. Later it's a comfortable seat for reading books. Books and toys can be stored on shelves. It's sensible for the corners of the furniture to be rounded. That way it won't hurt if your baby bumps into them while crawling or learning to walk.

Lighting: In the first months it's useful for the nursery lighting to be dimmable. That way you don't have to turn on the full lights for nighttime changes. A small bedside lamp or a small light at the crib can help with falling asleep and create a cozy atmosphere.

Flooring: When crawling and playing on the floor, a carpet is the coziest for your baby. However, it must be vacuumed regularly and can be hard to clean if heavily soiled. A wood or laminate floor can be cleaned more easily and can be made cozier with small rugs or a runner.

Wall decoration: Telling motifs or a nice color on the wall are also part of setting up the nursery. Here your taste decides whether you choose a wall tapestry, wall stickers or a self-painted picture. However, make sure that not too many bright colors are used and that the colors used are free of harmful substances. Especially in combination with a colorful string of lights and colorful furniture, otherwise this creates restlessness and can lead to your baby being exposed to too many stimuli.

Safety: Even though it only becomes relevant when your baby becomes mobile: it's best to secure sockets from the start. Socket safety covers are available in different designs. Shelves and other pieces of furniture must be firmly attached to the wall so that nothing can fall over when your baby later pulls itself up on them. Framed pictures should also be securely attached to the wall.

Leave space: When designing the nursery, don't forget to leave enough space and empty areas. This is often forgotten given the many design options. But free space is very important for playing, crawling and walking.

Checklist – what must not be missing when setting up the nursery

Furniture:

• Baby crib

• Changing table

• Dresser

• Wardrobe

• A cozy armchair or rocking chair

Wall decoration:

• Non-toxic wall paints

• Wall stickers

• Pictures of the family or child-friendly motifs

Flooring:

• Carpet, laminate or parquet, possibly complemented with small rugs

Lighting:

• A large, dimmable ceiling light

• A small night light

Decoration:

• Toys & books

• A string of lights

• A cozy corner with cushions for relaxing moments and resting