Columbia Tribune
Bringing Home Baby
Create a Unique and Useful Nursery

New parents spend between $5,000 and $15,000 to decorate Baby's nursery, according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, driving a $7.3 billion industry. That's a lot of money to spend on a room Junior can't enjoy until he's crawling.

Parents spend a lot of time in their new baby's room, which is why some parents consider their own decorating likes and dislikes when creating a nursery.

Sarah Horn, owner of SHA, said parents are looking for custom pieces to put in nurseries. "People are liking to create their own now, versus buying something off the shelf," she said. "Once somebody realizes they can really put their personal touch on it, they tend to like it."

Including Mom and Dad's personality in nursery decor gives the room a comfortable and personal feel. It also creates a space they enjoy spending time in-and they will be spending a lot of time in it.

Columbia retailers have seen an increase in the popularity of colors not usually associated with nurseries.

Horn said she's selling a lot of black furniture, a departure from the classic white and brown. The dark shade is then accented with bold colors. "Most of the people who have done any black furniture with us try to do bedding and accessories that will really stand out and make the black pop," she said.

Create a unique and practical nursery with these tips:

Ï For a whimsical nursery, choose bright, energetic colors that aren't necessarily for babies.

Orange is a popular choice in bedding, along with brown, said Amanda Vander Tuig, owner of The Butterfly Tattoo. Another option is to choose a pattern that is not usually used in nurseries, like a pink cowgirl-themed set sold at The Butterfly Tattoo.

Horn said she sells a lot of red and green for baby boys. "We rarely do pastels," she said.

Ï Look for toys and accessories that have interesting shapes.

Unique lamps add a nice touch to any nursery and have practical use. Try stores that aren't known for selling nursery decorations.

Ï Look for pieces that will grow with the child. Most cribs are available with conversion kits that transform them into beds to last into adulthood.

"A lot of people do look for that, but it depends on the look you're going for in a bed," Horn said. "For any crib that's going to convert, the look is pretty standard."

Ï Add practical storage and shelving for blankets, toys and books.

Ï Use vintage family photographs or pages from old children's books to establish an heirloom feel.

Ï Consider pieces that are not traditional baby furniture. Dressers can be used for changing tables. Armoires can be used for clothing and diaper storage.

"I think a trend now is armoires in a nursery," Horn said. Depending on what color you go with, the armoire can be used for storage while the baby is small and then moved into another room for a new use.


Written by: Stephanie DeMello

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