Page 118 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

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story by
Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage
he minute we learn there is a baby on the way, most of us start dreaming about the nursery we want to create for them. We have a picture in our minds, thanks to Pinterest and other social media
sites, of what a space for our baby looks like and how that room will give them the perfect environment for their first everything. Most of us do not have a mental picture about what is next. How do we provide for the growing child and create a space that will incorporate their needs, interests, and healthy development? It is not hard to do, but it can be tricky!
The same dynamic that starts brewing when they begin talking, and certainly when they start walking, is in play here. There is a balancing act to be carefully navigated between what you begin to envision for your child’s room and what they think they want their room to look like. Be ready for the “no” answer to all your favorite ideas!
We suggest start with the basics. Measure how many square feet you have and what kind of furniture and activity areas can be accommodated. Think about bed size, storage, areas for reading and individual play, seating needs, and if studying will be done in this room. Furniture and room layouts need to be somewhat flexible to handle future needs like sleepovers and hosting friends. We are fans of reading nooks, beds that create a feeling of coziness with draped fabric, and teaching discipline through keeping their rooms organized with great storage.
Next comes the fun part – how do you add the designer touches that affect how your child will feel when they are in it? Every room has a theme, even if the theme is “anything goes!” Most themes are classic, and these are where we tend to go. These include animals with safari images, nature, space, nautical with boats and such, the fairytale princess, and the fun of travel with maps and culturally unique patterns. Newer themes tend to
118 | April 2025
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