Regarding built-in shelving and cabinets, Press believes these storage fixtures are the best way to take advantage of a small space. “It often seems counterintuitive, but built-ins will allow the floor space for play to be more open and flexible,” she says.
Last but certainly not least, remember safety is paramount in your baby girl’s nursery (in all spaces, of course, but small spaces may require additional considerations). “The crib needs to be placed safely, but if a full-size crib won’t fit, there are some great options for mini cribs and bassinets that can be used as well,” Coe says.
How can I make our baby girl nursery seem feminine without pink everything?
“If [you’re] looking to have a feminine nursery for your baby girl without being overly girly, there are tons of sweet and precious ways to achieve this,” Press says. To pull it off, Press and Davis advise incorporating some or all of the following into your girl nursery game plan:
Pay attention to the form of the furniture
Bobble-style cribs are playful and feminine. If you’re opting for a Scandinavian or more contemporary atmosphere, where the furniture will appear more gender-neutral, incorporate feminine accents through the area rug, decorative accessories, wall art, and the window treatments. For example, features with a cute tassel or beaded fringe can help achieve the look in a more subtle way.
Aim for paler shades
Paint always reads more saturated when up on the walls than it does in a small sample, so if you’re doing a classic pink or purple on the walls, opt for a lighter color with neutral undertones so it doesn’t read as jarring or pedestrian. For a splash of femininity, you can also install fun wallpaper on the ceilings, since babies sleeping on their backs have something to look up to.
Go non-traditional with the details
Try feminine accents that aren’t predictably girly. For example: Play up a girly theme with textiles and shapes instead of furniture and wallpapers or wall colors, like a butterfly mobile or mural in a neutral color or a scallop-edged window valance, which feel feminine but less rigid and overt. Add a splash of whimsy with uniquely shaped pillows and classic cloth dolls on the bed to nod to the playful girly vibe more casually.
What are some twin nurseries or shared kid bedroom ideas?
If space is in super short-supply—in that two kids of different genders might have to share a room—Press prefers to keep the palette and the theme gender-neutral (e.g., jungle or ocean motifs over gardens and princesses.)
To define specific areas of the room, try sectioning with drapes. “Consider using drapes to create zones; they can take up less space than doors that need to swing back against a wall,” says Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis, based in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.