Tag Archives: Forty Winks

baby nursery decor

Little wonders: how to prepare a nursery

Expecting parents have a lot to consider when waiting for a baby to arrive. There are hospital bags to pack, car seats to install, baby showers to plan, and diapers to buy – and that’s all before there’s a tiny human to raise! However, one of the most exciting tasks to ponder before your newborn arrives has got to be the baby nursery decor; the design, theme, and purchasing all the essentials. 

The nursery is about to be a place where you’ll spend many hours of your time for feeding, changing, or putting your little one to sleep (or should we say attempting to). So, you’ll want to invest some much-needed time, effort, and funds into ensuring your nursery is decked out exactly how it should be. 

We want you to have one less thing to worry about when your newborn arrives, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know into one place. Read on to learn all about navigating your new nursery.

Baby Bunting Boori 3 Tier Changer $269, Baby Bunting Ergopouch Cocoon $49.95, Baby Bunting Living Textiles Cotton Rope Storage Set $39.95, Baby Bunting Owlet Baby Monitor $249.99, Baby Bunting Zazu Nightlight $59.95, Bed Bath N’ Table Morgan & Finch Pete Pretzel $29.95, DecoRug Luka Shaggy Colour Rug from $199, Forty Winks Boori Corindi Cot $649, Freedom Evie Rocking Chair $1,299, Freedom Mornington Dresser $1,699.

 

Designing your baby nursery

There are four main factors to consider when designing your nursery – the placement of the cot, glider, changing table, and storage drawers. 

The cot should be positioned first and should be placed away from any windows or doors to limit temperature changes, air drafts, and light exposure. Next up, place your glider (aka feeding chair) into a corner nook, ensuring it has enough space around it to rock. Once the cot and chair are placed, slot the drawers and changing table in the leftover space. 

Tip: For those who are working with a smaller space, we recommend using your chest of drawers as a changing table as well. 

Now that all the key pieces are appropriately placed, it’s time to sort out the lighting. Having a dark room will promote the release of melatonin (the hormone that helps us to both fall asleep and stay asleep). So, be sure to purchase block-out blinds as these will keep the room dark for both nap time and night time. You’ll also want to limit any artificial light such as baby monitors – place these away from the cot so that the light isn’t in the baby’s line of sight when they’re in the cot. 

Baby nursery décor

Now onto the fun part – the baby nursery décor! Before getting carried away with an elaborate theme, it’s important to keep in mind the top priority of a nursery and that’s for it to be conducive to sleep. You’ll want your newborn to be exposed to as little stimulation as possible, so avoid using too many decorative pieces that can distract them. Refrain from placing toys or hanging mobiles in and above the cot, in fact, we recommend no toys in the cot until four months of age, which also happens to be the optimal time to introduce a comforter. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t have a super stylish baby nursery – you can still stick to a colour palette so the room is cohesive with the rest of your home. Start with a neutral base for the furniture and then add accent lighting, wallpaper, artwork, rugs, and more. Even if tastes change, your accent pieces can easily be swapped out while keeping large investment pieces the same. 

Tip: incorporate thick pile rugs and drapes throughout the room to help absorb outside noise. 

The essentials

Lastly, it’s time to ensure you have all the essentials for a functional nursery. First up, it’s important to baby-proof the room – secure blinds and electrical cords, keep any medicines out of reach, and set up a baby monitor. 

Next, purchase a white noise machine (this will help silence your baby’s built-in alarm clock by drowning out all outside noises during vulnerable phases of light sleep), a swaddle (to make your baby feel safe and comforted), a dim nightlight (to help navigate night time feeding), and of course, nappies, bedding, toys, and clothes. 

There you have it! We hope this helps you prepare accordingly for your newborn with baby nursery decor. Be sure to download our first-time parent nursery checklist here to better prepare you for the arrival of your little one.

bedroom makeover cosy soft furnishings and warm hues

Bedroom Makeover Ideas at Homemaker Aspley City

The bedroom is a space that we spend the majority of our time in when we are relaxing at home, so today we are sharing our tips alongside Snooze Aspley for refreshing this space and creating the ultimate sanctuary. After a long day at work, there is nothing better than unwinding in a space that feels comfortable, tranquil and like an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. There are many elements that need to be considered when designing a bedroom, from the mattress to the bed linen to the lighting and more. Today we are sharing with you our top tips for what to consider when making over your bedroom and ensuring you select the perfect pieces to invest in.

Start With The Mattress

When planning your next bedroom makeover we recommend heading into Snooze Aspley for all the inspiration you need. The best place to begin is by choosing a quality mattress that suits your requirements and provides comfort and longevity. There are a few key things to consider when selecting a mattress, most importantly the feel. Whether you are a lover of an ultra firm mattress or like to cocoon into a plush feel, Snooze has an option for you. Some other things to consider when selecting a mattress are the people who will be using it, the mattress topper feel, your sleeping positions, whether you use the bed to watch tv or read and of course, the size.

The Perfect Bedroom Suite

Once you have selected your perfect mattress, it is then time to choose some beautiful furniture pieces to pair it with. Whether you are after some small bedroom ideas to make the most of the space or are looking for a statement bedroom suite, Snooze Aspley has you covered. Bedroom furniture can include the bed frame, bedside tables, tallboys, dressers and more. Snooze also have a great range of customisable beds that allow you to select the best option for your bedroom needs. There are options to include drawer storage underneath, expandable trundle beds and bedheads in a variety of fabric options and styles.

Invest In Beautiful Linen

Decorating your bed with beautiful bed linen would arguably be the most fun step in a bedroom makeover. Selecting the perfect quilt cover and pairing it with decorative cushions in your favourite colours can completely transform a space. Firstly, head into Snooze Aspley and pick up your quilt insert and pillows of choice, then choose from a number of other amazing retailers we have at the centre for beautiful bed linen. We love the look of a neutral quilt cover paired with patterned European cushions and 3-4 decorative cushions in your favourite colour. Or go bold with a patterned quilt cover in gingham, paisley or a coastal print paired with cushions in one or two shades featured in the design. To finish it off we love adding a throw blanket or two underneath your cushions for a styled and cosy look.

Creating The Vibe

When embarking on a bedroom makeover you can’t forget the finishing touches in the bedroom to create the ultimate relaxing oasis. Add statement lamps to your bedside tables with a warm globe to create a soft and serene atmosphere. We also love creating a vibe by using a signature scent in the bedroom from a candle or reed diffuser. When selecting a scent for the space it is best to go for subtle notes such as citrus, sandalwood or freshly washed linen. Lastly, to create a personalised touch we suggest styling the bedside tables with a beautiful tray, a stack of your favourite books or a lovely, framed photo with a vase of flowers.

A bedroom makeover should be an exciting and fun experience and here at Aspley Homemaker City we look forward to helping you on this journey. We have a plethora of retailers that specialise in your bedroom needs such as Snooze, Sleepys, Beds n Dreams, Pillow Talk and Forty Winks. If you would like a helping hand with selecting the right pieces for your bedroom, then be sure to book in for your free styling session with our resident stylist today!