Designing Nurseries for Multiples
If you are expecting more than one baby, your head is probably swirling at the idea of putting together a nursery for multiples. Don’t worry! There are lots of ways to create a functional, unique space for your babies, yourself, and your partner.
One of the first decisions that you need to consider is whether your children will be sharing the same room or if they will have separate rooms. There are many parents of multiples that fear that the babies will wake each other up if they share a room. However, most information available show that the babies will actually grow accustomed to being in the same space and sleep through each others’ awake times. Many multiples that have been put in separate rooms end up sleeping together anyway because they are comforted by and used to having their siblings close to them.
If you decide to put your babies in the same room, the first step is to plan, plan, plan! No matter what the size of your soon-to-be nursery, space planning is key to making your space functional. Clearly, you will need more than one crib in the space depending on how many babies you are expecting. Many parents choose to put their cribs side by side so the babies can be aware of their siblings being close to them.
Another additional piece of furniture to consider would be an additional glider, rocking chair, or even a twin bed. If you have the space, having a place for both you and your partner can help avoid one of you ending up on the floor with a crying infant in the middle of the night while the other one rests comfortably in a chair. Try laying out the sizes of the furniture that you are looking into purchasing on the ground with blue painters tape. Live with the arrangement you like for a few days and try walking through the space. This will help you visualize how much of the room will be taken up by large furniture and help you decide what the best placement may be.
Storage is the key when you are designing a nursery, especially for more than one baby. If you can try to look at your space not only as far as where things can go from a floor plan point of view, and think of where you can have additional storage vertically, you might be surprised how much more space you actually have. Is there a doorway where you can have built-in book or display cases installed around the entire door including above it? Do you have space above a closet that can hold decorative storage bins for extra diapers or blankets? Use your vertical space wisely, but remember to always anchor heavy or large pieces of furniture to the wall so little ones cannot climb on them and injure themselves. Be creative in your storage solutions and try to think about all of the ways you can use a piece of furniture. You can always build a box that slides out from under the cribs to store extra bulky items such as diapers or blankets. Or you can purchase an armoire or dressing cabinet can easily double as a changing table with lots of extra storage with the help of a safety strap installed from the changing pad to the back of the furniture. This is also a piece that can grow with your children and be used for years to come.
Once you decide what pieces might fit into your space, it is time to start the fun part! Choosing the colors and materials you will use in the space can be overwhelming especially if you are expecting both boys and girls. Whether you decide to go very gender neutral, or gender specific, there are great options out there for you. Start by finding either a color palette or a fabric that you are drawn to.
This boy/girl nursery was inspired by the colors of the Burberry pattern. The parents love the color and that became the inspiration for the whole nursery. Remember that you don’t have to follow it literally. You can vary from its pattern, scale or even color as a way to create a space that works for you. The camel, red and black colors used throughout the space were directly inspired by Burberry, but the pattern itself was not used at all in the space.
Many times, finding one small piece of inspiration such as the Burberry pattern can set the tone for your whole room. Don’t be afraid to use color to define your space. Many parents of multiples use color codes to keep their children’s spaces individualized. If you love orange and pink, find some shades that can be used together and define the babies separate spaces with them. You can paint the wall behind one crib orange and the other pink. This idea can be replicated in rugs, bedding, accessories, etc. This can also help the babies learn to identify their personal belongings a little later down the road. Always remember that your nursery can be different than what you see in magazines and in stores.
There are many ways to make your multiples nursery unique. Not everything in the space has to be matchy-matchy. Don’t be afraid to mix and match bedding sets, or have them custom made to suit your taste. Babies are stimulated by almost everything in their environment, instead of using “typical” artwork and accessories, you can use family heirlooms like your childhood china plates hung on the wall out of reach (you can find these many places like antique stores if you don’t have some and you like that look and feel). Frame the babies’ hospital hats, ultrasound pictures and hospital bracelets in shadow boxes backed with pretty papers. Not all nurseries have to be covered in animals and recognizable characters if you are looking for something different or nostalgic. While this space is for and about your multiples, it should be comfortable and pleasing to you and your partner as well.
Have fun creating this very special and unique space for this amazing time in your life. If you love your space, your babies will love it too.