Decorating a Nursery with Murals
“Congratulations, we’re pregnant!” I remember vividly when my wife told me the news: a thousand thoughts blew through my mind, along with every emotion. After the excitement and anxiety passed, we begin to prepare for the new arrival, like other expectant parents do. For my wife, the nesting had begun. For me, I was racing to make sure all my unfinished projects were completed and that everything was baby proofed. Once the projects were completed, we were ready for the fun of buying and decorating for baby, and the first task for me was to decorate the baby’s room!
Decorating a nursery is second nature for some parents, while for others it can be an overwhelming experience. Lots of questions arise, such as, Where do I begin? What colors should I use? What theme should I pick? My wife and I chose not to know the sex of the baby, so how do we decorate for that? These are all common and natural questions that are resolvable.
Where Do I Begin?
A lot of factors can come into play when figuring out where to begin decorating your baby’s nursery. Nine months may seem like a lot of time, but it goes by fast! I always recommend buying the furniture- or at least knowing the dimensions of it- for the room in which you are getting artwork produced. By doing so, you and the artists can visualize where images can be placed in the room, while still allowing you to rearrange the room in the future. It can be frustrating to have furniture block large amounts of a mural, not allowing your little one to enjoy it. Also, colors or themes from accessories, such as pillows, blankets or stuffed toys, can be incorporated in the artwork on the walls to make the room harmonious.
What Colors Should I Use?
Colors are limitless. Traditionally, soft pastels are used; however, new research and products, such as Baby Einstein, suggest that babies react to vibrant patterns of certain colors and black/white images in their first months of development. As a result, such patterns and images can always be added into the composition. If there is a future concern about repainting over vibrant colors someday, put those worries aside, for today’s primers, such as Kilz or Zinsser, have excellent hiding power to cover a variety of surfaces.
What Theme Should I Pick?
Themes are a personal choice, but there are a couple of subjects with which you can never go wrong. Recreating storybook illustrations, animals, cuddly dragons, fairies, sports themes or soft airy clouds and stars are always great old standbys. Themes will definitely be influenced by whether the room is for a girl, boy, or for both to enjoy. If a theme eludes you, talk it over with a muralist and in no time, ideas will begin to develop.
Before man invented language, images were the means of communication. Murals are a wonderful way to add another dimension to your child’s learning and safe environment. They can be soothing, interactive, and enjoyed by the whole family! Whatever themes or colors you decide on or are influenced by, your child or children will love the great gift you have given them!
