4 unsafe nursery design trends to avoid
Decorating for a new baby can be overwhelming, and of course you’ll want the space to be as perfect as possible for you and the new arrival. There’s nothing wrong with looking for inspiration and ideas online, but keep in mind that lots of the photos taken by influencers on social media don’t actually present a good working model for a nursery space.
When looking to get ideas for how to design your little one’s nursery, it’s tempting to follow the trends that you see looking so good online. But did you know that many of them are actually not safe designs for nursery spaces? Here, the child safety experts Safetots will take you through some examples so that you can get a heads up on the nursery design trends to avoid.
Wall decorations above the cot
It’s very common in photos on social media to see decorations hung above the cot. If your cot is placed against the wall, the wall space above the cot should be left completely bear. This is because it’s very easy for things to accidentally fall off the wall into the cot or onto your baby, and however much you secure something, this is always a danger.
Mirrors, picture frames, and shelving should be kept for areas that aren’t above your baby’s bed. You can still find ways to brighten up the wall space above the cot by painting the wall as an accent wall, adding a mural, or putting up some kid-friendly stickers such as stars or flowers. This way, the space can look colourful and welcoming without using anything that might cause injury.
Pillows in the cot
As tempting as it is to make your cot look as comfortable and luxurious as possible, babies shouldn’t sleep with a pillow until they are at least two years old, so if your little one is younger, you should avoid them. This is because pillows come with a risk of either overheating or suffocation. Like soft toys and teddies, they might also be used by your baby as a foothold to climb out of the cot, which could be dangerous.
It's important that babies sleep safely, and this is widely thought to mean sleeping on their back, with nothing nearby that can overheat them. Laying their head on a pillow can tip the baby’s head forward too much, causing them to struggle to breathe because of the positioning. It’s best to keep your cot plain and follow NHS guidance on how to help your baby sleep.
Cot bumpers in bedding
Another common misconception is that your cot needs crib bumpers to make it comfortable enough for your little one. In fact, this causes danger of overheating and breathing difficulties. This is because when your baby first starts to move around and roll, they won’t yet be able to roll back the other way again, which can lead them to being pressed up against fabric if there is a cot bumper.. So, resist the temptation to make your cot look as comfy as the ones you see online, and keep it simple to allow some breathing space for your baby.
Some bumpers will be advertised as ‘breathable’ or ‘mesh’, but these are still not recommended. You’re better off sticking with a traditional crib setup that won’t obstruct sleeping or cause dangers. If you are worried about your little one getting their arms stuck between the bars of their crib, or hurting themselves without a cot bumper, invest instead in a good quality cot with safe spacing or mesh, as this will keep them comfortable during sleep without the worries of a bumper.
Canopies, fairy lights and blind chords
It’s important to recognise that however pretty hanging decorations might look, they put your baby at risk of strangulation — or at the very least, at risk of getting themselves tangled and becoming uncomfortable. You should avoid having these decorations in your nursery while your child is a baby or toddler, as many youngsters have a tendency to be very curious and may reach for the decorations or put them in their mouths.
So, keep these decorations till your child is much older and instead find alternative ways to make your nursery look welcoming. It’s also worth noting that blind cords can be a risk too, so you might want to change your blinds if you have this type in your baby’s room — the same goes for curtains if they have chords. You should also watch out for canopies above the crib, which are a no-go, and be careful to tape up any wires, such as the ones used to plug in a lamp.
- Peter Boast, Managing Director at Safetots comments:
“It’s fun to decorate and design your baby’s nursery, and you’ll likely spend lots of time looking for inspiration online and following influencers who take photos that you like the idea of. However, it’s worth noting that many of these shots will be staged and might not reflect the actual environment the baby is sleeping in when the camera is off. So, don’t get caught up in social media trends and make sure you follow health advice.
“Babies often love to climb out of their cribs, so as well as the surrounding accessories, it’s important to place the cot in a safe location. Keep it away from the window — despite the scenic shots you see online of cribs placed near window frames — and away from any wires or other obstacles. When your little one grows enough to sleep in a cot bed, you can also use a bed guard to keep them from rolling out of the bed accidentally as they sleep. You can also add child-proof locks to drawers and cupboards in your little one’s room for when they’re more mobile. Keep safety as the first thing in mind when designing your baby’s room, and it will follow naturally that the room becomes warm and welcoming.”
