If you’re starting to plan the nursery, you may be interested to find out what styles and colours have made it into the top nursery trends. As fashions change and colours fall out of favour, it can be hard to keep up with what is hot for nurseries. Here are some of the top recent trends:

1. Chevrons – these have been stealing the show in baby stores for a couple of years now, and show no sign of going anywhere. A simple yet striking pattern, chevrons can give your nursery the wow factor. From high contrast monochrome, attention-grabbing brights, and subtle yet beautiful pastels, the world is your oyster with this trend. You can throw yourself into this trend by covering the walls in chevrons, or just add a hint here and there with pillows and throws.

2. Pastel shades – pastel colours can be found in fashion stores, wedding bouquets and baby’s nurseries. You could choose a single shade, or mix an assortment of pastel colours together. From pastel coloured bedding, to painted shabby chic furniture, pastels can create an atmosphere of serenity and calm in your baby’s nursery.

3. Brights and whites – this modern yet classic look is perfect for a nursery. White walls and furniture, livened up by the unforgiving brightness of baby toys, clothes and blankets. Baby products often come in bright, vivid colours, make the most of this by having them on show. From assorted colours of cloth nappies, to brightly coloured soft toys, and beautiful crocheted blankets, allow your baby’s clutter to bring colour to the room.

4. Wall stickers – these allow you to transform a room in a single movement. There are so many designs, colours and styles of wall stickers available, you won’t struggle to find one that looks at home in your nursery. From cute sayings, to bold prints, wall stickers can give you the freedom to change the nursery  whenever you want.

5. Eco – environmentally friendly home decor can be beautiful, affordable and will help your nursery to stand out from the crowd. From organic bedding, recycled cribs, and upcycled wall art, there are so many unique and stylish options for your nursery. Whether you choose a few key pieces that meet eco criteria, or set yourself the challenge of decorating the entire room without damaging the planet, there’s room for a little bit of eco in every nursery.

6. Gender neutral – if you have chosen not to find out the sex of your baby, you may be forced to choose a gender neutral colour scheme for your nursery. If you have found out the sex, however, it doesn’t mean you have to go down the traditional soft pink or baby blue route. Navy, greens, and reds are all gaining popularity as gender neutral colours for nurseries.

Have you started looking for nursery inspiration? What colour will you be decorating your baby’s nursery?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

It’s safe to say, we’re all a little bit more aware of our impact on the planet these days. From the methane created by farming cows, to the air miles used in the production of our new dress, we spend a lot of time feeling guilty. If you’ve ever worked out your carbon footprint, you’ll be surprised how much it increases once you add children into the mix.

In fact, while you’re running about buying baby baths, onesies and bibs, your unborn child is running up a quite substantial carbon footprint of their own. And they’re not even walking yet. If you’re hoping to raise an environmentally conscious child, you can start now by leading a good example. When choosing items for your baby’s nursery, follow the steps below to create an eco nursery for your baby (and his teeny tiny carbon footprint) to enjoy.

1. Use eco paints – the average paint (even water based) contain volatile organic compounds, chemicals and fungicides. It hardly sounds like something you want to house your baby in, does it? Eco paints are made with natural ingredients. Some eco paints are greener than others, so do some research to find the most sustainable paints before you buy. Eco paints come in a variety of colours, and are just as durable as conventional paint.

2. Furnish with love – when choosing your furniture, look for solid wood. Veneers and laminates are likely to contain a number of harmful chemicals that may be released over time. Reuse and recycle are important core messages of eco living, so consider using second hand furniture in the nursery. Your friends or family may have a chest of drawers you can have, or you might pick up a bargain at your local second hand shop. Second hand furniture can be sanded down and repainted (with eco paint) to make it look as good as new. Wear protective gear when sanding, and be sure any hand-me-down pieces meet today’s safety standards.

3. Go organic – when choosing a mattress for your baby, choose organic. Your baby will spend around 14 hours a day on the mattress, and non-organic ones contain chemicals and toxins that may be harmful for your baby to breathe in. Once you’ve selected an organic mattress, it makes sense to use organic bedding too. You should be able to find organic bedding for around the same price as non-organic bedding, so there’s really no excuse not to buy it.

4. Eco toys – you’ll probably want some toys to fill the nursery, but these don’t have to be the battery powered plastic toys that seem to flood the market. These toys often have a relatively short life cycle, and soon end up in landfill. By choosing wooden eco toys, you can give your baby toys that will last. From organic cuddly animals, to wooden instruments, your baby won’t be missing out by owning eco toys. You can find lots of great baby toys at your local charity or thrift shop too, so keep your eyes open for a great find.

5. Keep it clean – once you’ve spent time and money creating the perfect eco-bubble for your precious bundle, there’s no point coating it in harmful chemicals in the name of cleaning. Track down some organic cleaning products to use in the nursery, not only are these better for the environment but they will protect your child from coming into contact with potentially harmful chemicals.

No one is expecting you to do it all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a few eco purchases. Every eco decision, no matter how small, will have a positive impact on your family’s carbon footprint and, ultimately, the planet.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.