Along with these there are nonconceptual elements, those which are seen and touched such as the colour of the walls, the flooring, the fabrics, the furniture and the accessories. Both categories are important, but it is essential to start with the first to get the second one right.

 

Safety is fundamental in a child�s environment. When the baby starts to crawl any object can become a risk. Consequently, you must be careful with electric sockets, furniture corners and flooring, mainly. There are specific devices for plug sockets to protect the baby or protectors decorated with children�s designs.

 

Furniture should be fitted with rounded corner pieces and large mats or rugs placed on the floor for the child�s comfort.

 

Stimulation is a basic principle because it affects the newborn�s development, as they gradually start to pick up on each and every signal emitted around them. In order to encourage this, it would be beneficial if the decorative objects and furniture boosted the child�s learning. Hanging mobiles, pictures on the ceiling, the use of various colours, murals painted on some of the walls or accessories made in geometric, floral or animal shapes would be perfect.

 

Closely linked to stimulation, fun and irreverence are two concepts which play a natural part in childhood and somehow stimulate their brain and imagination. It would not do any harm for the chosen items to promote amusement and the discovery of new worlds.

 

Peacefulness is crucial in a child�s world. A relaxed environment helps them to grow better. This is achieved with colours which help to calm rather than excite, such as white, vanilla and pale pink, blue and green, with the correct distribution of the furniture (not too much, not too cluttered) and with daily airing and cleaning.

 

Space and functionality are related concepts. If the second is correctly applied, the first can increase. Space is very important for children as when they are no longer in a cot, the bedroom will be where they play and eventually study. Consequently it is recommended that the chosen furniture be practical, flexible, fold-away if necessary, and adaptable to the rapid changes that the baby will experience in short periods of time. 

 

Putting personal taste to one side, as that will come into play when choosing colours, fabrics and furniture, the objects which a newborn�s room must contain are: a cot (which will be removed when the child sleeps in a bed), a bed; a table and chair for drawing or playing;  a play pen (optional); trunks, baskets or boxes to store toys; shelves (optional); and a chest of drawers, which as well as serving as somewhere to store the baby�s clothes, will act as somewhere on which to rest the changing mat, as such the parents could have to hand, in the first drawer, all of the necessary tools for this task (nappies, wipes, sponge, cream, etc.).

 

Decorating styles are varied and personal. From following traditional models which establish the different sexes through colour, to less conservative options which separate colour choice from the gender of the newborn child, as well as matching fabrics, feminine, tender environments for girls� bedrooms, functional rooms where the bed is on a mezzanine in order to make the most of the remaining space, bedrooms full of toys and cuddly toys, rooms full of brightly coloured plastic furniture� There are sufficient trends to cover the needs and demands of different families.

 

Design has been brought into the realm of children with full force, an area which is no longer satisfied with classic objects, although these endure thanks to the suitable renovation of old-fashioned formats. Renowned artists, interior designers and decorators have entered the world of children, bringing originality, fun and the avant-garde.

 

Their contribution has been fundamental in modernising these rooms. Nevertheless, irrespective of the aesthetic option chosen, the key to getting it right when decorating a baby�s bedroom lies in putting yourself in their place, making yourself smaller and bending down to see things from their point of view.