Welcoming a baby is an exciting time around the home. But before the baby arrives, mom and dad have some work to do. From selecting the perfect crib to choosing the comfiest nursery chair, here are five tips to make the nursery cozy for the entire family.

The Crib

While many parents don’t necessarily think of the crib as an investment, it truly is. Your child will likely sleep in a crib for the first few years of his or her life. And, if you are planning to have more kids, you will soon find that your crib was in fact, a good investment. When choosing your crib, be sure to check that it meets all of the current United States safety requirements. Although you may want to use a family heirloom or precious antique crib in baby’s room, be cautious, as safety standards have evolved over the past decade, and the crib you may be thinking about using could be dangerous. When it comes to design, choose a crib that suits your style. And, if you are planning on having more children, perhaps consider choosing a crib that is gender neutral.

Noise-Reducing Curtains and Drapes

Noise-dampening window dressings can be a great option for parents who are searching for a way to reduce the amount of noise from outside that is heard indoors. Whether the noise is coming from a busy street or a barking dog, certain styles of drapes and curtains can actually help your new bundle of joy sleep better. Dense materials such as velvet and suede are good for keeping outside sounds muffled. Pleated curtains can help to reduce some noise and layering your window dressings can also make the room a bit quieter and tranquil.

The Changing Table

Possibly one of the most essential items, behind the crib, in baby’s room is the changing table. There are a few possibilities you can choose from when adding a changing station to the nursery. The freestanding changing table is one option. Here, you should be able to access everything you need to change your baby — necessities should never be more than an arm’s reach away. A changing top is a second option. The changing top is different as it is not freestanding but instead a piece that can be added to an existing dresser. For parents with limited space in the baby’s room, a changing top may be the best idea. When choosing your changing station, be sure to consider whether or not it can be repurposed after your baby grows out of his or her diapers.

Aromatherapy

Along with at the spa or in a relaxing bath at home, aromatherapy can be used in the baby’s room. However, keeping the nursery smelling great must be done with caution. Consider using a diffuser in the room; this will both humidify and diffuse the essential oils throughout the space. When adding oils, be sure to dilute them. For example, parents with children ages 0-1 should dilute the oil to one-eighth its concentration.

The Nursery Chair

When the baby arrives, new parents will be spending a lot of time in the nursery. And while it’s important to make the room comfy for your baby, making the room cozy for mom and dad is also crucial. That’s where the nursery chair comes in. While essential to the room, parents can use the nursery chair to add a pop of color to the room or show off their style. Remember, this is a nursery. Choose fabrics that are washable and consider choosing a pattern or print that can hide stains well.