Nursery Hacks New Parents Need to Try

(Image via Apartment Therapy)

It’s very easy to get wooed into the world of sweet and sentimental DIY ideas for nurseries and babies. The nesting phase for some starts right when they see that plus sign; pin boards get created and dreams of crochet rattles take over the brain. But for most, the high hopes of crafting the perfect infancy for a new baby are just that—high hopes.

Before you head to the lumber yard to build the perfect mid-century modern-style crib, take a moment to really assess what’s worth DIYing and what’s better—and safer—to BIY, er buy. “When it comes to making things for your newborn baby, you have to think of safety first,” says Jane Nussbaum, Editor-in-Chief of Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine. “Anything that your child is going to sit in, sleep in, be carried in—those things are carefully regulated by safety guidelines that should not be ignored.”

Nussbaum also suggested tackling projects that feel impactful, yet won’t suck your precious time away. “For the novice knitter, making a sweater to fit a three-to-six month old might not be the best use of your time. Babies grow faster than new parents might realize and all that labor will only see the inside of the closet.” Nussbaum also cautions against decorated onesies—be sure that the materials that you are using are non-toxic and attached securely. (Babies have a way of getting everything in their mouths.)

Yahoo DIY asked Nussbaum what sorts of projects could reasonably be tackled by both the new and the seasoned crafter. Here are some quick and easy ideas that will give a nursery a personal, creative touch.

MOBILES

Hanging out of a baby’s reach, mobiles are a great project to undertake before the baby arrives. Make sure to hang securely over the changing table, not the crib.

Craft paper, a circle paper punch and an embroidery hoop is about all you need to make this cascade of color. Use different shades of the same hue to create that trend-forward ombre look. (Image via Merely Mothers)

Use dowels or sanded sticks to create this polka-dot dream out of felt beads (find every size and color at Tadaa Studio). It’s a graphic and dynamic way to grab a baby’s attention. If you have a really good sleeper, you may have a little extra time to make this cute yarn pom-pom mobile. (Image via My Sparkle)

For an edgier, more modern look, paint or stain plain wood blocks to create this geometric mobile. Babies respond to black and white from the early days, so that might be a neat direction to go with this. (Image via Curbly)

DRAWER PULLS

An easy update to any room, just change out standard drawer pulls on your dresser or changing table for something a bit more whimsical.

Collect new or vintage yo-yos and turn them into drawer pulls. Make sure that the string is securely glued into the center and that the two sides are also adhered together firmly. (Image via Parents.com)

For about $10, you can buy a wooden puzzle in a gazillion different themes. Animals, tools, dinosaurs, flowers…the options are virtually endless and the chunky pieces make adorable custom pulls. (Image via At Home In Love)

Every baby will end up with at least three sets of alphabet blocks before she turns 2. Why not sacrifice a few to the dresser gods? (Image via Better Homes & Gardens)

FRAMED WALL ART

If these walls could talk, they’d say…decorate me! You don’t need to spend thousands on artwork or months on a custom-painted mural. Here are 3 ideas that give you a lot of bang for your buck.

You’ve seen it a dozen times, but it really never gets old—the teeny-adorable-article-of-clothing-in-the-frame trick. If you are guilty of knitting that sweater that only fit in the summertime, this is a great way to show off your handiwork. (Image via Little Green Notebook)

While it may feel wrong to rip the pages out of a book, rest assured that there are more where that one came from. Children’s book illustrations are so beautiful and make for great wall art. (Image via Thimbly Things)

It’s very hard to stop posting pics of your little nugget on Instagram and Facebook. Let those photos live outside of social media and create a cool little timeline of your baby’s days. (Image via Little Inspiration)