Setting up a baby’s nursery can seem like a daunting task. What colors should you use? What should the theme be? Do you even need a theme? These are some questions that might keep you from diving head first into decorating bliss. Well, let’s journey together as I share with you my quest to create a “Preppy Chic” Nursery for my baby girl. This “Preppy Chic” mood board pictured here was so much fun to put together. Yes, inspiration, planning, and patience really do go a long way in allowing you to create a dreamy haven for your bundle of joy. So, let’s get started with how to create a mood board for decor inspiration.
How to
1. Get inspired! I’ve recently discovered a website (www.mydeco.com) that allows you to create moodboards and realistic 3D rooms. You can spend hours (I did) browsing their extensive collection of images to create your very own work of art. The really cool thing about the site is that you can sort the items by color. Talk about fun! Your moodboard becomes the foundation for the overall look of your room. You’ll bring it with you when you pick out paint, and also when you shop for furniture and accessories. In addition, tear out pages from magazines and catalogs of rooms you love. You can always find “look-alike” items if there are pieces that are out of your price range. Bonus Tip: Don’t skip this step- it will help you to keep your look pulled together. Think of it as the blueprint for your design.
2. Pick Your Palette: Take your mood board with you when you select your paint. Gather several groupings of paint chips to determine the wall color first, then accent colors that you’ll use in varying degrees throughout the room. You don’t have to be too “matchy-matchy”, but let the chips serve as a guide so you won’t veer too far off from the look you want.
3. The Internet is Your Friend! Use search engines to view décor that you might not otherwise get to see in person. Even if you don’t purchase from the web, it still allows you to see what’s out there without driving all over the place. I’ve experienced finding online sources that don’t have store fronts, but have exactly what I’m looking for. It also allows you to check trends and what’s new and happening in design.
The attitude
4. Go For the Unexpected: Don’t be afraid to use unusual items in a room. I love vintage dress forms……they exude femininity and a certain sense of regality. Why not use one with a beautiful neck corsage of roses and ribbon to decorate a baby girl’s room. I found one for $50.00 on a recent shopping trip at a discount home and garden store. I saw many online from $150-$450…….glad I waited! See point 5 for emphasis. And who would have thought that chandeliers would become a popular feature for in a baby’s nursery? I picked up one at Lowe’s for about $90.00. To reiterate- you can create style at any price point so don’t be discouraged.
5. Patience Really is a Virtue: If budget or time prohibits you from doing everything at once don’t lose heart. Letting a room evolve over time has its rewards. You get to see your handy work come to life slowly, and you can make edits as you go if you change our mind about something.
Want to share your room transformation with us? We’d love to see what you’ve done to the place! Tag us @obaasemaafrica in your social media posts.