Designing the Perfect Nursery: Safe and Stylish
If you are expecting another addition to your family, you want everything to be special and
perfect for their arrival, and that includes their nursery. When designing a nursery, window
treatments play a crucial role in not only the aesthetics but also the safety, comfort, and sleep
quality of your newborn. The right nursery window treatments may help contribute to a
comfortable temperature and safe space for your little one.
Learn what the most important factors are to consider when choosing window treatments for
nursery windows, and then get some inspiration from curated nursery rooms.
Factors to Consider for Nursery Window Treatments
With safety as the main concern for your nursery, there are several special considerations you
need to keep in mind when making your selections:
Best for Kids® Certifications: Choose window treatments with a Best for Kids®
certification. This indicates the treatments are accredited by the Window Coverings
Safety Council and found to be safe for children because they are designed without
accessible cords.
UV-Blocking Materials: Choose heat-reflecting or UV-blocking materials to help keep
the room cooler. Solar Shades are great for nursery windows because they block up to
99% of UV rays to help keep the room cooler while still letting natural light through.
Blackout Materials: Go for blackout materials or linings for the best light control. All
blackout materials and linings block up to 99% of the natural light to create a serene,
room-darkening effect that helps your baby sleep. Plus, they can help keep the room
cooler by blocking sunlight.
Safe Installation: Ensure proper installation of your nursery window treatments to
prevent your child from potentially pulling a section down and causing injury.
Green Certifications: Consider materials with green certifications like GreenGuard®
and OEKO-TEX®. Both indicate that a material has been tested and is free of all or most
harmful substances, making it safer for your home.
Avoid Embellishments: Stay away from embellishments like tassels and beads. These
details make your window treatments much more interesting to a newborn or toddler,
increasing the likelihood they may pull on them. Beads could also become a choking
hazard if detached. Instead, try details such as a decorative tape like Flanders or
Veranda Border, or opt for a subtly patterned material.
Window Treatments for Nursery Inspiration
Now that you know about some key considerations to think through, you are ready to explore
some examples to find the right ideas for your space.
Layers of Subtle Patterns For a soft look, layer subtle patterns throughout your nursery, from
the walls to the window treatments to details like blankets and lampshades. When layering
patterns, try to maintain a similar theme between them all, such as different flora and fauna or
different geometric shapes. Keep the colors warm with a pink tinge for a traditional look for a
girl, opt for shades of blues for a traditional look for a boy, or stick to neutral tones like tans and
greys.
Capturing the Look: A traditional style of drapery, Pinch Pleat features three fingers pinched
near the top of the panel for an elegant and delicate aesthetic. A distressed botanical print offers
soft visual texture in a warm neutral tone. Pair this with a Blackout Roller Shade to help keep
your baby's room cool and dark. A playful design with elephants and botanical elements delivers
a touch of boldness while still fitting into the theme.
Crucial Drapery Safety Tip: When choosing floor-length Drapery, opt for a "break" length where
the panels kiss the floor or a "float" length where they hover just above the floor. This allows you
to avoid excess fabric that your baby could sit on.
"Puddle" length, where the drapery panels
puddle on the floor, is typically unsuitable for nursery window treatments. The excess fabric is
easily sat on, which could stretch or rip the drapery, or even pull the hardware down if not
properly installed.
Warm, Soft & Neutral
If you prefer a calming, neutral color scheme for the nursery, you can easily add dimension
using various tones and natural textures. Woven Wood Shades are a beautiful way to introduce
an organic, earthy feel to the room while keeping the overall palette soft and soothing. To
ensure your baby still gets a restful environment during naptime, simply add a blackout lining to
the back of the woven material. This gives you a warm, textured aesthetic alongside the
room-darkening functionality you need.
Bold Pattern as a Focal Point
While neutral nurseries are incredibly popular, the windows are the perfect place to introduce a
pop of energy. If the walls and furnishings are kept simple, a bold pattern on your window
treatments can serve as a beautiful focal point. Consider Roman Shades or flowing Drapery
featuring a vibrant, playful print. This approach brings visual interest and character to the room
without overwhelming the space, and you can seamlessly pair these treatments with blackout
linings for optimal light control.
Finalize Your Window Treatments for Nursery Selections
Choosing the right window treatments for your baby's room is a wonderful step in creating a
safe, comfortable environment. Whether you decide on the soft look of layered patterns, the
organic feel of woven textures, or a bold focal point, ensuring you have the proper light control
and safety features will give you complete peace of mind. Start by ordering a few free material
swatches to see how they look in your nursery's lighting, and you will be well on your way to
completing the perfect space for your little one.