Turning a Nursery into a Cozy Sleep Sanctuary
Being a new parent is a wild ride, isn’t it? One minute you’re cooing over your little bundle of joy, and the next, you’re frantically Googling “how to get a baby to sleep through the night.” Trust me, I’ve been there.
When my daughter Rory was born three and a half months ago, I quickly realized that creating a peaceful sleep environment was key to keeping both of us sane. As a first-time mom, I had visions of a perfectly curated nursery straight out of a magazine. But real life quickly intervened, and I had to get creative to block out the noise and light that were disrupting Rory’s (and my) beauty sleep.
Tackling the Tricky Windows
The biggest challenge in Rory’s room was the arched window. I wanted to maximize the natural light, but I also needed to be able to turn the nursery into a dark cave for naps and nighttime. After doing some research, I landed on a solution that’s been a total game-changer: custom Roman shades on the bottom, coupled with a cozy pillow tucked into the arch.
As I shared on The DIY Playbook, I originally ordered the custom Roman shades and pillow back in March, but the pandemic caused delays with the local drapery company I was working with. In the meantime, I had to get creative with some cheap temporary blinds to ensure Rory’s room was dark enough for sleeping.
Once the custom pieces finally arrived, it was a total game-changer. The Roman shades glide up and down easily, so I can quickly adjust the light level as needed. And that pillow? It’s the perfect fit for the arch, blocking out any lingering rays while still allowing us to enjoy the beautiful architectural detail.
Soundproofing 101
Of course, controlling the light was only half the battle. Noise pollution was another major concern, especially with our open-concept floor plan. I knew I needed to find a way to create a peaceful, distraction-free environment for Rory’s naps and nighttime sleep.
According to the experts at Residential Acoustics, the key to soundproofing a nursery is to address potential sound leaks at the windows, doors, and even the floors above. For the windows, I opted for heavy, soundproof curtains that not only block out noise but also 60-90% of the volume of bothersome outside sounds.
And for the door? I went with a customizable sound-blocking panel from Residential Acoustics that hangs over the doorframe. This baby (pun intended) creates an acoustically sealed barrier, preventing any hallway rumblings from waking up my sleeping beauty.
Keeping Everything in Reach
With the noise and light situation under control, I turned my attention to making the day-to-day tasks of parenthood as smooth and hassle-free as possible. After all, the last thing I want to worry about when I’m in the middle of a 2 a.m. feeding is where I left the burp cloths.
As I shared on The DIY Playbook, I’ve set up strategically placed storage solutions throughout the nursery to keep all the essentials within arm’s reach. A tray on the changing table holds our go-to diaper and wipe supplies, while a small caddy next to the glider chair keeps burp cloths, bibs, and extra wipes at the ready.
And let’s not forget about the all-important bottle holder on the side table. With this genius gadget, I can plop down Rory’s bottle without worrying about it tipping over and making a mess. Gotta love those little life hacks that make new parenthood a little bit easier, am I right?
Creating a Cozy Oasis
At the end of the day, my goal for Rory’s nursery was to create a cozy, distraction-free oasis where she could sleep soundly and I could actually enjoy those precious bonding moments. And let me tell you, I think we’ve nailed it.
Between the custom window treatments, soundproofing solutions, and strategic storage, this space has transformed into the ultimate sleep sanctuary. Rory sleeps like a champ, and I can finally relax without worrying about every little noise waking her up.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for another feeding. Wish me luck!
