Interior design: creating a unisex nursery

Making the nursery special for your child does not mean it has to match the sex of the child.

There are two main reasons you might want to design a unisex nursery. The first reason is the rare chance that you may have twins or multiple children of different sexes. The second and more likely reason to decorate a unisex nursery for your unborn child, is not knowing the sex of the child. Designing such a room can be difficult. In fact, it may be so difficult that you will be tempted to inquire about the child's sex even when you have made an agreement to wait for the surprise. Meanwhile, you still have a nursery to design. Making the room special for your child does not mean it has to match the sex of the child. Use these ideas to create a unisex nursery.

When choosing colors for a unisex nursery you will want to pick colors that are neither masculine nor feminine. Though bright primary colors like red, blue, yellow, black, and white, will work in both boys and girls rooms, you must remember that the child's eyes and senses may not be able to handle such strong colors. Instead, use pastel versions of these colors. When used together, light blue, pale yellow, pick and green go well together in any room. If you want to stick to solid colors, you may want to use baby blue and pale green, as girls are more likely to use masculine colors than boys are to use feminine colors. A green or blue room can always be touched up later by adding yellow and pink accessories. You will also want to avoid purples and dark browns, although natural neutral beiges are a wonderful alternative to all those frilly baby colors.

You will also want to be careful with the patterns you choose for your room. There will be patterns in the bedding, chair cushions, window treatments, and accessories. It would be wise to stay away from flowers, butterflies, and fairies, as they are too girly. Likewise, avoid trucks, planes, and other boyish patterns. Instead, stick to gingham, plaid, stipes or ticking, mixed and matched with solid colored pieces as well.

When designing your unisex nursery, remember the child will occupy the room and probably live with the design for a number of years. You will want to create a base design leaving room for additional decor to be added later. Begin with subtle starter designs that are further developed after the child is born, or as it grows older. You can start with a subtle design like soft faux textured walls, or clouds painted on the ceiling and upper walls on top of a blue background. A simple park scene is also a great start for a nursery design. You can always add characters to the park scene as the child gets older. You may want to consider using bible themes, which work well and are neither masculine nor feminine. Noah's Ark can inspire an infinite number of designs, as can Jesus in the manger, from the shepards and animals worshiping at the cradle to the wise men bringing gifts. Other themes that would work well for both boy and girl babies would be teddy bears, horses, and baby ducks.