Designing the Perfect Nursery: Timeless Pieces That Grow With Your Child
It’s an exciting time for the Tangram team as not one, but two, of our team members are starting a new and exciting chapter – parenthood! Wouter and his wife Katy have just welcomed into the world their gorgeous little girl and Pippa and husband Donald are expecting their little boy any day now.
In light of this we thought it would only be apt to discuss the art of nursery design!
Creating a nursery can be one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new arrival. It’s a space that should feel calm and comforting but also practical enough to handle the day-to-day realities of family life. However, often nurseries are filled with disposable, short-lived pieces as most will deem the space to be temporary. But it’s important to recognise that well-designed furniture and accessories can create a room that not only works beautifully for a baby but continues to adapt and evolve as your child grows.
Here are some of our favourite design-led ideas for a nursery.
Smart Storage
From clothes and toys to books and baby essentials, storage is a must in any nursery. A modular system such as USM Haller is ideal because it can be tailored to your needs now and easily reconfigured in the future. You can start with a compact unit for nappies and muslins, and as the years go on, transform it into shelving for toys or even a desk setup. It’s an investment in design that truly grows with your family. We also adore the idea of a Haller baby changing station – since posting this image on social media, USM have unsurprisingly been inundated with positive feedback. If you would like help designing a changing station, please do get in touch with our team. The possibilities with the Haller system really are endless!
A Comfortable Chair
Nurseries are places where you’ll spend plenty of quiet moments – from late-night feeds to bedtime stories. A comfortable chair is essential, and we recommend choosing one with supportive cushioning and the option to recline or rock gently. Not only does it create a cosy corner for parent and baby, but it’s also a piece that can move into a living room or study later, blending seamlessly thanks to its timeless design.
Playful Accessories
Adding a sense of fun is just as important as practicality. Playful design icons, like the Eames Elephant, bring charm and character into a nursery while still carrying the hallmarks of great design. These pieces double as décor and toys, sparking joy for children and adults too.
Layering with rugs
No matter whether your style leans minimalist, maximalist, or somewhere in between, a nursery should always be a space that sparks joy - not just for your little one, but for you too. A rug is a simple yet effective way to introduce colour and personality into the room. Depending on your preference, this can be done subtly with soft, muted tones or more boldly with vibrant patterns and hues.
Practical Lighting
When it comes to nursery lighting, practicality is just as important as style. Portable lights are a fantastic solution for those late-night feeds when you need gentle illumination without the harsh glare of overhead lighting. The Follow Me lamp from Marset is a particularly clever choice - it features a handle that makes it easy to carry from your bedroom to the nursery, giving you just the right amount of warm, calming light without disturbing the rest of the household.
Curtains & Window Treatments
Good sleep is a priority, and blackout blinds or lined curtains can help establish a soothing sleep environment. Beyond practicality, window treatments are a chance to introduce texture and softness, whether that’s through flowing linen drapes or patterned fabrics that tie in with the rest of the décor.
Designing a nursery is about finding that balance between practicality, comfort, and joy. By investing in thoughtful, design-led pieces, you can create a space that feels special for those first precious months but also has the flexibility to adapt as your little one grows. From clever storage and cosy corners to playful accessories and calming lighting, every detail can help transform a nursery into a room that truly celebrates family life.
If you’d like advice on curating timeless furniture and accessories for your nursery, or any space in your home, our interior design team at Tangram would be delighted to help.
0131 556 6551 / [email protected]
