If you hope to begin your family in your newly-purchased home, you’ll no doubt cast an eye toward which room will serve as a nursery. We thought it might be fun to take a look at how other parents are designing and decorating theirs, so we turned to the experts for the 2017 nursery trends and some safety tips. ## From pastels to earthy, muted colors Since the color scheme you choose is the basis of every design element in the nursery, consider your choice of paint color carefully. Last year, Pantone’s announcement of Serenity and Rose Quartz as the year’s colors ushered in a slew of nurseries swathed in peachy pink and lavender-blue tones. While pastels are still popular this year, soft, earthy tones are being introduced — think beige, turquoise, olive and terracotta. This year, Pantone gives us “Greenery” as 2017’s color of the year. Rather than use it on the walls, however, it’s more suited to providing “a vibrant pop of color to increase the interest of the room,” suggests Belivin’Design. They go on to caution that “if you want your kids to fall asleep at some point, . . .don’t get carried away with it.” If you want to stick with pastels, consider Dunn Edwards’ Tranquil Eve, a soft lavender or Benjamin Moore’s Seaside Retreat, a beach-inspired blue. ## The crib as a design statement They’re called “statement cribs,” and you’ll find examples online at projectnursery.com, potterbarnkids.com, wayfair.com and the pricey but gorgeous Pod crib from Ubabub. The cribs, typically roomy with asymmetric lines, are crafted from modern materials, such as acrylic (easy clean-up!). Many have gorgeous canopies and, although matching furniture in the nursery was declared passé last year, it you want them, you’ll find armoires, chairs and more to match your modern crib. ## Nursery safety Toxic compounds affect infants and newborns far more quickly than older children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although confined by a crib or your arms now, that little one will soon be crawling and exploring every possible part of the nursery. And, as we all know, what they pick up typically ends up in their mouths. When choosing paint, consider purchasing low VOC – short for volatile organic compound – paint. “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are emitted by different gases and solids such as paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings,” according to the experts at Home Depot. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that some organic pollutant concentrations are two to five times higher inside our homes than outside. A low or zero VOC paint will help maintain healthy indoor air in the nursery. Carpets are also guilty of emitting toxicants in the home, especially newly laid synthetic types. It’s known as “off-gassing,” and although the largest release occurs within the first 72 hours after the carpet is laid, low levels will continue to off-gas for up to five years, according to best-selling author, Dr. Joseph Mercola. “The ‘new carpet’ aroma is the odor of 4-PC off-gassing, which is an eye and respiratory-tract irritant that may also affect the central nervous system. The adhesive used to affix the carpet to the floor typically contains benzene and toluene, some of the most harmful VOCs,” he cautions. The solution? Ditch the carpet and install tile, hardwood or laminate flooring and scatter throw rugs to keep the tiny one warm while exploring.
