Earlier this year I was asked to contribute to an article at Rent. about how to create a calm and soothing nursery. Ultimately, I feel that a lot of this comes from the colors you choose and how it’s set up! Designing a nursery that has functionality on top of aesthetics that appeal to you will make it a comfortable place you don’t mind spending time in.

One of the biggest fears parents have about inviting a photographer into their home is that their space doesn’t look good enough for photos. With the (beautiful) chaos of bringing home a new baby, cleaning your house is understandably the last thing on your to-do list. And I’m here to tell you – that is 100% okay.

When you book a newborn photo session with me, you’re getting family photos as well. We will find a few spots in your house with good light to get a variety of photos. This usually includes the living room, the master or a guest bedroom, and the baby’s room.

Here are some tips to make that space not only functional, but photo-ready (not perfect!) while you’re planning it out. Don’t worry though – having a nursery set up for baby is in no way a requirement for in-home newborn photos.

Tip #1: Pick a color palette that makes you happy! 

You may have heard there are colors that make a room bright or enhance specific feelings. To create a calming space, you’d choose colors that add to the calm, soothing environment you want.

It’s equally true that choosing colors you love will help make the baby’s room a space you’ll enjoy spending lots of time in. And let’s be honest – you’ve got A LOT of future diaper changes, feedings, play times and bed times in this room! You will also love the look of the photos taken in the baby’s room when the color palette makes you smile.

Tip #2: Take a minimalist approach to decorating the nursery

Cluttered walls, shelves, and over-stuffed closets can create feelings of overwhelm and make the room feel small and closed-in. 

You can make a significant design impact with a handful of the right pieces of decor. Keeping the ‘stuff’ to a minimum will make the space as open and bright as possible.

Tip #3: Organize the nursery with functional furniture

Having pieces of furniture in the baby’s room that serve multiple purposes is a game-changer. Find things that fit your theme or color palette, are functional, and fit well in the space you have. That way they will serve a purpose for the first several years of your child’s life!

Investing in a closet storage system will also be more than worth it. You can find budget-friendly systems at Ikea (this is what we have!), Home Depot, or Lowes that utilize the closet space. These help you organize the baby’s necessities and keep other furniture needed to a minimum and cut down on clutter.

To sum it up – your home will be perfect for capturing those precious newborn moments no matter what. The beauty of in-home newborn photography lies in its authenticity and the comfort it provides to your family. Focus on creating a space that brings you joy and serves your family well. Your home is enough, and your moments are enough!