Setting up the nursery: the complete checklist
Setting up the nursery isn't about filling it — it's about creating a few simple, safe zones. Here's the room-by-room checklist: the essentials, what can wait, and the safety points you can't skip.
When to do it
Ideally around the 7th month. Furniture often takes weeks to deliver, and a freshly painted room needs airing well before baby arrives. There's no rush on sleep: health authorities recommend baby sleeps in the parents' room for the first 6 months — so the nursery can come together calmly.
The sleep corner
- A cot (a convertible one, or a crib to start) with a firm mattress cut to the exact size of the cot.
- Fitted sheets and 2 mattress protectors; season-appropriate sleeping bags — no duvet, pillow or cot bumper.
- A baby monitor (audio-only is plenty at first).
The changing area
- A changing dresser or a stable changing surface at a height that spares your back.
- A changing mat with raised edges, with everything within reach (nappies, cleanser, cotton).
- A small dedicated bin, ideally with a lid.
Never take your eyes off baby on the changing table, even for a few seconds, even before they can roll over. Keep one hand on them and supplies within reach.
Storage and clothes
A wardrobe or a dresser is enough. Sort by size (newborn, 1 month, 3 months…) so you can see at a glance what's left to wear before baby moves up. For how much to get without overstocking, our checklist of what you actually need gives item-by-item guidance.
Safety
- Tall furniture anchored to the wall (tip-over risk).
- No curtain or blind cords within reach of the cot.
- Covered sockets, night light away from the cot, no small detachable objects in the bed.
- Room temperature around 18–20 °C (65–68 °F).
Atmosphere
A soft, adjustable light (dimmer or small night light) makes night changes easier without fully waking baby. Blackout curtains help daytime naps. Keep décor light: a few coordinated pieces beat an overstuffed room.
What can wait
Nursing chair, elaborate décor, high-end changing table, humidifier: none are urgent. Put the budget into sleep and changing gear; add the rest after the birth, once you know your real needs. Many of these make great gifts — add them to your registry with ideas by budget instead of buying everything at once.
Frequently asked questions
- When should you set up the nursery?
- Ideally around the 7th month: furniture can take weeks to deliver, and a freshly painted room needs airing for several weeks before baby uses it.
- What are the essentials for a nursery?
- A cot with a firm, correctly sized mattress, a changing surface, storage for clothes, a soft light source and a baby monitor. The rest can wait.
- Where should the baby sleep in the first months?
- Health authorities recommend baby sleeps in the parents’ room (bedside cot or own cot) for the first 6 months, so the nursery can be set up without rushing.