Countdown to Your Dream Nursery

When preparing for a new addition to the family, it’s important to get organized around planning and preparing — especially when it comes to designing your dream nursery. That’s why we’ve created a handy printable to keep your nursery progress on track! Download the Countdown To Your Dream Nursery sheet to get started and read on below for more helpful tips.

Countdown To Your Dream Nursery

Create a beautiful space for your baby to sleep, bond and grow with our suggested nursery milestones below. Keep in mind that many of these elements can be pushed forward or back depending on your personal timeline — visit your local Pottery Barn Kids store or connect with us online for any additional guidance when creating your dream nursery.

Weeks 20-23: Planning

Start planning for your dream nursery by gathering inspiration, enlisting help and registering or purchasing key decorative pieces. Select colors and a theme for the nursery and begin building a Pinterest inspiration board like this one or printing a few of your favorite nursery designs to reference. Schedule a free in-home consultation with a PBK Interior Design Services Specialist or ask family members and friends to help plan your space. Once the initial planning is done, you can move on to the fun part: purchasing or registering for your favorite prints and patterns! Don’t forget: When you create a registry with Pottery Barn Kids, you could win everything on it! Every month we select a new winner — see our registry page for details.

Week 24-27: Preparing

If you are planning to paint the room or put up wallpaper, now is the perfect time to do it. If you have carpet or hardwood floors, you can also steam or refinish them so that your nursery has a clean canvas to begin decorating. Finalize and pick out furniture items to purchase, especially if you are ordering a custom piece. Custom upholstery, especially on a nursery chair or glider can help tie together your theme and colors with the room. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the nursery, make sure you are preparing an environment you’ll love to see everyday by selecting soothing shades and sturdy furniture.

Weeks 28-30: Organizing

As you get closer to welcoming baby’s arrival, you’ll want to bring together all of your nursery pieces. Begin your babyproofing plan for the nursery. Start organizing all of your baby items and shower gifts in storage bins and baskets (plus wash baby clothes and begin putting them away). Use the floor plan you created early on to arrange your furniture in the room, starting with the largest items first. This will give you the most flexibility as you finalize the placement of each piece.

Weeks 31–36: Finishing Touches

Now is the time to add those final touches! Purchase any last minute baby essentials you may not have received at the baby shower. Collect final décor pieces like frames, keepsakes and other accessories to help style the space. Lastly, set up a bassinet in your room so that your new little one can be close-by before moving to their nursery.

For more great advice, visit your local Pottery Barn Kids store or schedule a free in-home consultation with a PBK Interior Design Services Specialist.