Decorating a baby nursery can be a somewhat daunting prospect, especially if you are a first time Mom. There are so many decisions to make, so little time. You feel a stress-attack coming on. Wait. Stress is not good for baby.

Relax. Take a deep breath. Baby nursery design can be fun, if you take it one step at a time...

Step 1: Baby safety is your first concern. Be sure to take this into account throughout the baby nursery design process. Make sure you've done everything you can to keep your baby safe in the nursery by using this comprehensive protect your baby in the nursery checklist.

Step 2: Decide on a room style. Cute, modern, traditional, ethnic, the choice is yours. This decision will affect your furniture, theme and color scheme choices.

Step 3: Select a baby crib. The crib will form the focal point of your baby nursery. Take your time and choose wisely. Shape, style, finish and durability are among the factors you should consider.

Step 4: Find baby nursery furniture to complement your crib. Essential furniture items include: a baby changing table; a rocker or glider; a night stand or table and a nursery hamper.

Step 5: How will you provide nighttime light in the nursery? A dimmer switch, sconce, chandelier or nightlight, are among your options. Choose more than one if you like.

Step 6: Choose your baby nursery flooring. Do you want it to match the rest of your home? Do you or your spouse have a history of allergies? Baby may be susceptible too. Take this into account when you make your choice.

Step 7: Decide whether or not you would like to decorate with a nursery theme. Anything goes from cowboys to flowers, pirates to butterflies. Or something more modern, such as blocks or stripes.

Step 8: Work out a color scheme. This will be influenced by your nursery theme if you have chosen one. If not, be guided by the room style you chose in step 2. For example, soft pastels will work with cottage but burnt orange, creams and browns are a better idea for modern.

Step 9: Decorating the baby nursery. Now that the practical stuff is out of the way, get on with the really fun part. Choose your paint, wallpaper, mural, pictures, bedding. Buy stuff, sew stuff, glue stuff. Let the room come alive and move in your furniture.

Step 10: Hang your nursery curtains. Add a block out blind if you want baby to sleep well!

and...

Step 11: Go shopping. Time for that great baby nursery shopping spree you've been waiting for. What's on your list of things to buy?

* Equipment for the baby nursery. For example, a breathing monitor.

* Things for baby's layette. For example, diapers and tiny booties.

* Goodies to keep baby happy. For example, a crib mobile and a baby gym.

* Cool baby gear. For example, a stroller and diaper bag.


Step 12: Finally, pack away all those little baby goodies. Sit back, relax and wait for baby to come and change your life forever.

In the meantime, take a couple of minutes to enter our baby nursery photos contest. Just send in the pictures of your completed nursery - you can win great prizes!