Nursery decorating: 13 things I wish I'd known

In the 26 weeks I've been pregnant, I've learned a thing or two.

For example, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are an acceptable meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner and second dinner. I've discovered the "Snotsucker" is a real product that apparently I have to invest in. And I've learned my husband and I have about 10,000 decisions to make when it comes to getting our apartment ready before our baby girl arrives this July.

Should I get a bassinet for my newborn in addition to the crib? Where should the changing table go to best facilitate my exhausted self in the middle of the night? And days ago, when a friend asked me what my nursery theme was, I realized I don't really have one. But if I had to describe it, it would be "small baby stuff meets even smaller apartment."

Now, I'm not the only mama-to-be searching for answers. Fortunately, several of my co-workers are parents and are dishing out their helpful tips — easing my stress as we inch closer to that looming due date.

So from us to you, here's what TODAY parents wish they'd known before decorating their nurseries:

1. Make sure everything you could possibly need is within easy reach of the changing table.

Think of diapers, wipes, more wipes, changing table covers, laundry hamper, poop bucket (i.e. your diaper disposal system), burp cloths, a pacifier, etc. The last thing you want to do is step away from the baby and risk him rolling off because you need to grab something clean to slide under his butt post-poop explosion. -Meena Hart Duerson, TODAY.com managing lifestyle editor

2. Avoid clutter.

You'll be carrying a baby back and forth in the middle of the night and a misplaced chair (or playmat, toy, book, etc.) can be brutal to trip over when you're not expecting it. On this note, make sure you have lots of functional storage space so you have easy places to tuck things when you're done using them, instead of leaving them scattered on the floor. -Meena

3. Two words: washable wallpaper.

You'll be thankful when that first pee spray hits the wall. -Meena

4. Don't be afraid of the dark.

Make sure the lighting in your nursery can mimic nighttime anytime. That means a heavy enough curtain or window shade (some people recommend blackout shades) to fake the dark when it's time for a nap during the day. We installed a very cute window shade only to realize a few months in when we started to use the crib for naps that the shade barely blocks any daylight. And babies are no dummies! Ours thinks bright light means party time and he doesn't want to be left out of whatever fun is being had, so he strains to stay awake even if he's cranky. But he knows that darkness means bedtime, and his eyes get droopy when the lights go out. You don't have to make your nursery a dungeon, but give yourself the option to fake it and you'll all rest easier. -Meena

5. You can make any light a nightlight.

Just buy "nightlight" bulbs at the hardware store and transform your favorite lamp into decor for your baby's room. -Meena

6. You will care — eventually.

I never had the nesting urges the (many) pregnancy books assured me I would. Living in limited Brooklyn square footage, I thought giving our little guy a room to himself was preparation enough. I mean, we upgraded to a two-bedroom just for him! But after Sullivan arrived, I suddenly felt that urge — and I wasn’t too late! -Lauren Sullivan, TODAY.com senior editor

7. Pick a theme.

I found one piece I loved (this felt airplane mobile from a baby shop around the corner from our apartment) and went from there with a travel theme. We discovered a world map wall decal for over his (mini) crib and saw adorable baby animal portraits to hang alongside it. On the opposite wall we have black-and-white photos of Paris street art that one of our dearest friends got us for our wedding. Now the space feels like us as a couple — and what we want to instill in our little Sully: a sense of travel and exploration! You know, with baby tigers. -Lauren

8. A mini crib is a crib.

We were very anxious BS (Before Sully) that we wouldn’t have enough room to fit all of his (apparently necessary) stuff. But after someone told me about the mini crib’s existence, I was assured by a trusted source that “in Europe, what Americans call a ‘mini crib’ is just a crib.” And it’s true! Not only is it perfect for a smaller nursery, but it folds down easily if you want to move it into your room — like when your little one’s a newborn. We’re holding onto this compact gem until Sully’s ready for a real bed. -Lauren

9. The art makes the difference.

For us, framed prints that weren’t themed or particularly babyish, but are whimsical/colorful and otherwise interesting have aligned with all of our tastes and have held up to five years of changes, including several room swaps. One tip here: Framed, printed fabric swatches were an inexpensive craft-fair find (think Etsy vendors) that are unique and the girls love. -Carissa Ray, TODAY.com supervising multimedia producer

10. Incorporate touches from people who love them.

We live away from most of our friends and family, but we all love elements that bring our loved ones into the girls’ room. I’m not suggesting that every antique relic that someone bestows upon you needs to make the cut, but from those who know you and your taste, incorporating them into the décor can add even more warmth and love into the space.

Some examples:

• Knowing that my original nursery idea (before we tore everything up and moved more than 2,800 miles away) incorporated nocturnal animals, my husband’s grandmother gave us a hand-painted owl night light that her mother had made, and my husband and his dad had used as children.
• My best friend made an adorable string of pennants made from scrap-booking paper for my baby shower décor that worked perfectly in the nursery, and has lasted through the toddler years. Guests at the shower also made little owls out of felt and Styrofoam, and two of the cutest ones are still on a shelf in the girls’ room.
• Some of my and my sister’s toys and cherished “artifacts” I held onto in a little “treasure box” that fit the room décor became a special treat for the girls to explore when they got old enough, and now some random little "Star Wars" toys are prominently displayed on a shelf (and get played with / fought over too) — thank goodness Princess Leia is still all the rage!
• Being remote, even when Reilly was teeny, we made sure to have a framed photo of her with each of her sets of grandparents in the room. Now we also have a bigger collage prominently displayed that has photos of all the girls’ grandparents and great-grandparents, which has become a reference point for all of the stories we tell them about their family. -Carissa

11. Gray is your friend.

That white upholstered glider chair that looks so sweet now will be stained a dingy taupe in a few years. Choose something that’s easy to wipe off, has a cover you can replace or hides stains. They are inevitable. -Lisa Tolin, TODAY.com special projects editor

12. Skip the crib sets.

Adorable crib bumpers are a hazard to your child, and you shouldn’t have a blanket or other bedding in the crib for the first year. Don’t worry, the crib will look super cute with a fitted sheet — because your baby will be in it. -Lisa

13. You don’t have to surround your child with gender stereotypes.