When to Start Decorating the Nursery During Pregnancy

When to start decorating the nursery during pregnancy is one of the questions I’m asked most often, and for good reason — it’s such an exciting part of preparing for your baby, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re not sure when to begin. I always tell expectant moms that there’s a gentle “sweet spot” in pregnancy when planning the nursery feels joyful, manageable, and wonderfully real, and finding that window makes the whole process so much more peaceful.

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A peaceful, softly lit nursery that makes the decorating process feel relaxed and joyful.

I always tell expecting moms that seeing one or two real nursery examples can make the planning feel less overwhelming and a lot more joyful. Here’s a look at one of the soft, floral rooms that inspired my own timeline—sweet, calm, and completely do-able during that “golden window” of pregnancy when decorating feels exciting rather than rushed.

When to Start Decorating the Nursery During Pregnancy: Finding Your Perfect Window

Once you’ve passed the first trimester and start feeling those flutters of excitement (and maybe a few nerves), the idea of decorating the nursery becomes something you can almost feel in your chest. It’s that quiet moment when you walk into the room that will soon belong to your baby and think, “Is it too early… or is it time?” The truth is, most moms discover there’s a naturally perfect moment to begin — not too early to feel uncertain, and not so late that it becomes stressful. A gentle rhythm begins to form around the 18–24 week mark, when your energy returns and your imagination is finally awake enough to picture the space you want to create. This time frame is what I call the golden window, and it’s when decorating feels thrilling, manageable, and full of possibility.

As you begin visualizing how the room will function day to day, it’s also a good time to think about visibility and peace of mind — my guide to video baby monitors explains placement tips, night vision features, and what works best in a real nursery layout.

Why the 18–24 Week “Golden Window” Works So Well

During these weeks, most moms feel a comforting balance of energy, motivation, and emotional connection. Planning the nursery becomes fun instead of draining. You can dream, browse, sample paint colors, and begin placing orders without feeling rushed. This is also the perfect time to explore nursery ideas that match your unique style. Whether you lean toward a whimsical woodland theme like those featured here: Woodland Forest Animals Nursery Theme or a soft, romantic floral look like the rooms in my Baby Girl Nursery Themes, this is when inspiration turns into action. You’ll feel steady and unhurried, which is exactly what most moms appreciate — calm, helpful guidance that doesn’t make this season feel rushed.

How to Begin the Decorating Process (One Gentle Step at a Time)

Most moms start by choosing a color palette or theme, something that reflects the feeling they want in the room. That might be cozy woodland neutrals, soft ballerina blush, airy French-inspired tones, or even calming earth colors that make the nursery feel like a warm hug. From there, a natural order unfolds: • Week 18–20: Choose theme + colors, browse décor ideas • Week 20–22: Order crib, dresser, glider, storage pieces • Week 22–25: Paint the room, add wallpaper, install lighting • Week 25–30: Style shelves, add textiles, organize dresser • Week 30–34: Final soft touches (plants, lullaby corner, sweet accessories)

If you’re starting to gather the first few essentials for your baby while planning the nursery timeline, my gentle guide on what should I buy first for the baby walks you through the very first items that make the biggest difference.

To help you decide which setup works best for your space, my guide on do you really need a changing table explains the pros, cons, safety notes, and space-saving options.

These phases feel doable — never frantic — especially with a little inspiration sprinkled in.

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A sweet ballerina-inspired nursery with soft florals and a vintage swan riding toy.

How to Stay Calm and Avoid Last-Minute Decorating Stress

Even the most organized moms can feel a little overwhelmed when the due date approaches. I always recommend using a simple three-part strategy to keep the decorating process peaceful:

1. Start early enough to enjoy the creativity.
   Picking fabrics and paint colors is far more enjoyable when you’re not bending over a third-trimester belly.
2. Space out your tasks.
   One weekend for painting, one for furniture assembly, one for styling — it keeps your energy steady.
3. Don’t compare your progress to anyone else.
   Your nursery doesn’t need to be “Pinterest perfect” on schedule; it only needs to feel good to you.

If you love décor inspiration, you might enjoy browsing my Favorite Nursery Ideas Collection where I share handpicked designs from real moms around the country.

What Experts Say About Nursery Preparation Timing

While every mom and pregnancy is different, reliable guidance from pediatric and safety experts suggests planning your nursery early allows time for proper ventilation after painting, assembling furniture safely, and ensuring your crib meets modern safety standards.

If you’re considering using a hand-me-down crib or looking at second-hand options while planning your nursery timeline, my guide on whether it’s safe to buy a used baby crib walks you through recalls, missing hardware, and what to check before deciding.

To make sure your nursery plans include the right safety details from the start, my guide on how to choose a safe crib for a baby nursery explains current crib standards, mattress fit rules, and which add-on products parents should avoid.

If you’d like trusted guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers helpful safety information here: American Academy of Pediatrics .

If you’re wondering about other timing questions during pregnancy, you might also like my Pregnancy Questions page where I answer more common concerns from expecting moms.

My Own Experience Decorating a Nursery

When I decorated my daughter’s nursery, I started right around 20 weeks. I remember standing in the doorway, watching sunlight fall across the empty room, and finally feeling brave enough to begin.

There was something incredibly tender about painting those walls — knowing that in just a few months, I’d be rocking a soft, sleepy baby in that very space.

Starting early gave me time to enjoy the tiny details: choosing her quilt, finding the perfect thrifted lamp, folding onesies while imagining her little kicks turning into baby giggles.

Those memories have stayed with me ever since.

One Last Tip as You Begin Your Nursery Journey

Don’t rush this. Let it unfold slowly and sweetly. Choose colors that make you breathe easier and textures that feel soft against your skin. The nursery isn’t just a room — it’s a little sanctuary where some of the most beautiful moments of motherhood will bloom.

If you need theme ideas as you begin, you might enjoy exploring my master page of Baby Nursery Themes to help your imagination stretch a little wider.

Scroll a little further for more nursery inspiration…

Hi, I’m Jan — the creator of Unique Baby Gear Ideas. I love helping expecting parents discover nursery décor inspiration and creative photo shoot ideas that make every stage of pregnancy feel beautiful.

Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of parents better understand crib models, identify missing hardware, and think through general options when replacement parts are needed. Most of the questions I see come from everyday situations like moves, storage cleanouts, or inherited cribs—not from inside knowledge of any manufacturer.

I’m not an employee, agent, or representative of any crib brand or retailer, and I don’t sell cribs, mattresses, or parts. I’m also not a medical, legal, or crib safety professional. Everything shared here is based on independent research and real-world experience running this site, and is provided for general informational purposes—not official manufacturer guidance or professional advice.

For full details about how information on this site should be used and understood, please review the Unique Baby Gear Ideas Disclaimer.

All articles and images on Unique Baby Gear Ideas are personally reviewed and edited by Jan Bay. Modern creative tools may assist with design or drafting, but every final page reflects my own voice, experience, and editorial judgment.

Comments below as well as visitor submissions via the invitations on select pages reflect personal opinions and experiences shared by readers and are not professional or manufacturer guidance.