1. Consider the room's location and other practicalities

If you have a choice, choose a quiet room close to your bedroom so you don't have to walk far at night. Make sure that a cold room has adequate heating and a warm room has good ventilation. If the windows let a lot of light in, it may help your baby to sleep at night if you put black-out blinds or curtain linings up to keep the room dark.

2. Create your own mood board, but keep your design simple and focused

Search the internet and magazines for pictures you love and piece them together to create a mood board. This will help you to pick your colours, keep your ideas focused and pull your theme together. With all the gorgeous nursery furniture and accessories available, it's easy to over-decorate. Keep it simple and decide on a single focus for the room early on, such as a piece of furniture or artwork. Think child-friendly, not childish. Choose a neutral background and mix in age-appropriate accessories and you'll reduce the need to redecorate every few years.

3. Choose soft, tranquil colours and think about an adaptable décor

Consider using colours that are calming and nurturing. When your baby gets older she will tell you what he or she wants, so take this special time to consider what makes you feel relaxed. With the demands of a newborn, most mums need calm more than anything.

Think about how long the nursery décor will last your baby. Wall paper with characters might have to be changed in a few years if your child finds it babyish or out-of-date. Wall stickers are a cheap, easy alternative for decorating that can be removed when your child gets older.

4. Think about safety

If you are buying a new cot it should conform to safety standard AS/NZS 2172. This standard ensures that the cot is deep enough to be safe for your baby, that the bars are the correct distance apart, and that the cot does not have cut-outs or steps.

Create a safe zone around the cot by positioning it away from windows, heaters, lamps, wall decorations and cords. Keep furniture that your baby could clamber on to away from the cot too.

A night lamp will also ensure that you stay safe while attending to baby during the night.

5. Select key pieces first

Select your furniture pieces before you start decorating. Parents often choose their colours first, but it's actually easier and cheaper to match paints, fabrics and wallpaper to your key furniture pieces. As well as a cot these other items are also key to a great nursery.

1. A comfortable, stylish nursing chair

2. A chest of drawers that doubles as a changing table (such a space saver);

3. Storage baskets - for keeping the nursery tidy and for a practical place to keep nappies, toys, and other essentials.

4. A soft, easy-to-clean wool rug to give the nursery warmth and be the hub of the room when it comes to tummy time and playing.