★★★★★ Loved by 10,000+ parents — find your nursery style in 60 seconds

The Ultimate Nursery Checklist 2022

Nursery Design Studio  Â·  The complete nursery planning platform — from first idea to finished room
Designing your nursery? Find your style in 60 seconds →

When designing a nursery, you might wonder what essentials are needed to make it functional. We are sharing this ultimate nursery checklist for 2022.


NURSERY CHECKLIST 2022 : EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE NURSERY


1.CRIB

The crib is undoubtedly one of the key nursery furniture items you'll need. When choosing a crib, consider the style, size, and price. Here at Nursery Design Studio, we love convertible cribs that can grow with a baby. 


2.CRIB MATTRESS

Creating the safest sleep environment for the baby is very important when decorating a nursery. Your baby will spend upwards of 17 hours a day initially on the crib mattress, so you'll need a crib mattress that's safe, comfortable, and durable.


3.NURSERY CHAIR

When we are designing a nursery, creating a beautiful and comfortable nursing nook is very important to us. This is where you'll spend most of your time, feeding and bonding with your baby in the nursery. The nursery chair is the key furniture item that goes in the nursing nook. When shopping for a nursery chair, look for one that has a gentle movement and is super comfortable.


4.OTTOMAN/FOOT STOOl

The nursing nook also needs an ottoman or a foot stool so that you have somewhere to prop your feet up when nursing. 



5.SIDE TABLE

Another nursery furniture necessity? Side table. A side table goes next to the nursery chair and you'll need it to keep your glass of water, phone, creams, etc.



6.NURSERY DRESSER

Even if you have a nursery closet, consider getting a nursery dresser for the nursery- that is if you have the space to fit one in. A nursery dresser offers so much space for organizing baby's clothes, diapering essentials and as a surface for diaper changes.



7.DIAPER PAIL

If you like the idea of a nursery that smells fresh rather than the smell of dirty diapers, you'll need a diaper pail for the nursery. Diaper pails are really good at keeping odors contained, so the nursery doesn't stink.


nursery checklist 2022
NURSERY CHECKLIST 2022

8.HAMPER

With a newborn and constant diaper changes, you'll have lots of baby clothes to wash. Getting a hamper can make your laundry day easier while keeping your nursery clean and organized. 



9.BABY MONITOR

A good baby monitor lets you know whether or not your baby is awake and crying in their crib-giving you the peace of mind. 


BEST BABY MONITOR
BEST BABY MONITOR 2022

10.SOUND MACHINE

Sound machines can drown out background noise so your baby can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. With a sound machine, there's a -constant sound in the background that soothes baby and prevents startling noises from interrupting baby's sleep.


BEST NURSERY SOUND MACHINE
BEST NURSERY SOUND MACHINES 2022

11.HUMIDIFIER

A humidifier is a worthwhile addition to the baby's room since it can help your baby breathe easier, and also keeps baby's skin from getting dry. And, if your baby happens to get a cold, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says a cool mist humidifier can add moisture to the air in the nursery- helping ease congestion.


BEST NURSERY COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER
BEST NURSERY COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER

12.NIGHT LIGHT

A night light provides just enough brightness for late night diaper changes and feedings without being too bright.


BEST NURSERY NIGHT LIGHT
BEST NURSERY NIGHT LIGHT

13.CRIB MOBILE

Sure-a crib mobile is a beautiful addition to the nursery design. But they can also be beneficial for baby's visual development.


14.WASHABLE MATTRESS PADS

Protect the crib mattress from leaks by getting a few washable mattress pads like these ones that are waterproof and fits snuggly around the crib mattress.


15.FITTED CRIB SHEETS

At Nursery Design Studio, we like to keep the nursery bedding to a minimum since baby's sleep safety is a priority. All you really need are two or three fitted crib sheets to complete your nursery bedding.


16.CHANGING PAD/ BASKET

Whether you are using a nursery dresser or a changing table- you'll need a comfortable and safe spot to lay the baby down and change. A changing pad or basket is a nursery essential.

Here are our favorites.

BEST CHANGING BASKET
best changing pad 2022

17.CHANGING PAD COVERS AND LINERS

These nursery essentials make quick diaper changes possible while keeping the changing pad or basket squeaky clean.


18.DIAPERING ESSENTIALS STORAGE

There are three essential zones when designing a nursery and diapering is one of them. To make this zone efficient and organized, incorporating storage solutions for diapering essentials is important. Whether it's a pegboard above the nursery dresser, a rolling cart, diaper caddy or organizers-add storage solutions for storing diapers, wipes, creams, etc.



19.BOOK STORAGE

When we are designing a nursery, we always try to incorporate book storage solutions into the baby's room. It's never too early to build a little library and start reading to the baby. Add shelves, baskets, bins and racks to the nursery to store books.



20.TOY STORAGE

Adding toy storage solutions to the nursery will make all the difference. Bring in a few baskets, bins or a toy organizer to keep the toys contained when it's not play time.



21.NURSERY WINDOW TREATMENTS

Nursery window treatments are an important finishing touch, that's both functional and decorative. In the nursery, the right window treatments such as blackout curtains can block out light, help maintain an optimal internal temperature that's comfortable for baby and keep noise to a minimum. 



22.NURSERY RUG

A nursery rug is an important addition to the nursery design, especially if you have hardwood floors in your space. The right nursery rug can help ground the space, soften your footsteps so you don't awaken baby when you're checking in and bring color/texture to the design.



23.NURSERY LIGHTING

Lighting is a very important element to consider when designing the nursery and can affect the mood of the nursery more so than anything else. Without proper nursery lighting, the space can look small and cramped. Or, by layering your nursery lighting- using multiple light sources, you can create the desired effect and atmosphere you'll love.


24.BOUNCER

In a previous post, we shared the best baby gear for 2022 and one of the items on that list is a bouncer. A bouncer makes a great addition to the nursery because it can soothe a fussy baby and it provides a secure spot to place the baby-freeing your hands for just a bit.

NURSERY CHECKLIST 2022

25.NURSING PILLOW

If you are breastfeeding the baby, a nursing pillow helps prop your baby up next to your breast-so you can position the baby correctly for breastfeeding. It can also reduce the strain on your neck, arm and back from sitting upright for long periods of time.

NURSERY CHECKLIST 2022

NURSERY DESIGNS FROM OUR NURSERY LOOKBOOK

Find these nursery designs and 100's more on our Nursery Lookbook- Industry's Most Coveted Lookbook

DAWSON'S NURSERY
Free tool
Find your nursery style in 60 seconds.

Take our free style quiz and get a designer-approved aesthetic plan built around your taste.

Take the Style Quiz → Free · 60 seconds · No account needed
The complete nursery platform
Six free tools.
One design system.

Everything you need to plan, design, and build your nursery — from style to budget to registry. All free, all in one place.

Style Quiz Room Planner Color Palette Budget Planner Registry Builder Nursery Organizer
Explore the design system → Free · No account needed · Built by designers · Est. 2017
The Nursery Lookbook
450+ curated rooms.
Every one shoppable.

Every nursery designed by our studio. Browse, save, and shop every piece directly.

Shop with us
Designer-curated picks.
Every one linked directly.

No algorithms, no sponsorships — every product hand-selected by our designers and linked so you can shop without the research.

Furniture Organization Décor Lighting Registry Textiles
Shop our picks →
Save nursery