Mums' Tips: Nursery Lighting – Creating the Perfect Atmosphere

As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, there are many decisions to make. From choosing the perfect cot to picking out soft, snuggly blankets, the nursery is where you’ll spend so many precious moments with your baby. One often-overlooked element of nursery design, however, is lighting. Proper lighting is crucial not only for the practical aspects of the room but also for creating a soothing and restful environment for both you and your baby.

In this article, we’ll explore mums’ tips on nursery lighting, offering expert advice from real parents across the UK. We’ll dive into how to create the perfect lighting scheme for your baby’s nursery while also considering safety, budget, and long-term needs. We’ll also touch on the importance of antenatal care and preparing your home for your baby’s arrival during those final months of pregnancy.

Why Lighting Matters in the Nursery

When you’re expecting a baby, creating a calming, restful space is key. Antenatal care focuses on supporting you and your baby during pregnancy, but the environment you create in your home is just as important for your baby’s well-being. Proper lighting plays a big role in that. It affects mood, sleep patterns, and the overall feel of a space.

“It’s not just about aesthetics,” says Emma, a mum from Sheffield. “Lighting impacts how we feel, especially when it’s time to get up for those late-night feeds. You want something soft, calming, and gentle.”

As your antenatal appointments draw to a close and your antenatal checkups become more frequent, you’ll want to ensure that your baby’s room is ready for the big day. Lighting is a simple but effective way to create the right atmosphere while also being functional during nighttime routines.

Types of Lighting You’ll Need for the Nursery

When it comes to nursery lighting, different types of lighting serve different purposes. Whether you need bright light for changing diapers or soft lighting to soothe your baby to sleep, having a range of light options is essential.

1. Overhead Lighting

Overhead lighting is typically your main source of illumination in a nursery. This could be a ceiling light fixture or pendant light, and it should offer sufficient brightness for daytime tasks like dressing your baby or tidying the room. However, it’s best to avoid overly harsh or fluorescent lights, which can feel jarring.

“Having an overhead light that was soft but bright enough for cleaning and dressing was really important to me,” says Rachel, a mum from Bristol. “But when I turned on the overhead light at night, it felt a bit too intense for a calm atmosphere.”

To solve this, you might consider a light with a dimmer switch, which will allow you to adjust the brightness based on the time of day and your needs. You can also use a soft LED light that provides natural, flattering illumination without being too harsh.

2. Night Lights

As night-time becomes a routine, especially during those first few months of your baby’s life, night lights are incredibly important. Soft, low-intensity lights will help you check on your baby without disrupting their sleep, and they’re also useful for those late-night feeds and nappy changes. The right night light can even soothe your baby and signal to them that it’s time to wind down.

“We bought a cute star-shaped night light that gently changes colour,” shares Sarah, a mum from Manchester. “It’s soft enough to leave on while she sleeps, and the colours help her drift off peacefully.”

Consider looking for night lights with soft, dimmable settings that allow you to adjust the glow. Choose one that doesn’t cast too much light into the room, but still provides enough illumination to check on your baby without startling them.

3. Task Lighting

Task lighting is essential for more specific tasks such as reading bedtime stories, changing nappies, and dressing your baby. This can be achieved through a small lamp or bedside light that provides a bit more illumination than a night light but is still soft and easy on the eyes.

“Having a bedside lamp near the crib was essential for me,” says Joanna, a mum from Leeds. “I could use it during late-night feeds or when I needed to check on her without turning on the overhead light.”

For task lighting, you might want a table lamp or desk lamp that can sit on a dresser or side table near the crib. Look for lamps that have adjustable brightness so you can create the perfect atmosphere for different activities.

4. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting can add an extra layer of warmth to your nursery. This type of lighting doesn’t serve a practical purpose but can be used to enhance the room’s atmosphere and give the space a peaceful and inviting feel. You could use wall sconces, string lights, or LED strips to create this soft effect.

“We have fairy lights around the window, and they give the nursery a beautiful, magical glow at night,” shares Claire, a mum from Brighton. “It’s a lovely touch, and it helps create a relaxing vibe for bedtime.”

While accent lighting can be stunning, remember that it should be safe—ensure all wires and lights are properly secured, especially if you have little ones who are mobile.

Mums’ Tips for Choosing the Right Lighting for Your Nursery

When shopping for nursery lighting, there are several factors to consider. These include functionality, safety, energy efficiency, and the overall ambiance you want to create. Here are some tips from real mums across the UK:

5. Safety First

Ensuring the safety of your nursery should be a top priority when selecting lighting. Mums agree that it’s essential to choose lights that are child-safe and free from any hazardous materials, such as exposed wires or sharp edges.

“I made sure that the night light I chose was certified as safe,” says Jane, a mum from Glasgow. “We also made sure there were no cords hanging around that she could pull on.”

Opt for lights with enclosed bulbs and sturdy bases to avoid the risk of tipping over. It’s also important to buy lights that are certified for use in nurseries. Many retailers offer baby-safe lighting options, which can give you peace of mind.

6. Energy-Efficient Lighting

As new parents, you may be up at all hours of the night, so energy-efficient lighting is an excellent choice. LED lights are an energy-efficient option, lasting longer and consuming less power than traditional bulbs. Additionally, they emit less heat, making them safer for baby rooms.

“We switched to LED lights in the nursery, and not only did it save on our electricity bill, but the lights didn’t heat up like incandescent bulbs,” says Natasha, a mum from Newcastle. “It’s perfect when the room is so small.”

Look for energy-saving LED bulbs or lamps that have been rated as energy efficient to save money and help the environment while also creating a warm, inviting space for your baby.

7. Choose the Right Colour Temperature

The colour temperature of the light can have a huge impact on your nursery’s atmosphere. Warm white light (between 2700K to 3000K) creates a calm, relaxing environment, while cool white or daylight light (above 4000K) can be too harsh, especially in the evening when your baby needs to unwind.

“Warm white lights made a huge difference for us,” says Mary, a mum from Oxford. “It helps to set the tone for bedtime and keeps things soothing.”

When choosing lightbulbs or fixtures, check the colour temperature on the packaging to make sure you’re selecting one that will help your baby sleep better.

8. Consider Dimmable Lights

Having dimmable lights in the nursery is incredibly helpful. They allow you to adjust the lighting based on the time of day and your baby’s needs. For example, you can brighten the room for daytime tasks and dim the lights when it’s time for sleep.

“Dimmable lighting is a game changer,” says Louise, a mum from Cardiff. “It’s so handy for feeding in the night or just checking on my baby without waking them up.”

Many modern nursery lights come with dimmable features, and some even have smart controls that allow you to adjust the light from your phone or remote.

Final Thoughts: Creating the Perfect Nursery Atmosphere

As you prepare your home and nursery for your baby’s arrival, it’s important to focus on the small details—like lighting—that will make a big difference in your daily routine. By choosing safe, energy-efficient, and adjustable lighting, you can create a peaceful and functional space for both you and your baby.

Whether you opt for night lights, task lighting, or soft accent lights, the key is to create an environment that’s calming and conducive to sleep. With the right nursery lighting, you’ll be able to tackle those late-night feeds, soothing sessions, and bedtime routines with ease.

And as your antenatal yoga sessions wind down and you prepare for the birth of your little one, consider how lighting will help you create the perfect environment for bonding with your baby. You’ve got this!