This Baby Safety Month, nursery furniture expert at Silver Cross guides expectant parents on how to design a nursery which feels stylish whilst also keeping your little ones safe.

Mike Allison, nursery furniture expert at Silver Cross, lists six mistakes to avoid when it comes to designing a stylish and safe nursery.

Placing pillows, duvets and blankets in the cot

"As the temperatures begin to cool, you may be tempted to try and cosy up your little one’s nursery with duvets and blankets. It's important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature - not too hot or too cold. A cosy nursery can still be achieved through window dressings and minimising any draughts."

Not anchoring nursery furniture to the wall

“In a nursery, you’ll likely have at least a couple pieces of nursery furniture, such as changing units and wardrobes. These items are ideal for creating a nursery space that feels stylish and elevated. But a common mistake new parents often make is not fixing these heavy items to the wall. It’s a good idea to do this ahead of time, in the nesting phase, before your baby begins to move around independently in their space.”

Positioning mobiles above the cot

“Hanging mobiles above a baby’s cot used to be an incredibly popular nursery design choice. However, in more recent years, as people become more aware of safety considerations, it is now encouraged to avoid this once traditional touch, to avoid your baby pulling on the strings or falling into the crib.

“Instead, place the mobile above your changing unit (out of reach of) where your baby is never unattended, this way you can still bring in a touch of whimsy into the space, with added peace of mind.”

Using second-hand cot mattresses and cots

“Second-hand cot mattresses should be avoided, where possible, because a used mattress, even by a sibling of a new baby, may contain bacteria which could be potentially harmful to your little one. It may also have sustained wear and tear, and can no longer provide the necessary support your baby needs when they are resting.

“Older mattresses may not meet current safety standards, so it is always advised to buy a new one from a reputable nursery brand.

“Cots should also ideally be bought new where possible. Cots are more susceptible to damage than other nursery items through usage. Things, such as teething and the conversion of the cot to a toddler bed, can damage them, so I would recommend, where possible, purchasing new.”

Keeping toys in the cot

“Similarly to blankets and pillows, your cot should never house toys, even soft plushies. The Lullaby Trust recommends keeping your baby’s cot completely clear of any loose items until at least 12 months old to protect your baby against the risk of SIDS and overheating. I would encourage expectant parents to do their research on how to ensure a safe sleep environment ahead of baby’s arrival and The Lullaby Trust is a great place to start.

“This also extends to decorative items. At the start of September, many fill their homes with autumnal (and Halloween) decorations. If you want to bring in these cosy touches into the nursery, I would suggest focusing this on any shelving units or windowsills in the nursery. This way you can bring the theme into the space whilst keeping it out of reach of your little one.”

Hanging floating shelves

“Often, nurseries are the smallest room in the home and so parents have to get creative with nursery design, functionality and storage solutions. Floating shelving units are a great way to maximise the space available, lifting the eye, as well as making an ideal spot for decorative and personalised touches.

“When it comes to designing your space, just make sure that you hang any shelving or picture frames well away from both your baby cot, as well as your changing unit. This will help to keep your baby safe should anything fall from the shelf.”