Family vacations can be stressful. Even if you’re exclusively planning for your core family, it is difficult to find a destination that suits everyone’s individual tastes. And that’s just planning. Taking the trip itself can be challenging. With all of the expectations and the money that goes into these trips, how in the world do we get out of them what we’re expecting?

Maybe our expectations are part of the problem? If you’re spending a week in Orlando, there is no possible way to see and do everything. Taking the family to New York? You’re not seeing everything there is to see there in a week, either. Yet, we still try. We develop crazy schedules pushing us and our kids here and there in an effort to get as much in as possible.

But are we missing the point? I think we are. I am super guilty of this. Exposing our kids to new and different things is a valuable and worthwhile undertaking. But isn’t the real point of a family vacation just spending time together? My family gets so wrapped up in our school and sports schedules that having that time to just hang out is where the real value lies. On our last trip to Orlando, we did something liberating…we scheduled times to just hang out by the pool at our hotel. Relaxing on vacation shouldn’t be such a novel concept but can feel that way.  My wife and I have both said that we want to get the most value out of the trip. Maybe that’s not just a monetary consideration. Maybe the real value is not the external experiences we have, but the internal experiences we have with our family that provides the real value.

Our last trip to Disney provided something of an epiphany. We had just spent four days at Universal but wanted to squeeze in a day at Disney. My legs felt like jelly and I trying to survive at this point. I’m positive we had the kids hopped up on sugar and we’re in line to meet Mickey Mouse. My three-year-old would not stand still and started running around. I gave in to the judgmental looks of all the parents around me and started chasing him to bring him under control.  But he’s fast. I’m not.

And then it hit me. I was right in the middle of a memory that my kids and I are going to laugh about when they’re older. Yes, I looked ridiculous. No, this is not a moment I want to be posted to social media. But it was a moment to remind me why we are there, to begin with. I eventually caught up to him and grabbed him up into my arms. He was expecting me to scold him and maybe I should have. However, at that moment, I hugged him a little tighter and gave him a kiss on the cheek and let out a laugh—thankful for my imperfect family vacation.

I'm a husband, father, marketer, family vacation planner and now a podcaster!  I recently started a family travel podcast called the Family Vacationer.  I love traveling, help others travel, and talking about traveling.  Being a dad is my greatest adventure and I am thankful, every day, for that opportunity.  

If you wear a fitness tracking device chances are you spend each day counting down the steps till you reach that victorious 10,000 steps mark, but do really need to take that many steps each day to be healthy? New research says maybe not.

When you’re chasing a toddler around all day you might not even need a lot of extra motivation to get all your steps in each day, but when it’s almost bedtime and you see those steps clocking in below 10,000 it can make you feel a little defeated. A new study finds that you might not gain any extra benefits from hitting that goal, however.

photo: Rawpixel

The study published in in JAMA Internal Medicine found that getting only about half that many steps per day are linked to a decreased risk of early death for older women. It also found that the benefits start to plateau over 7,500 steps per day.

While this study was focused on women ages 62 to 101, other recent research has pointed to the fact that any exercise provides health benefits for people of all ages and is better than none at all. One study found that just replacing 30 minutes of sitting with any kind of movement lowered risk of early death by 17 percent.

“Just do a little bit. If you just do a little bit, you’re better off,” says study co-author I-Min Lee, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet 10,000 steps.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

RELATED STORIES

The Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy & What New Research Has to Say

How Much Exercise Should Your Kids Get? Doctors Offer New Guidelines

New Exercise Guidelines for Pregnant Women You’ll Want to Pay Attention To

With summer around the corner the countdown to Stranger Things Season 3 is on. From clothes to LEGOs, and even bicycles, there are a slew of items hitting stores perfect for chasing demi-gorgons and outfitting your Stranger Things summer.

Here are some of the best new items inspired by the Upside Down.

photo: Courtesy of H&M

H&M Collection

Netflix has teamed up with H&M on a Stranger Things collab to outfit a summer in Hawkins. Graphic T’s, swimwear, and Gorgon-print rompers are just a few of the items available that are inspired both by the popular series and the awesome ‘80s era. The collection will be available in stores worldwide and on hm.com, starting May 23.

photo: Courtesy of Schwinn

Schwinn Bike

Step back into your childhood with an ‘80s era Schwinn inspired by Lucas Sinclair’s ride from the first two seasons of Stranger Things. This limited release special edition bike, featuring a classic banana seat with a camouflage bandana accessory, will be available on Amazon starting May 15 for $349.99

photo: Polaroid

Upside Down: Polaroid Originals

Capture those summer adventures with a Polaroid camera inspired by the Upside Down. The Upside Down: Polaroid Originals is a Stranger Things version of its retro-style OneStep2 Camera available for $109.99.  All of the text and icons featured on the camera are flipped upside down as a nod to the show and the camera also features a built-in “paranormal” flash, powerful enough to “kill monsters.” In addition to the classic 600 film and i-Type film, a Stranger Things-edition color instant film with 16 different designs is also available.

Stranger Things LEGOs

Get ready master builders, your favorite plastic bricks are headed into the Upside Down. No details yet on what promises to be an epic Stranger Things LEGO collab, but Netflix and LEGO have both shared some very cryptic messages on Twitter, saying only that more info is coming soon.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of Netflix

 

RELATED STORIES

Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Is Coming Back to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights

The “Stranger Things 3” Trailer Is Here & Summer Can’t Get Here Fast Enough

Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Season 3 Will Premiere with a Bang This Year

photo: Edward Cisneros via Unsplash

Being picky about the shows your children watch is important.  Knowing the content of the shows is also important. I’m amazed at just how many children’s shows are floating around on the numerous digital highways out there (i.e. hulu, Netflix, cable TV, etc).  I’m equally amazed at just how many of them are total rubbish.

As you have probably guessed…I am quite choosy about the shows my kids watch.  My better-half is also on the same page and we were both very excited to watch the Sound of Music with our children. They were 3 and 4 years old when we watched it together as a family for the first time, all snuggled together “deep-couch sitting” with our popcorn and blankets.

Until this moment the only movie they had seen with real-life people (not cartoons) was Mary Poppins.  My oldest is a boy and he has always been quite inquisitive and is definitely an “old soul.”  His biggest take away from Mary Poppins was the fact that women couldn’t vote.

His pointed questions as to “Why didn’t men want women to vote?” and “How silly that people thought women weren’t as smart as men,” should have tripped my alarm bells for content with the Sound of Music movie, but it didn’t.  I’m sure you’ve guessed what his take-away from this movie was from my title of the blog…incase you haven’t, it’s explaining Nazis to your 4-year old.

““All children have questions about life and how it works. It’s important as parents that we answer these questions with as much honesty and integrity that we can.”

One of the personal rules I live by when it comes to questions with anyone is this: if you’ve got the guts to ask the question I will give an honest answer.  Just be ready for the truth. Obviously with children tact comes into play.

What I did was provide an accurate, honest, and simple answer to his question “Who are the Nazis and why are they chasing Maria and her family?”

““Nazis are a group of people who believe that nobody else can look, feel, think, or act differently from them and if you do they try to harm you. They were chasing Maria and her family because Maria and Captain Von Trapp believe everyone deserves a chance to make up their own minds and the Nazis didn’t like that.”

That was the broad-reaching answer I gave.  Of course we discussed it further in bits and spurts as more questions came up for him.  This back and forth banter went on for about 2 ½ months before the daily questions stopped.  He still brings up the topic but seems “satisfied” with the answers he was given. His main fear was about Maria, and if she and the children were going to be safe.

““Momma b, how did they kill so many people?” “They told them they were going to take a shower, locked them in a room and put bad chemicals in the air which made them stop breathing.”

Direct, honest, and factual, but I didn’t go into the details.  Every child matures differently physically and emotionally. I know my son very well, and his pragmatic little brain was able to hear what I said and process it.  I didn’t want to sugarcoat the type of people Nazis are to my caucasian, blonde hair, blue-eyed boy. My response to how they killed so many people is true. What it is not is easy to hear or digest.

Just because something can be digested doesn’t mean it has to taste good.  We encourage our children to eat “horrible things” like broccoli because we know it’s good for them and their bodies.  I encourage parents to “feed their children broccoli” when it comes to how and what they teach them. Cut it up into bite-sized pieces but don’t sugarcoat how ugly humanity can get.

I often find myself telling my children that all people have good and bad qualities.  Even people who call themselves Nazis more than likely have some good qualities, but it’s hard to see when their bad qualities overshadow them.

History isn’t pretty and mankind hasn’t always been kind.  So don’t do your children a disservice by shielding them from the basic realities of life.  Teach them that there will always be people who want to harm other people. However, there has always and WILL always be people who will want to help others.  I tell my children everyday to be a helper in a world of need.

““We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread.” — Viktor E. Frankl- a Holocaust survivor.

I am a 42-year-old biological mother of two young children in a same-sex relationship, a clinical psychologist with a specialty in neuropsychological assessment, a music therapist, a trainer of therapy dogs and ex-communicated Mormon from Indiana with a wicked sense of humor. 

If you’re on your second or even third cup of coffee for the day, don’t feel bad. New research shows those extra cups are doing more than helping you get through the day chasing a toddler. In fact, coffee could help you live longer.

Experts have long been conflicted over the health benefits (or lack thereof) of drinking coffee and while some past studies have shown links between coffee drinking and living longer, there still exists a taboo about drinking too much coffee. However, recent research shows that those extra cups are perfectly healthy. The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that even heavy coffee drinkers lived longer than those who drank no coffee at all.

photo: Emre Gencer via Unsplash

Using data from over 500,000 people ages 38 to 73, the study concluded that drinking anywhere from one to eight cups of coffee per day was inversely associated with mortality. This was true regardless of the type of coffee, including instant and decaf. In other words, pour yourself another cup and enjoy a long life with your kids.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

RELATED STORIES

The New Candy That May Replace Your Morning Cup of Coffee

10 Buzz-Worthy Coffee Subscriptions You Need to Try

More Fair Trade Coffee Is Coming to Target & Here’s Why It’s So Awesome

If chasing butterflies is your family’s idea of a dream day, then you might want to pay a visit to California where the Painted Lady butterfly migration is currently underway. All you have to do is look up for an amazing view!

Following rainy periods in Mexico and the southwest United States, the orange and black-winged Painted Ladies, also known as Vanessa cardui, make their way north in droves this time of year, which makes for an incredible sight.

“We were seeing at least 100 of them a minute,” Doug Yanega, senior museum scientist at the University of California, Riverside’s Entomology Research Museum, told Los Angeles Curbed.

If weather remains mild, Yangea explained, the butterflies will continue to make their way across the skies as they they travel even further north in the next few months. Then in August they will make their way back down south again in a second migration for the winter.

Can’t make it to SoCal? You can always set your eyes on Twitter and Instagram where videos of these winged beauties are filling feeds for the moment with the hashtag #butterflymigration.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Martina Misar-Tummeltshammer via Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES

How to Prevent Jet Lag for Your Spring Break Adventures, According to Experts

9 Genius Airport Hacks for Parents Traveling With Kids

Epic Spring Break Travel to Plan Now

Problem: You want to create a comfortable, happy haven for your little one, but have zero time to scour those design blogs—and what exactly is a “mood board,” anyway? Solution: Snag one of these innovative products that’ll make you look like a design pro in no time. From a play table that grows with your kid to actually writing on the walls, scroll down to see them all.

photo: Beddys

Problem: Your kids don’t make their bed.

Solution: The incredibly stylish all-in-one bedding from Beddy’s will give you Joanna-Gaines worthy beds in literally, seconds flat. How? The bedding essentially is like a comforter + sheet set that fits any size mattress (there’s even a toddler size). You simply zip it up along the sides to make a seamless look. Unzip to give yourself breathing room in the night, or keep it zipped up for coziness. Think of it like a giant lined sleeping bag for the fanciest bed in town. The sheet-lining is ridiculously soft and comfortable (we tested it ourselves) and comes in either cotton or “minky” line. In spite of our skepticism, washing them up was super easy. Added bonus? Your partner can’t kick the sheet down in the bed

See all the styles at: beddys.com, from $129

Problem: You want a style-savvy rug, but you’re worried about the mess.

Solution: The play mats from Comfort Design Mats are completely waterproof, with cushy padding that make play easy for everyone from babies up to grade schoolers. Measuring in at 6 ½ by 4 ½ ft, there are 12 different designs, ranging from classic to contemporary, to choose from. Spills wipe up easily, and you can even put furniture on top of the mat, which gives it a real floor covering feel.

Available at Comfort Design Mats or Amazon, $139 & up.

Problem: You want your playroom to look Houzz worthy, but … kids

Solution: The hidden storage compartment in the poufs from Mimish Designs means you can sweep all those LEGO bricks, stuffies, LOL dolls or whatever else is on the floor, out of sight in mere seconds. Plus, if your home is short on storage space, these will be a lifesaver. Offered in various colors, there’s even room for athletic equipment!

Available at Mimish Designs, $64.99.

Problem: Wallpaper is totally in right now, but you don’t want to commit.

Solution: The removable wallpaper from Chasing Paper makes it easy for you to add a splash of something special without having to commit to the real stuff. There are all sorts of different prints to choose from, and we are totally crushing on the latest: Head in the Clouds. It’s easy to install too—the signature peel-and-stick fabric is printed-to-order in 2 x 4 ft. panels. 

Available at Chasing Paper, $40.

Problem: You need extra places for kids to sit, but you don’t have the storage space for tiny chairs.

Solution: These incredibly sleek stools from REN+RO look like a book, but when unfolded, become a sturdy place for kids to sit. The honeycomb structure of the recycled cardboard can handle up to 200 lbs of weight,  and when unfolded the dimensions are 12.5 X 11, which is perfect for kids. You can choose from all sorts of fun combos like Water + Melon, Pine + Apple, Ice Cream + Cone and Mexican + Blanket, and you get one felt top for every piece you pick. And, the best part? Each one weighs just over three lbs Basically, the art of paper folding just got a lot more interesting.

Available at REN + RO, $65.

Problem: Your kid needs a night light, but you don’t like traditional styles.

Solution: No doubt, a neon tabletop light is way more decor-savvy than a standard plug-in illuminating light. We especially like the new ones from Olive and Gal, because not only are they less than $100, but they’re designed with kids in mind. Made with a lightweight glass structure, they easily plug into a standard outlet.

Available at Oliver and Gal, $99.

Problem: You want to display your kids’ evolving art skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Solution: How about frames that make it easy for you to swap out art as the kids bring it home? Wexel frames are a sleek design made with clear acrylic and magnets, you just lift the top off and change out what’s being displayed. You can opt to buy a single wall unit, or splurge on a whole set that can be cleverly arranged for a real statement.

Available at Wexel, $49.99 & up.

Problem: You need a play table, but you’re worried she’ll outgrow it soon

Solution: Find a table, like this Grow with Me Table Delta Children, that has multiple heights so you can adjust as your child grows. Offered in three different finishes, it’s a perfect way to ensure your kids’ furniture gets good use.

Available at Delta Children, $99.

 

Problem: You still need to use blackout curtains, but hate the way they look.

Solution: Plenty of decor companies feel your pain, have started designing blackout curtain that doesn’t look like heavy duty plastic. This shade-version from Best Home Fashion has star cutouts for a stylishly whimsical look. You’ll still get the filtered light and privacy your kiddo needs for that daily power naps.

Available at Best Home Fashion, $39.99.

Problem: Your kids need somewhere to draw.

Solution: Available in 26 colors and two shapes (rectangles and circles), you’ll actually enjoy watching your tiny artist scribble all over the walls thanks to these whiteboard and chalkboard decals. Arrange the stick-on images in different patterns, orientations, and color combinations to bring a fun pop of color and a ready-made canvas for creativity in your child’s play space or bedroom! Check out the Chalk by Bilk website for layout inspiration.

Available at Chalk by Blik $12.

—Gabby Cullen with Katie Brown

 

RELATED STORIES: 

Incredibly Easy Design Hacks for Every Room

Target’s New Made By Design Line Will Be Mostly Under $30

Pottery Barn’s Harry Potter Home Decor Collections Are Pure Magic

Like yoga pants and Ugg boots, mom buns can sometimes get a bad rap, but when you’re chasing young kids, the last thing you want is a hairdo that gets in your way. Just remember—even if you go with something practical, that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. We’ve rounded up some easy hairstyles that make the mom bun look totally stylish.

Messy Bun

Tamara Bellis via Unsplash

You can't go wrong with a basic messy bun to give you the clean, practical look of an updo without being too formal. Pull your hair into a loose ponytail, either high or low will work. Twist the hair, and wrap it around the base of the ponytail, continuing to wrap below the bun. Secure your hair with an elastic tie and bobby pins. You can pull out a few strands from the bun or around your face to make it a little messier.

Half Bun

David Solce via Unsplash

For a variation on the messy bun, try a half-up style. Gather just half your hair at the top and then follow the same steps to making a messy bun, leaving the rest of your locks flowing free.

Top Knot Bun

Lexie Barnhorn via Unsplash

A top knot bun is an easy, protective style for natural hair. With hair stretched, smooth it up into a ponytail and then form into a bun, securing in place with a second hair tie or pins.

Low Side Bun

Sonya Benham via Flickr

This is an easy hairstyle that’s meant to look a little messy, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time perfecting those wayward strands if you have hair that’s hard to tame. Create a side part, and gather all your hair to the side in a low ponytail. Wrap your hair tie around and twist it while twisting your hair at the same time, and loop the band around one more time to create a bun. Use bobby pins to tuck in loose ends and give the bun more shape.

Octopus Bun

Yanapi Senaud via Unsplash

A variation on the messy bun is the octopus—the latest trend in bun hairstyles that also happens to be one of the easiest. Simply sweep your hair up into a high ponytail, then wrap the length of your hair around the base of your ponytail. When there’s just a small amount of hair left, tuck the ends under the band, leaving them sticking out.

Tousled Chignon

Tanesha Awasthi

Tame your curly tresses with a sleek, but simple chignon. As Girl With Curves' Tanesha Awasthi describes, simply gather your hair to the side like you're making a side ponytail then pull it halfway through an elastic hair tie and twist the tie back over to form a messy bun. Check out the full tutorial here.

Two Minute Braided Bun

Abby Smith/Twist Me Pretty via YouTube

Practically effortless, this braided bun from hair guru Abby Smith at Twist Me Pretty is going to be your new fave style. A low ponytail and a simple braid is the basis for this chic look. Abby isn't kidding when she says it only takes two minutes to pull off this 'do! Head to her YouTube channel to see the quick tutorial.

Panda Buns

Brooke Cagle via Unsplash

Double up on buns with this playful updo. Split your hair into two parts and put each side up into a high, messy bun.

Half-Up Panda

Jakob Owens via Unsplash

If your hair is too short for high buns, you can still get a similar look with a half-up version. Gather half your hair at the top, split into two sides and form buns.

High Bun for Curly Hair

Alex Holyoake via Unsplash

Tame your curls without losing them entirely with this easy updo that keeps a few strands loose to frame your face.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Remy Loz via Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES:

Goodbye, Mom Bun: No-Fail Mom Hairstyles You Can Totally Master

This Easy “Mom Hairstyle” Is Taking Over Pinterest

This Hairstyle Is Making a Comeback and It’s Better Than Ever!

Our Favorite Back-to-School Haircuts & Hairstyles

 

Did you grow up dreaming of sunny days chasing the clouds away? Then there’s a pretty good chance you were a straight-A student. A new study shows Sesame Street helps kids do better in school.

New research published in the American Economic Journal found that kids who had access to Sesame Street before the age of seven had improved academic performance. The impact was most significant in elementary school, especially among Black children and boys who grew up in poor counties. However, it had no real effect on college attendance, graduation rates or long-term career prospects.

It’s important to note that the findings were based on kids access to the show, not specifically that they watched it. The information came from census data on kids from 1980, 1990 and 2000. Access was determined by the strength of television signals in individual counties across the country.

“You can think about this as kids potentially having access as opposed to watching the show,” study author Melissa Kearney told the American Economic Association. “We don’t know who actually watched the show. We know that you probably could get it in your house or you probably couldn’t. And we also know that at the time, most of the kids who probably could get it were probably watching it.”

The researchers then assessed the kids’ academic and career success based on several factors, including what proportion of kids were enrolled in the appropriate grade for their age, drop out and graduation rates, college attendance and their employment, wage and poverty status.

“Our mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder knows no geographic boundaries,” Jeffrey D. Dunn, Sesame Workshop’s chief executive officer, said in a press release celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary. “We’re everywhere families are and we never stop innovating and growing. That’s what keeps us timeless.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: photo: Sesame Street via YouTube

 

RELATED STORIES

TOMS Drops a New “Sesame Street” Collection & These Kicks Are Too Cute to Boot

“Sesame Street” Just Got a Huge Makeover & You Need to See the Photo Shoot

“Sesame Street” Turns 50 This Year & Has Big Plans for Its Littlest Fans

Designing your baby’s nursery can feel both exhilarating and daunting at the same time. While it’s easy to get caught up in picking just the right colors and Pinterest-worthy aesthetics, it’s equally important to create a space that’s functional and can grow with your baby. We’ve come up with nine smart strategies to help you design a room for you and your little one that is fun, functional and even budget-friendly.

Arrange Furniture for Function

Houzz

When designing a nursery, think about what your baby and you will be doing most in the room. Hopefully sleep tops your list! Remember that light and temperature affect sleep, so one of the basics of baby nursery layout is keeping the crib away from windows and heat and air conditioning sources.

Also, you'll be spending plenty of time in the nursery during the first few months, so be sure your glider or rocking chair is in the most convenient spot. For economy of motion, you’ll want your chair near the crib so you don’t have to go far with a crying baby wanting to be fed. Once you’re seated, though, you’re going to want some things within reach. Place your chair near a chest of drawers or place a storage basket or container near or under the chair that's stocked with spit-up cloths, pacifiers, rattles, etc.

Put Up Wall Decals or Removal Wallpaper

Chasing Paper

Wallpaper is totally in right now but you're not sure you want to commit—we get it! An easy and adorable fix is removable wallpaper or wall decals. See Chasing Paper's removable wallpaper in the image above, and check out Tinyme for wall decals. Not only do they add a fun touch to the nursery, they’re perfect for commitmentphobes who love to change up their spaces often.

Keep Shelves Low

JohnKline via Pixabay

Recognizing that your tiny baby will soon be able to crawl and access toys on their own is key in designing a nursery you won't need to re-arrange in six months. As your little one grows, you'll want to encourage them to explore. Unfortunately, tall shelves can look like a mountain that would be fun to climb. A safer alternative is incorporating low shelving and other low-to-the-floor storage containers so, as your baby becomes a toddler, they can easily reach their toys AND learn to put them away!

Put Everything You Need in Reach of the Changing Table

100 Layer Cake-Let

One thing new parents learn quick is that once your baby is on the changing table, squirming and naked, you're stuck! It's vital that everything you need to get the job done is in arm's reach of that table so you don't risk baby falling off.

Choose Transition Furniture

Wayfair

Choosing a crib that transitions to a toddler bed is a surefire way to make sure you'll get more bang for your buck. There are a lot of convertible crib options out there, so you have lots of styles to choose from. Once you find "the one," deck it out with adorable crib sheets that pop. Now there you have it—functional and fun!

Hang Art That Grows With Baby

Serena and Lily

Wall hangings and artwork can really bring your nursery together and give it the special touch that makes it unique. Artwork is one thing that can be swapped out easily, but choosing art that grows with your baby helps keep your budget in check. We love pieces like this pear artwork from Darling Clementine.

Opt For Durable Fabrics

Delta Children

While images of gorgeous all-white nurseries may catch your eye on Instagram, keeping that white glider clean may be more work and time than it's worth. Remember that babies are messy, and the last thing you want is to be stressing over whether the fabric on your new chair is ruined. There are plenty of fabrics that are built to withhold stains. The Clair Slim Nursery Glider Swivel Rocker Chair from Delta Children, above, comes in a durable navy microfiber fabric that is easy to clean.

Conserve Space with Dual-Use items

Wayfair

For such tiny creatures, babies come with an enormous amount of stuff! So no matter what size your baby's room is, conserving space is always a top priority. That's why dual-use items like a dresser/changing table or built-in storage is so helpful. South Shore's Cotton Candy Changing Table, above, features a removable changing table topper, so when your child is done with diapers, they can still use the dresser below.

Get Lighting Right

Amazon

Lighting in a nursery is often overlooked, but it is key to creating a functional room for you and your child. Avoid harsh lighting and control natural light so your baby can sleep better. Also, be sure to put night-light bulbs in your nursery lamp (we love this owl lamp from Lambs & Ivy) so you can check on a sleeping baby or change a diaper without waking them up.

—Aimee Della Bitta

RELATED STORIES:

8 Genius Ways to Organize Your Nursery on a Shoestring Budget

15 Ways to DIY Your Nursery on a Budget

Hot Baby Products That Are Total Game-Changers