Right now my husband and I are expecting our first child. As soon-to-be parents we’re inundated with information about what to expect, what to do (or more specifically what not to do), and what to buy. And this is all before our little one arrives!

One of the biggest projects expectant parents tackle is getting the nursery ready. Some people take a minimalist approach to baby’s first room…

…while others really go all out in creating a fantasy room fit for a little prince or princess.

We’re waiting to find out if we’re having a boy or a girl – so we have the added challenge of making sure the nursery is “gender neutral.” Don’t mistake gender neutral for boring.  You can use the rainbow of colors available to paint your walls, or maybe use a more subtle all-over hue and then make it pop with stripes, an accent wall or mural!

Green is actually the most popular color for nurseries. It’s a great canvas for any theme you choose – from animals to characters to simple shapes.

We chose to stick with the soft yellow that was already in the room we’re using as the nursery – it was once our office and exercise space.

It’s similar to Benjamin Moore Mellow Yellow and is a great backdrop for almost any accent we decided on. The room will soon be filled with black furniture, colorful artwork and black and white accents. I’ll share the finished product in a future post.

When you’re designing a space for a little boy or girl, it’s great to have the room be able to grow with them. One way to do that is to look at what you put on the walls. Murals and wall decals are a great way to add personality without a long-term commitment.

You can order WallPops and RoomMates at Hirshfield’s. The best part? They can be changed out as your child grows and his or her interests form.

One tip to remember if you’re putting together a nursery without knowing your baby’s gender: leave a space or two open to personalize the room when your little one arrives. This can be as simple as his or her name in letters or monogram above the crib.