Making baby's bedroom

One of the great joys of motherhood isn't just the impending baby, but the nursery you get to create!

Here are just a few of the many different ways to turn a regular room into a fun, creative and unique environment for your new bundle of joy. You can do these projects on your own or recruit a friend or two.

Before we get started, let's make sure that safety is our first priority. If you are already pregnant, you'll need to think through the projects. Protect yourself — no heavy lifting and no exposure to toxic chemicals. Remember, what you can't see can hurt you.

Second, location, location, location. One of the most important things to consider is the location of the nursery. Calm surroundings are critical to a newborn's development. So avoid putting the nursery in a chaotic environment like a room that faces a busy street or next to a noisy family room.

For those late-night feedings, consider setting up the baby's room as close as possible to your own room.

Next, think color. You'll be happy to know that the old "blue for boys" and "pink for girls" is no longer a steadfast rule in nurseries. With all the color choices at any home-improvement store these days, it's time to get creative! Many paint manufacturers even have specific color palettes for nurseries, which can take the guess work out of the process. Don't feel trapped into having to paint your walls a solid color. Experiment with color, pattern or even texture.

The key to creating a peaceful nursery is to keep this word in mind: soothing. What colors calm your spirit? The environment you create is as much for you as your child. After all, you'll be spending many sleepless nights there, so if it's a room you love, it'll make those times that much easier.

Safety tip: If your home was built prior to 1978 and the interior hasn't been painted since, the walls might be covered in a lead-based paint. If so, you'll need to take great caution when preparing the walls. If you're pregnant, this is definitely not a project for you. If you're unsure how old the current paint is, contact your local health department. Most run lead-poisoning prevention programs and can refer you to a company in your area that can properly test for lead.

Create your own masterpiece

We've all seen those gorgeous murals on children's bedrooms that cost several thousand dollars. For those of us who are both cost-conscious and artistically inept, there is hope.

You can paint a beautiful mural on the walls of your baby's room simply by using an overhead projector and a transparency of your favorite image (most copy centers can make these for you for less than $5).

Project the image onto the wall, sketch it out with pencil and fill it in with the appropriate colors. Voilą!

Jane tip: If a mural seems too overwhelming, try painting a few ladybugs, teddy bears, fairies or other cutesy characters on the walls wherever you see fit. If you make a mistake, it's easy to cover with more paint!

Install a ceiling fan

A ceiling fan is both cooling and eye-catching. Be Jane members have told us over and over that having a ceiling fan in their nursery helps lull a cranky baby back to sleep. It will not only help you keep your cool, but some babies see it as a large mobile and try to focus on it, which often tires them out.

Set the mood

Installing a dimmer switch on the main light source in the nursery will create a soothing atmosphere and prevent you from being jolted awake during night feedings.

Let there be light

Install window coverings! You'll want something that will dampen the light enough to allow you to put your baby down for a nap in the middle of the day or before the sun sets. You'll also want to keep the room dark in the morning. This will help teach your baby not to wake up at the crack of dawn.

Beyond just blocking out the light, blinds and curtains have come a long way. Be sure to look at the insulating properties of the styles and types you choose as well as the ability to allow light to filter in while maintaining privacy.

The price difference varies greatly depending on the options you choose, but remember that most are easy to install, and your investment will go a long way toward your and your baby's well-being.

Store it

New moms often forget about the many things they need to buy just to take care of their babies. So beyond the typical baby-supply chests that you'll get at your baby shower, make sure the nursery has proper shelving or cabinet space for everything from your breast pump to children's books.

Your baby may be too young to roll over and crawl, let alone strew toys all over the house, but you should consider a toy chest to keep the clutter to a minimum.

Rock your walls

A rocking chair is just what most moms need to put a restless child to sleep. Unfortunately, with one good rock, you could end up with a dent in your wall.

So before the baby comes, why not put up chair rail molding to protect your walls from a stray rocking chair?

There are great lines of prefinished molding products available that you can install quickly, easily and without having to paint.

Your walls will appreciate it — and so will you.

The sky's the limit

Between the sleepless nights and long days, both you and your baby will need something soothing to look at.

Why not paint a blue sky with clouds? Or paste a few glow-in-the-dark stars? It will calm you both and help keep you from feeling claustrophobic.

Whatever you decide to do in the nursery, have fun as you go. Involve friends and family in the process as much as you can.

After all, this is typically one of the most exciting times in a new mommy's life, so enjoy it!

Be Jane is a monthly home-improvement feature in digs. It's adapted from www.BeJane.com, the online community created by Heidi Baker and Eden Jarrin.