Keep these tips in mind when decorating your nursery for a gender-neutral space as special as your new delivery.

Layer up.

In a nursery, it's all about layers and texture. For example, in our space, though we painted the wall white, we layered on a great map (Premiär map, Ikea) to create instant drama when you enter the room. A map is the perfect piece of art for a gender-neutral nursery, thanks to its watery blues and soft, grassy greens!

Change things up.

When it comes to the change table, think outside the box. As a general rule, nursery-specific furniture is very expensive, especially for custom pieces. Save money by repurposing a sideboard or dresser as a change table. We converted a raw-wood dining console (Norden occasional table, Ikea) for our space and painted it in a coordinating colour drawn from the art with no-VOC paint to avoid any unwanted fumes or chemicals. Also on console: Manny & Simon reclaimed-wood elephant and Adler Giraffe sconce by Jonathan Adler, all Ella + Elliot; clothing and diapers, Walmart; changing table pad, Pottery Barn.

Storage, storage, storage.

Storage is a big priority in a child's room. For such small people, babies sure come with a lot of stuff (diapers, wipes, blankets, toys, etc.)! The key is to conceal clutter and minimize the amount of surface area taken up by key items. These decorative bins (Ella + Elliot) are great, not only because of their fun print, but also because they are easy to wipe down; the lining can stand up to any spit-up hurled its way!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch changes!

Think about furniture that will grow with your child. Next to clothes, cribs and beds are the worst kiddie-culprits. Choose an adjustable crib (Gulliver crib, Ikea) that can be lowered as your child grows and that can ultimately be transformed into a toddler bed. Also on crib: striped blanket, Olio Uptn bumper, pillows and sheets, Ella + Elliot.

Create a world of whimsy.

Choose pieces that make you smile; after all, you will be spending a lot of time in this space for the next little while! For example, instead of a traditional glider, we opted for this small rocker (Ryder rocking chair, Prism pillow and Favorite throw, all West Elm). Its clean lines make it small enough for the space and also mean your youngster may want to keep in their room in the future. Other fun finds: 3 Sprouts hooded towel, P'Kolino Con Leche clothes tree, Knoll Kids Maya Lin stone (as table), all Ella + Elliot; Agen children's armchairs, Ikea.