Are you an expecting parent looking for new ideas to decorate and prepare your little one's special domain? When it comes to preparing the nursery for the first time or if you're redecorating your little one's room, nothing can express your child's personality better than their room. From newborns to teenagers, the bedroom is a reflection of their personal likes, habits, preferences and creativity. Baby bedding tends to be the foundation of the room's design. From the type of crib, bed or bassinet there are many options to choose from.

When I'm helping clients shop for their nursery, I look first at the types of fabrics, then I move to brand, price and only then, do I think about theme. Often times, parents start first with a theme they see and they build everything else around that. My experience has led me to avoid this method, for several reasons. First, this usually ends up being more expensive because you lock yourself into one line and limit your options and creativity. Themes are seasonal, trendy and often times short lived. Once the initial attraction where's off, you're left looking at the same stuff day in and day out or replacing the entire room. This can be costly both in terms of time and money.

By beginning the search with the types of fabrics, you can first be assured that quality, comfort and style set the tone of the room, not characters or cartoons. There are a number of quality fabrics I recommend including pima cottons, washed linen and silky chenille, to name a few. These fine fabrics are soft, washable and practical, all of which are imperative. Many times you can find unique designs that are interchangeable so that when it comes to updating or replacing certain items, you can do so easily either creating a whole new look or reviving the current one. You can keep the bedding basic or go all out and adorn the crib with everything from coordinated bedding, fitted sheets, dust ruffles, bumpers, quilts, pillows and even matching window treatments.

For colors, I always recommend the designating one color as the dominant color not by quantity but in terms of placement and positioning. Sticking to a color that is bright yet neutral, like a sage green, sky blue or dusty rose. These shades are classic, never really going out of style and work well with many other colors. Keeping some neutral shades of olive, beige, tan and white are always good to utilize with throws or even the mats on picture frames. This helps when you move on to furniture and other bigger items. By keeping things like the crib, dresser and changing table in a neutral tone, you can easily replace less costly items when it comes time for redecorating.

It is very easy to get overwhelmed and over budget when it comes to shopping for baby for the first time. But if you stay focused, make a prioritized list and remember to enjoy the process making your babies home can be fun and memorable. Special items like progressive picture frames and lettering for baby's name can make even the most simple of decorated rooms come to life.