Celebrate your pregnancy by decorating your special spaces with colours and beautiful objects that inspire positive vibes about your pregnancy.

In preparation for the arrival of a new child, pregnant women usually only think about childproofing the home and designing a brand new nursery. This is important, of course, but what about you and your space? Nine months make for a fairly long time and you deserve personal spaces of your own that make you feel good about your pregnancy throughout these few months. We have some ideas for you to consider:

Bedroom Sanctuary

Your bedroom is a sanctuary and place of rest and rejuvenation. This is the time to invest in high quality mattresses and bedding products that would give you a good night’s sleep. When you are pregnant there may be bouts of sleepless nights due to aches, pains or some other conditions. A mattress may help to alleviate the symptoms. A firmer mattress might give you the additional support you need – particularly across the middle, as it’s your hips and lower spine that need particular support in general, and especially when pregnant. If you can’t afford a new mattress, consider buying a mattress topper, which will provide you with an additional layer of comfort. A memory foam topper may be ideal because the foam will mould to your body no matter how often you change position during the night.

Home Spa

Turn your bathroom into your home spa. This doesn’t mean you have to knock down walls or completely renovate it. Little details like soaps and creams that you like as well as bathing accessories work wonders. First tidy away clutter in the bathroom. Arrange for a few hours just for yourself – switch off the telephone and tell your family you will not be available for the next couple of hours. Dim the lights in the bathroom and set up some scented candles. Put on relaxing or meditation music to create a serene ambience. Prepare fluffy bath towels and get your spa products ready. Remember to check that the beauty products you use are safe for pregnant moms.

Me Time Corners

Select a special space at home and do it up with a charming décor theme. It can be a corner by the dining room looking out to the garden or a small area next to your bed. You can place your favourite armchair or lounge there and set a lamp and bookcase next to it. Furnish it with wallcovering or curtains that promote ultimate cosiness. Here’s where you can just put your feet up after a tiring day and read a good book. It’s also a good idea to have a daybed here for those afternoons that you need to nap. Make sure the space is well-ventilated with fresh air.

Keeping the Home Safe for You

Along with babyproofing your home, you need to make sure that your home is also safe for you during pregnancy. Some of the things to consider include ensuring that floor surfaces are not slippery to reduce risks of falling. Clear clutter away immediately; don’t leave objects lying around on the floor. Store frequently used items within easy reach, use rubber mats in the tub, repair loose carpeting and floorboards, remove or secure area rugs, keep cords and wires out of walkways, and make sure your home is well lit.

The Nursery

Of course we won’t forget the nursery. This is after all the most important space for you and your baby. You can start decorating and furnishing the nursery as early as the first trimester – which gives you ample time to plan and shop for the things you need. Make sure the basics are all there – the cot and other furniture, the flooring, the lighting and soft furnishing. Choose a pleasant colour for the room – something that makes you feel relaxed and calm when you are there. In fact, if you decide to get the nursery ready early on, you can use this room as your special me-time space for the time being.

Painting Your Spaces

Painting your rooms is one of the most effective ways to beautify your home. If you are going to paint, remember to get paint products that are safe for pregnancy. The recommendation is to avoid exposure to oil-based paints, leads and mercury. You should minimize exposure to latex paints that contain ethylene glycol ethers and biocides. It’s best to get someone to do the painting for you, and if possible, move out of your house when painting is being done. Nevertheless if these are not good options, make sure you follow these guidelines to decrease the likelihood of paint exposure:

• Protect your skin by wearing protective clothing that includes long pants, long-sleeved shirts and gloves
• Be certain that the room and house are well ventilated; open the windows and turn on fans
• Limit the time you spend in the spaces being painted
• Keep your food and drinks away from the area so solvents and chemicals will not accidentally be consumed