So many things are available today for your nursery that it can make your head spin! With so much to choose from, where do you start?

Supplies:

• Small Notebook and Pen
• Camera or Camera Phone
• Ziploc bag (to store fabric swatches and paint samples in) — I refer to this as your "nursery in a bag".

These supplies will help you stay organized. After looking in several stores, it's hard to remember where you saw the crib in cherry that you liked or the cute bedding set that had just the right green color in it. As you shop and see things that catch your eye, write them down and take pictures if possible. This will be a tremendous help when you get back home to make your decisions.

On to the shopping. The most practical place to begin is with the furniture. If you already have a style and/or color in mind, you are ahead of the game. If not, don't fret. This article is intended to guide you through the whole process. Let's start with the crib, since it's really the most important piece of furniture in the nursery. When selecting a crib, there are two basic styles to choose from. The Convertible crib, which goes from crib to toddler to twin or double bed with a conversion kit and the Stationary crib, which looks like a traditional drop-side crib but the side is stationary. These cribs will convert to daybed/toddler beds only.

One type isn't better than the other. It's a matter of preference and your plans down the road regarding the use of the nursery furniture.

Most cribs come in at least 3 finishes and some are available in over 20 colors/finishes. If you are more concerned about color than style of crib, select this first and the concentrate on the cribs that come in that color. If style matters more, choose that and then select a finish. There is no right or wrong order for doing this. It all boils doen to preference.

Storage is a must in any nursery, but lack of space is often an issue. To resolve this, many furniture manufacturers are making dressers with separate changing stations that fit on the top and are easily removed when you are no longer in need of one. With this feature, you eliminate the need for a separate changing table, freeing up much needed floor space.

The next consideration is a glider rocker. These are wonderful when rocking your baby to sleep or nursing. Most gliders are customizable with a wide variety of fabrics, so you will be able to coordinate it with the other furnishings in the nursery. Where possible, seek out the gliders you like in a store so you can actually sit in them. They all sit a bit differently and some are more comfortable than others.

Now for the fun! Choosing bedding. This is the part that could actually make your head spin. You have the option of themed bedding ranging from ballerina bears and ladybugs to jungle and cammo. You could also go with a color theme rather than a character theme. This option is a little more versatile when accessorizing. Whatever you decide on, make sure it's something you like. While it's for baby, he/she won't really notice. But you will. You want your nursery to be comfortable and welcoming and the bedding is the crowning touch.