If you’ve got a baby at home or one on the way, it’s likely that you’ve given some thought to how you want to decorate his or her room, and it’s almost certain that the words blue, pink and neutral have passed your lips more than once. But as long as your baby has everything it needs in terms of milk, toys and a comfy bed, they won’t mind what colour their room is, which puts you firmly in charge of the decor!

You might not know it, but there are some definitely dos and donts when it comes to decorating a baby’s or toddler’s room and the most obvious is to not theme the room. Why? Because theming can become quite expensive if the theme stretches to bed linen, curtains and other soft furnishings, and as your baby grows they’ll eventually want something different. Another don’t is to let younger children make the final decision when it comes to decorating their rooms as they’re known for changing their minds at the drop of a hat. What you can do instead is listen to what they want and guide them to a decision that suits you both.

Definite dos include building as much storage into the room as possible to keep all those toys and clutter at bay, choosing furniture that can grow with your child, and making sure the room not only offers somewhere to play but that it also provides a comfy, safe and warm place to sleep.

Which brings us to our last point – safety must come first so window locks and electrical socket covers are essential, as is fixing heavy furniture to the walls and floor, and removing any trip hazards and other dangers. Your child will thank you for it!