The Ultimate Nesting Guide: Preparing Your Home for Baby’s Arrival

There’s a gentle magic in the weeks before your baby arrives. The world seems to quieten and you find yourself straightening shelves, folding little clothes, and imagining the life about to begin. Nesting isn’t simply about organisation; it’s about creating a home that feels calm, nurturing, and ready to embrace a brand-new chapter. With so much to think about, it helps to walk room by room, turning what can seem like an intimidating task into small, achievable steps.

Nesting isn’t simply about organisation; it’s about creating a home that feels calm, nurturing, and ready to embrace a brand-new chapter.

To help you navigate this special time with clarity and calm, we've created a beautiful printable nesting checklist, yours to download at the end of this guide. Consider it your essential companion through these weeks of preparation, designed to bring order without overwhelm.

Here’s our complete guide to making your home baby-ready, room by room. From the nursery to the kitchen, here’s how to prepare for those precious early days with your new arrival.

The Nursery: A Haven for Rest and Wonder

Your nursery is the heart of baby’s space, a place where your little one will begin to dream, grow and make memories. Creating an environment with soft light and soothing textures brings comfort to both of you, gentle yet practical for those early days. 

What to focus on:

• Safe sleep space: A cot or crib with a firm mattress and fitted sheets, kept free from excess blankets or toys.

• Changing area: A sturdy table or dresser topped with a changing mat, nappies, wipes, and creams within easy reach.

• Storage: Drawers, shelves, or baskets to keep muslins, sleepsuits, and blankets neatly ordered and ready to hand.

• Lighting: A dimmable lamp or nightlight to create a peaceful glow during night-time feeds.

• Personal touches: A mobile above the cot, prints on the wall, or a keepsake journal placed nearby to capture the memories.
  
  

Tip: Stock a small basket of essentials (nappies, wipes, muslins) to move easily from room to room; your future self will thank you.

Your Bedroom: A Cosy Co-Sleep Sanctuary

Your bedroom will be where many of the earliest memories unfold. A peaceful, functional set-up here helps you navigate the new rhythm of newborn life, from night time wakings to naps at dawn.

What to prepare:

• Bedside crib or Moses basket to keep baby close, reassuring for both of you and making night-time feeds and settling easier.

• Comfortable feeding nook with cushions, nursing pillow, a blanket, and a water bottle within reach.

• A clear and uncluttered surface for bottles, muslins, spare baby grows, nappies, breast pads, or a nightlight, keeping things simple when you’re tired.

Tip: Keep soft, breathable pyjamas and extra bedding ready for yourself, too. Caring for you is just as important as caring for your little one.

The Living Room: A Family Comfort Zone

The living room is where life continues, from family visits and baby snuggles, to those all-important first smiles. Shaping this space with comfort and practicality will make it easier to relax and enjoy these shared moments.

How to prepare:

• A cosy feeding seat with back support and a small table for drinks or books.

• Storage baskets to gather toys, blankets, and feeding supplies while keeping the room welcoming.

• Space for play: A soft rug or play mat where tummy time and early exploration can unfold.

• Keepsakes at hand: A journal or photo album nearby so you can note little milestones as they happen.
  

The Kitchen: Nourishment and Ease

Your kitchen becomes a quiet support system in the early weeks, keeping you nourished and organised when your attention is elsewhere. Preparing it thoughtfully now will save energy later.

Stock and prepare:

• Batch-cooked meals ready for the freezer; think soups, casseroles, and pasta sauces.
  

• Snack station filled with quick, one-handed options: nuts, granola bars, fruit, and other grab-and-go choices for feeding breaks.
• Bottle prep space (if needed) kept tidy with steriliser, bottles and brushes in one area. Have the formula close to hand to avoid fumbling through cupboards at 3am.
  

• Future readiness: While solids come later, you might want a drawer with bibs, muslins, and small bowls for when weaning begins.

Tip: Treat yourself to a special mug; a cup of tea or coffee each morning can make all the difference in those early weeks.

The Bathroom: Gentle Care Essentials

Bath time soon becomes one of the most soothing daily rituals, as calming for you as it is for your baby. Setting up a calm and practical bathroom now will make those first splashes easier.

What to add:

• Baby bath or support seat for safe, supported bathing.
• Soft towels and flannels: ideally hooded towels for extra cosiness.
  
• A basket for baby toiletries: baby shampoo, gentle wash, lotion and bath toys.
  
• Changing supplies nearby if you’d like the bathroom as a second nappy station.
  

The Hallway: Smooth Transitions

Stepping out with your newborn is an exciting milestone, but can feel daunting. With thoughtful preparation, leaving the house becomes less overwhelming and more like a gentle adventure.

Prepare with:

• Pram or stroller ready to go with rain cover, footmuff, and nappy bag packed.
  

• Hooks or baskets for coats, blankets, and carriers.
  

• Essentials near the door: muslins, hand sanitiser, and a set of keys in a dedicated spot.

Tip: Keep your changing bag pre-packed and restock it as soon as you return home. It saves precious minutes when you’re next heading out.

Utility & Laundry: Keeping Up with the Little Things

Newborns bring joy - and a surprising amount of laundry. A few small systems will help keep the washing from feeling endless.

Set up:

• Separate hamper for baby clothes, muslins, and bedding to make washing simpler.

• Gentle detergent designed for delicate baby skin.

• Drying options: whether a rack for tiny socks or a space to hang muslins in the sun.

• Organised supplies: stain remover, mesh laundry bags, and a basket ready to transport folded clothes.

Tip: Fold and put away small loads daily if you can, it’s easier than facing mountains of washing all at once.

Final Touches: The Home Atmosphere

Beyond the practical, atmosphere is what transforms a house into a welcoming nest. These final touches create a home that feels peaceful and ready for new memories.

• Declutter: Clear away items that no longer serve you, creating room to breathe.
  

• Soften the space: Candles, diffusers, or fresh flowers bring calm and a sense of ritual.
  

• Create memory spaces: A baby journal, keepsake box, or photo wall where little moments can be cherished.
  

• Safety checks: Cover sockets, baby-proof sharp corners, secure any furniture that might tip over and ensure smoke alarms are working for peace of mind.
  

A Nest Made with Love

Preparing your home isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating spaces where you and your baby feel safe, nurtured, and at ease. With thoughtful touches in each room, you’ve prepared not just for the practicalities of parenthood, but for the moments you’ll cherish forever.

Remember: your baby doesn't need a perfect home, only a loving one. By creating a home that feels calm and ready, you're giving yourself the gift of presence and space to focus on what matters most, bonding with your little one.

Your Printable Nesting Checklist

To support you through these preparations, we've created a complete printable checklist that brings together everything in this guide. Download your copy and keep it somewhere visible; on the fridge, tucked into your planner, or beside your favourite armchair. Use it to shape your home with love, one thoughtful detail at a time.

Click here to download our Ultimate Nesting Checklist.