• Add color to a small nursery with a hanging mobile.baby plymobile in crib image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Often the nursery is one of the smaller rooms in the home, which poses the problem of how to decorate the space. Don't worry, small nursery rooms can be filled with warmth, functionality and color to create big style and a custom design. When decorating the nursery, don't underestimate unused spaces like corners or a small ledge for storing artwork and knickknacks. Under the crib can also be prime real estate for storing last season's clothes and other baby accessories.
  
  

Mirrors

• Mirrors reflect light around a small nursery space and create the illusion of a spacious room. When designing the nursery, have fun choosing whimsical mirrors in fun patterns and shapes. A set of butterfly mirrors floating over a crib creates a focal point to the room and adds a bit of sparkle. Place mirrors opposite of a window to reflect light and create the sense of a larger room. A collection of mirrors makes an ideal alternative to artwork that can crate a heavy look to the room. Larger mirrors in nurseries flood the room with light and are striking over a dresser to frame a larger piece of furniture.
  
  

Paint

• The urge in small spaces is to paint the walls all white or a light, neutral shade like cream or beige. But a bland color palette can leave the nursery feeling cold, not the feeling you want in a nursery. Painting the walls a color like pale green or aqua adds muted, warmth feel to the space. Soothing colors also help to accent bedding and pillows so as to tie the space together for a cohesive design. A soft buttercream yellow is an ideal alternative to white because it visually enlarges the space, but also creates a peaceful environment for the baby. Alternatively, paint one wall in the nursery a shade darker than the other walls. Hand-painted accent walls are also striking in the small space to create makeshift artwork.
  
  

Furniture

• Not only is the placement of the furniture important but so is the size. Smaller pieces crammed into the nursery can make the room feel smaller and claustrophobic. Rather than filling the space with small pieces, add only a few large, multi-purpose furniture pieces. For example, a rocker set with a matching upholstered ottoman works well in the corner of the room and doubles as storage for toys and clothes. Try upholstering pieces like a rocker or window treatments in a fabric that coordinates with the wall color. Consider introducing a tall piece of furniture like an armoire or dresser to draw your eye into and up the space.