After 3 children, 2 miscarriages and a delicate 6th pregnancy at 43 years of age, I was more apprehensive than ever, of the exhaustion, anxiety and postpartum depression that come with the beautiful newborn phase of motherhood. Cultivating my space, in ways to feel good, has always come naturally to me so I dove into making our home the ultimate sanctuary for a postpartum mother, me. I’m going to share 5 design tips you can apply to help ease postpartum depression that help me immensely in navigating the waves of the emotions that come with newborn life.
These simple decor techniques and design strategies are going to empower you to create feel-good spaces that support your postpartum body, mind and soul.
“Your health and wellness are crucial to the health and wellness of your baby. You are important and worthy of a home that nurtures both you and your baby at any age, stage or financial phase!”
1. Define Zones to Ease Postpartum Depression
Feeding Stations
You need supportive, comfortable places to feed your baby! Think nursing pillows, regular pillows (of varying sizes and firmness) and a way to have your feet up (poufs, ottomans, recliners). Create multiple spots so that you can give your body and mind a refresh by switching it up through the day.
You will be amazed how a change of scenery and seat will revive both your back and your spirits especially in the early days!
Social Space vs Mama & Baby Exclusive Space
I like to have a spot that I can be social with my family or guests and then a spot where I can be alone and quiet with baby while everyone else wants to watch movies or play! You are going to be extra stimulated so take breaks to quiet your mind when you can.
My social energy is super low during those first few months. Even if people visit, I may only hang out for a little bit before retreating to my room with baby. Visitors can be so uplifting but there can be too much of a good thing. You have to conserve your energy!
Check out our baby girl nursery with all the details in this post.
Night Space
We have had all our babies in our room with us at least for the first 6 months. For baby 4, we decided that it was best for Chris to get the most sleep possible (just 1 sleep deprived parent necessary) while I cared for baby at night in the first few months. So, he slept in a guest room and I had our bedroom with baby. This has been incredible because I don’t have to rush out of the room when baby wakes to eat. In those first weeks, I could turn on the TV in there and nurse, snack or use the restroom without bothering anyone.
My husband can wake up fresh and early to get the other kids ready for school! I can sleep in with baby if I didn’t get enough/quality night sleep.
2. Create Ambiance to Ease Postpartum Depression
A positive atmosphere is crucial to postpartum design. Think of these elements for each of your zones.
Sunlight
You are going to be spending more time than usual at home in these first few months. Find the sunniest part of your home to set up a nursing zone. Light = Happiness.
Position your seating to be closer to and face windows. See if you can set up an area on a patio, balcony or in the yard.
I had the pergola on the back patio painted white to brighten up our family room. We also swapped the broken, gray, transparent sheeting on it for clear and OMG there was so much more light!
Lamps
I have multiple lamps in each room. The glow they provide can warm your spirit. Find dimmable lamps or use low wattage to keep a calm feeling.
Battery Powered Flicker Candles
Look forward to the evening hours with remote candles. They set an inviting ambiance and make that transition into night more pleasant. There are some nights, especially early on where I dread the night. I find that having positive rituals eases my nerves for the night shift.
Diffusers
Set a cheerful (lemon myrtle & vanilla), relaxing (peach and calming) or sleepy (lavender) mood with these. You can also have them glowing at night for added cozy vibes. The easiest way to use them is to get a starter bundle here.
Plants
Real plants will purify your air and give you a taste of nature for your time at home. I love to mix in faux flowers or plants for low maintenance beauty! Add a bouquet of hydrangeas to your grocery order periodically!
You can see what plants I love and get my free plant guide here!
Color & Texture
I had to add pops of color and pattern to elevate my postpartum spaces. I opted for subtle pinks or a little pop of magenta in a throw blanket or vintage kantha quilt. I found a gorges Suzani Boppy cover and seventies linen play mat in red that absolutely cheer me!
Layer in soft rugs, throw blankets and pillows for cozy. Follow me on my free LTK page for the latest decor items- home and baby!
Keep Clutter Clear
Keep a basket in each room for quick tidying. This is especially helpful for when you have younger children with books and toys. Having a space that is clean at least for parts of the day is a mood lifter!
3. Display Cheerful Decor you Adore to Ease Postpartum Depression
Family Magic Photos
These are photos that evoke your strongest identifying emotions and memories. For example, I have a photo of me kissing my smiling husband in front of the Pike’s Market Entrance. I’m holding flowers for my Mom and he’s holding a Patagonia bag. We had just enjoyed a drink at The Athenian and shopped as the rain cleared. We lived in Seattle for our first year of marriage and that market is one of our happy places.
Find a cute frame and have them visible from your nursing zones. You can find frames and cute decor on my Amazon store here.
Cards
Our third baby was born in 2020 and I put up the cards people sent all along a shelf in the kitchen. Every time I walked by them, it made me feel loved.
Baby 4 was our first winter baby, born in January. I decided to leave up all the Christmas Cards I had hung in the family room. Each was fastened to a ribbon by a mini wooden clothespin. I even left up the candy cane garland that ran over it, for extra cheer.
I also kept the Christmas mantle decorations up through March to give a little extra festive feeling to the living room.You can see our Christmas home decor here.
Baby Cart
I am a huge fan of this baby cart trend that keeps going! Having one place for your baby things makes it easy to move from one zone to another while keeping organized.
I like to add things like a little Polaroid, a woven basket and a planner (that I use like a baby book journal) to give life to the cart!
A short daily read like The Daily Stoic is so restorative for me!
Find more in my Amazon baby store here.
Art
Artwork is made to make you feel a certain way. Get some pieces that uplift you! My favorite place for prints is this site. I also find great things online here.
Whimsical Accents
A cute baby toy in the colors of your home decor can add cheer as well as complement good design! Some of my favorite stuffed dolls are hand made and for a good cause. Another favorite dolly here.
4. The Vignette Vacation to Ease Postpartum Depression
A vignette in the design world is a snapshot area where items are styled in a grouping. It’s even referred to as “a moment,” when the drama is just right.
Create a vignette that faces you while feeding baby. It could be a table with a book and photo or a vintage chair with a plant on it. Find decor book inspiration here.
Find a piece of art you are absolutely obsessed with for the space above it. Floating shelves or tall dressers are great for this because they naturally repell clutter.
Keep this vignette clear of clutter. It is a visual vacation for your mind as you rest and feed the baby.
When there are blankets and diapers all over the place, this vignette will be an escape to serenity.
5. Set it and Forget it (for 3 Months) to Ease Postpartum Depression
Please learn from my mistakes and DO NOT, I repeat (to my self), DO NOT schedule home renovation contractors for the first three months of newborn life!
Contractors often arrive at random times, cancel or reschedule last minute. You don’t want to do anything that disrupts any potential sleep or adds extra stress or planning around someone else’s schedule.
Plan to finish up any house renovations at least a month before baby comes because projects often run over the planned time.
Keep the house free of extra dust, paint, need for cleaning for that three months at the least.
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If you’re in the postpartum phase right now, it’s never too late to apply these 5 Design Tips to Ease Postpartum Depression! Start SMALL. Get a plant. Make 1 small corner a goal for nesting. Keep in mind that this is baby 4 for me, I’m in my forties and I’ve lived in this home for over 4 years. Keep yourself from comparing to homes on social media. Make a space for your likes and budget. Don’t add financial stress to your list of worries to create your spaces.
Surround yourself with things that evoke how you want to feel ie. loved, successful, creative, spoiled etc. Have fun! Set the scene and enjoy baby. It goes by so fast.
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For some more information on Postpartum Depression. Talk to you doctor for resources specific to your needs.
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