Beyond blue and pink

We’re expecting our first child in January and we’ve decided to keep the baby’s sex a surprise which, of course, makes decorating the nursery more difficult. What would you suggest for the colour scheme? I love neutrals but I’m not sure if this will work for a nursery.

Interior architect Renée de Waal replies A happy and content baby is any mother’s dream and it’s no secret that colour has a significant impact on human behaviour. From the time your baby is about two to three months old, he or she will be able to perceive surrounding colours and just as particular sounds elicit an emotional response, so do colours.

These days, nurseries are no longer confined to gender-specific pinks and blues, which makes a neutral colour scheme the obvious choice if you’re looking for a more tranquil and practical environment. A combination of neutrals and the family of 1001 whites, together with pastel hues to accent the space, will make for a peaceful place to sleep, nurse and play. In addition, a small nursery will appear spacious and airy with a lighter colour scheme. And as your baby grows, the neutral palette is versatile enough to accommodate one or more wall colour changes when the time is right.

If you want to avoid over-stimulation and excitement in your baby, keep intense shades and bold colours to the minimum, otherwise these may lead to hyped-up energy. Dark colours, in particular black, have a depressing and cold effect on any space and should be applied with careful consideration.

However, no amount of colour theory can ever replace human emotion. No matter what the books say, it always comes down to the individual. When appropriate, allow your child to express their preferences; children will fall asleep where they feel safest and happiest. You might find yourself running off to your local paint shop for that tin of blue or pink paint in the end anyway!