Creating and decorating a room for a baby that hasn’t been born yet can be one of the most difficult design projects there is. That’s because, in part, it’s usually being done or directed by a female under the influence of some pretty strong hormones. It’s also because there are so many different ways it can be done.

Gone are the days when all baby girls were swaddled completely in pink and all boys in pale blue. We now know that brand new infants don’t, in fact, see pastels very clearly. Primary colors are a better choice for items in a newborn’s room.

Coordinating fabrics between crib sheets, blankets and bunting and baby curtains can be done easily. One quick way to ensure a match is to make your own valance or panels to hang. It’s a project even a non-sewer can tackle with ease and one that you know is safe for the baby since baby bedding is all made from flame retardant materials.

All you need to do is purchase extra flat crib sheets (enough for two panels per window in the room) of the fabric of your choice. Fold down one side of the sheet three times the width of the curtain rod you plan to use and sewing it across. Leave the sides open to slide the rod through and your curtains are ready to be hung.

The curtain fabric shouldn’t be your only concern however. Nurseries and everything in them need to be decorated for a slightly older, more mobile infant, then toddler. That means they need to be designed with safety in mind as well as good looks.

Baby curtains can present a safety hazard. Or rather, the cords and hardware that hold them are. Long cords that dangle frequently prove irresistible to small children who reach up and grab them. Unfortunately, each year there are reports of tragedies involving toddlers becoming fatally entangled in cords. Heavy, decorative hardware that holds up the curtains can also cause serious injury if it can be pulled out of the wall by a toddler trying to climb up a curtain.

Baby curtains draped around a bassinet or crib can also pose hazards. In this case, they’re likely to be used by a toddler to climb out of a bed. Serious falls can result.

Speaking of bed and sleeping, there is one other concern you should keep in mind when buying or sewing your baby curtains. That’s how much light they will block from the room. While everyone loves a bright, cheery room, infants, like adults, will frequently sleep longer and more soundly if the room can be darkened.

There are hundreds of catalogs and online stores that will give you thousands of options to buy or sew. With so many options, you’re sure to find the perfect baby curtains for your nursery.