This is something DH and I have been going back and forth on a lot. We are thinking of a theme based around a book (or author) but can't decide which just yet.
Then I read an article that talked about how you SHOULD NEVER have a crib bumper, or anything in the crib outside of a mattress with a fitted sheet and your baby. After reading that I am redebating themes again. For me crib bedding is a huge part of the theme, and if you aren't supposed to have that, then might it be a better idea to just have great colours and accessories?
What are your thoughts? Big plans for the nursery? 
Re: Nursery Themes?
Besides a bumper, there are a ton of ways to incorporate a theme - wall decor, curtains, wallpaper/wall decals, stuffed animals, framed pictures, lamps, mobiles.
DH and I haven't started brainstorming yet. We will probably wait until we find out what we're having. it's fun to look though!
Indeed there are! I am kinda wondering how far I want to take it, and this is a bit harder without knowing the sex (asked DH again last night if he wants to find out and his main reason for saying No is he doesn't think I can keep a secret).
I do plan on having a theme though, but that won't be decided until the a/s.
We had a discussion a few days ago about this.
I'm planning to make a custom fitted sheets, a crib skirt, and buy a breathable bumper. I won't buy a bedding set bc you don't use half the stuff that comes with it and they're so expensive. You could stick with your theme and just find fabric to go along with it. The crib sheet requires a sewing machine, but you can make a cutom crib skirt with that iron adhesive tape.
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This exactly. I think I've picked out our theme and we won't be ordering the bedding, just the mobile, lamp, window valance, wall decor etc that are all that theme and then buying stuffed animals that match too.
YES!!! DH and I do have a theme. We are both hunters and avid ourdoorsman so we decided that since we wanted to be gender neutral we would do a woodland theme. I have already purchased (due to our previous losses) items to go on the walls, stuff to make the mobile, lamps, and other small decorative items. The room is already painted a pretty sky blue color with white trim, and we are going to paint clouds all around with birds, whitetail deer, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, grass, rocks, and a great big tree that has mine and DH's initials painted on it in a heart. He loved the ideas that I came up with so that is what we are doing. Here are a few of the items I have so far. I took the chime part off of the one and I'm going to make that into a mobile!
 Sorry the picture is so big...I can't get it any smaller.
I just read this story on crib bumpers yesterday:
https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/18/health/no-bumpers-cribs-sids-parenting/index.html?hpt=he_c2
As far as a theme I have been looking at ideas but I have no real plans yet!
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No theme yet. We did paint the room when we moved into our house three years ago (was a horrid, loud aqua/teal, now it's a nice neutral yellow) so will need to find something to coordinate. Also agree we probably won't buy a bedding set because it's a little silly. Baby will probably need several sets of sheets so would rather register for those.
I hate all the character stuff, and have seen some themes (like cowboy/cowgirl) so overdone. I might actually not even do a theme and just go for practicality and reusability when we grow our family in the future.
Celestial, I love the Dr. Seuss idea. Have you ever been to Seussville (I think that's what it's called) in Orlando? It might be a neat source of inspiration for your theme if you need any.
My office, which will turn into the nursery, is already painted a very soft pale blue that can go either boyish or girlish. I love dragonflies, so I am thinking about going with a pond-life theme to tie that in. If it's a boy, we'll go more froggy. If it's a girl, maybe more butterflies and flowers. I will probably make the curtains and bedskirt, and I'm hoping my aunt will make us a quilt. (She is an amazing quilter!)
We are also renovating the upstairs guest bath which will be what we use for the baby, but I don't really want to decorate it too kid-fashioned since it will also be used by guests. What are your thoughts?
We used bumpers too. DS didn't sleep in his crib until about 10 months. Up until then, he slept in the bed with us, which is also against "the rules".
Great article! Thank you!
**HELLO 6 month bump"
That's a very cute idea!
DS got moved to his crib when he was 5 mo old..until then he slept in his pack n play beside my bed. we had a bumper because when it wasn't on he would get his foot stuck in his crib slats. also by that time he could turn over and scooch around in the bed so it wasnt as big of a deal. and he always had to have a blanket covering him up or else he wouldnt sleep. the doctor told me that after they can turn over and move themselves around that i didnt have to worry about all of those things.
Decorating will be the tough part as I am always changing my mind. If it is a girl, I really like the name Paisley, so maybe play off of the paisley design.
Not sure for a boy though. DH and I are big music fans, and I found on Etsy a place that makes wall hangings that quote songs. We are huge Dave Matthews fans, and saw one that said "Little Feet, Little Hands, Little Baby". There are other hangings that read lyrics from songs.
As far as bumpers go, you're not supposed to use the padded ones, but they do make breathable ones. They are great for keeping arms and legs from poking between the bars if you have a mover.
Even without all the stuff in the crib, you can still use the bedskirt and curtains, and decorate the walls, as PPs have said. We hung our crib comforter up on the wall to add to the theme decor.
Boy- Le Petite Prince (Baby blue, mint green, gold, cream)
Girl- French Garden (Rose, mint green, gold, cream)
Crib bumpers are about to become illegal in Maryland. They are one of the main risks for SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome. I lost a 5 month old cousin to SIDS. His mother is a doctor and has become a national spokesperson on the subject. When I was pregnant with DS I asked her what I needed to do to reduce the risk of SIDS. She said:
1. absolutely nothing in the crib. no bumpers, no blankets (use a sleep sack), no stuffed animals, nothing.
2. put the baby to sleep on his/her back.
3. make sure the room isn't too warm.
4. use a pacifier.
That said, here are 2 photos of our nursery:
You have to buy this! You'll love it! I used it a lot when Kate was suffering through reflux.
RSClem- That is such great advice! Based on my own research before Kate was born, I followed all of those rules. They are such simple things that can save a baby's life.
This baby is going to be sharing a room with my daughter, so if it's a girl, I'm all set. Her room is done in lots of white and pink and purple with a flower and bird theme. Here's a crappy AW cell phone picture of the artwork before it was hung up. I made 3 of the purple flower canvases:
If it's a boy, I'm thinking of redoing it with a red theme--red patterned sheets, red picture frames, and some red artwork for the walls. I'm not quite sure what to do about window coverings, though. Right now the window has a pink valance (I'm paranoid about them strangling themsevles with longer window shades). I guess I could do a white or red valance, but I think valances are kind of girly.
Love this!!! Might have to make an early purchase.....