Creating a space for your baby is one of the most exciting things you can do as an expectant parent. (Even if you’ve never been into home decor before, by month 8, you suddenly will be. Nesting is a thing. Trust.) But the dilemma is that children grow, and fast. No one wants to be redecorating a kid’s room every three years. So, with the help of Shonali Mahajan, design director at Discern Living, here are tips on how to decorate a nursery that will outlast the baby years.

How to decorate a nursery that grows with your child

Invest in timeless furniture.

Mahajan says this is her top rule for decorating a nursery.

“When you have a baby, it is easy to get caught up in cutesy imagery and fun, pint-sized furniture,” she says. “However, in a couple of years all of this will seem too young, and you will find yourself having to redecorate. Invest in pieces that are beautiful and timeless, but also work in a child’s room. For example, consider a wooden chest with some fun detailing. You can engrave your child’s name in it to make it more personal and this can become a family heirloom that gets used, and passed down from one generation to the next.”

When buying furniture while you’re decorating a nursery, look for pieces that you can imagine using in another room or for years to come. Avoid brightly painted, overtly childish pieces that will feel outdated faster than you can say growth spurt.

Choose multi-functional pieces.

More and more furniture makers are recognizing families’ needs and crafting convertible furniture that will grow with your child. Majahan suggests decorating a nursery with items such as, “cribs that turn into toddler beds, changing tables that double as a storage unit, and highchairs that can be used as regular chairs.”

Pieces that can be used for the lifetime of two products rather than one save you time and money, particularly if you have more than one child who share a room. Think changing table that becomes clothing and toy storage.

Plan for storage.

When purchasing items for decorating a nursery, try to buy pieces that maximize storage. Kids come with a lot of accoutrements. Think of a crib with drawers underneath it, a changing table with drawers, or a daybed with shelves. This way, you’ll want to salvage the furniture for its storage capacity even when your child outgrows it.

Don’t go overboard with the kitsch.

It can be tempting to populate a child’s room with endearing storks, angels and teddy bears. However — your child will play with these toys maybe twice before finding a new favourite.

Don’t worry about decorating a nursery in a way that isn’t baby-ish. Forgoing the pastel walls, childish furniture and toys in favour of neutral colours not only gives children space to decorate their room as they grow up, it also means their room can double as a guest room for actual adults.

Have fun with accessories.

This is, perhaps, the final important tip on how to decorate a nursery with a long-term view. Sure, knowing how to decorate a nursery that grows with your kid is all about neutrals and classics. But don’t think you have to give up childlike whimsy altogether. You can use things like rugs, wall stencils, picture frames and accent pillows to create a that sense of childlike playfulness. And yet, these pieces are easily updated as children grow old enough to help in choosing what their room looks like.