Part of the fun of welcoming baby home is preparing your living space for the new little person in your life. Even if you don't have the room completely ready for baby before you come home from the hospital, you can make a mental list of what you'd like to do. Setting up baby's nursery is exciting—many parents pick a theme and then enjoy matching bedding, lamps, wallpaper, rugs, and toys. Others focus on making a new bed space or reusing things from the family. Whether you're shopping for new items or updating used ones, it helps to consider what will attract your baby as well as what pleases you. Start with this handy checklist of basics for baby's room.

• Bassinet or crib
• Changing table
• Bureau or clothes storage
• Infant seat
• Rocking chair
• Lamp
• Swing
• Humidifier
• Radiator cover
• Non-slip rug
• Nursery monitor
• Crib gym or mobile
• Door gate (not accordion-style)