INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you coax your baby to sleep by rocking them, gradually stop the practice so that your baby learns to fall asleep without human contact.  When weaning your baby from this practice, rock them until your child starts relaxing but is not quite asleep. Your baby might protest after you stop, but if your baby feels relaxed enough, these protests should not last long before they drift off. Gradually decrease the amount of time you spend rocking your baby until, eventually, your baby is able to fall asleep simply by being held and not by being rocked. After your baby adjusts to falling asleep without being rocked, you can transition them to falling asleep without being held. If your baby sleeps in your bed, graduate them to a separate bassinet or small cradle placed directly next to your bed. Your baby might feel more comfortable with the concept of not being able to cling to you at night if they can at least see you. After your baby has adjusted to sleeping separately and has done so for several weeks, you can consider moving your baby out of the room completely. Instead of holding your baby during nap time, let your baby fall asleep wherever they can get comfortable.  Oftentimes, babies have an easier time napping in baby swings or car seats than a crib. This is mostly due to the fact that these spaces are more enclosed, thereby mimicking the feeling of being held in mom's or dad's arms. While these spaces should not be used for naps indefinitely, they can be helpful in transitioning your baby from napping in your arms to  sleeping alone. Once your baby adjusts to sleeping alone in a confined space, you can start placing them in the open space of a crib during nap time. Start your baby on napping in the crib before requiring your baby to sleep through the night there. Many babies have an easier time falling asleep alone during the day, when things are lighter and more active, than they do at night, once everything quiets down and they can no longer see or hear their parents. The transition into the crib may not happen quickly. You may need to stay in the room with your baby as they fall asleep for the first few weeks.

SUMMARY: Stop rocking your baby to sleep. Use a bassinet. Let your baby nap where they are comfortable. Introduce your baby to the crib during the day. Give your baby time to adjust to sleeping alone at night.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you have a hardwood floor (lucky you) a small throw rug next to the bed should be the only floor covering you need. Keeping the floor bare makes a room seem more spacious, while covering a floor with small rugs dissects it and makes it look cluttered. Plus, you'll avoid the expense of buying extra floor coverings.  If you have carpeting, avoid breaking it up with smaller throw rugs. Keep the floor clear of random objects like bean bag chairs, piles of clothing, and other odds and ends. Investing in a few good-quality mirrors is a great idea when you're working with limited space. Mirrors really do trick the eye into thinking a space is larger than it is. Install sturdy shelves on the wall and use it for the books or trinkets you want to display. You'll free up a lot of floor space by getting rid of your bookcase. You may love your collection of vintage cuckoo clocks, but chances are they're taking up too much space in your little bedroom. Choose your favorite items to display and put the rest in storage. You can rotate them out after a few months to keep things fresh and interesting. Plants are an inexpensive way to add a beautiful decorative touch to a room, and they don't have to take up too much space. Go to your local nursery and pick out a few plants small enough to display on your windowsill or a shelf.  You could also consider installing a hook in the ceiling and buying a hanging plant to place near a window. Succulents, such as air plants, require very little upkeep. You can hang them up or display them on a shelf in pretty glass containers; just spray them with water once a week to keep them green and healthy.

SUMMARY:
Keep the floor as bare as possible. Use mirrors to make the room feel larger. Use wall shelves instead of a bookcase. Choose just a few trinkets to display. Find a place for a plant or two.