Every parenting site has a nursery safety checklist. Most of them are 50+ items long and include things like "make sure the nursery feels calming" and "choose a soothing color palette." That's decorating advice, not safety.
Here's a checklist that focuses on the stuff that actually prevents injuries and saves lives.
The Crib
This is the most important piece of furniture in the nursery. Get it right.
Crib should meet current CPSC standards (look for JPMA certification)
Slat spacing must be less than 2 3/8 inches apart (the width of a soda can)
No drop sides — they've been banned since 2011
Mattress should fit snugly with no gaps (you shouldn't be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib wall)
Use a firm, flat mattress with a tight-fitting sheet. Nothing else in the crib. No bumpers, no pillows, no blankets, no stuffed animals, no positioners
If buying used, check the model against CPSC recalls
The "nothing else in the crib" rule trips people up because it looks bare and uncomfortable. But babies don't need soft bedding. They need a firm surface and room to breathe. Bumper pads have caused suffocation deaths. They're banned in several states.
Furniture
Anchor the dresser to the wall with anti-tip hardware. This is non-negotiable. Dressers tip over and kill children every year.
Keep the changing table or pad on a sturdy surface. Never leave baby unattended on it, not for a second.
If the dresser is also the changing station, make sure the changing pad has a safety strap and non-skid backing.
Window Safety
Install window guards or stops that prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches
Cut or tie up blind cords. Better yet, switch to cordless blinds. Blind cord strangulation is a known killer.
Don't place the crib near a window. Sunlight, temperature fluctuation, and cord access are all risks.
Electrical
Cover all outlets with sliding plate covers (not plug-in caps that can be removed)
Secure or hide lamp cords and monitor cords
No extension cords running across the floor
Keep monitor camera and cord at least 3 feet from the crib
Temperature and air
Room temperature should stay between 68-72°F
Use a fan for air circulation (this has been associated with reduced SIDS risk)
No space heaters in the nursery
A ceiling fan is fine as long as it's securely mounted
Smoke and co Detectors
Working smoke detector in or just outside the nursery
CO detector on the same floor
Test both monthly
Lighting
Night light that doesn't get hot (LED, not incandescent)
No candles, ever
Lamp should be out of baby's reach
Floor
If you use a rug, it should have non-slip backing
Keep the floor clear of small objects
Check under the crib regularly for fallen items
The Door
Consider a door stopper or finger-pinch guard on the nursery door
A door monkey or hook-and-eye latch high on the door frame lets you keep the door ajar without it closing or swinging
What you Don't Need
You don't need a special air purifier (unless your pediatrician recommends one). You don't need a video monitor that tracks breathing (unless medically advised). You don't need a wipe warmer, a diaper pail with special bags, or a sound machine that costs $200.
Safe sleep surface. Anchored furniture. Covered outlets. Cord-free windows. Working smoke detector. That's the core of it. Everything else is either nice-to-have or marketing.
Print this list. Walk through your nursery with it. Fix what needs fixing. Then stop worrying about whether the wall color is calming enough.