Top Parenting Trends of 2009

For trendy colors (no pastels here) and sleek modern lines, parents will be looking beyond traditional baby stores for inspiration more and more this year. "New moms and dads want their child's nursery to be fun and kid-friendly but still reflect their overall style," says Janel Laban, Nursery Managing Editor at Apartment Therapy's Ohdeedoh.com, a popular blog on baby decor. This is especially happening with furniture selection. Laban is seeing parents mix in inexpensive thrift store pieces like dressers or armoires and kid-ifying them by refinishing and adding a changing table on top. Or she's seeing them pair a crib with more modern "adult" bookcases and rugs from places like CB2, Ikea, and Target. "Parents are being more practical and using pieces that can later be moved into a family room," she says, citing budget as another good reason to jump on this trend.

Trend Tip: Focus on working in more grown-up accessories like lamps and rugs -- Urban Outfitters, PB Teen, and Delia's have fun and funky buys.

Check out gorgeous nursery photos