Nursery ideas – 20 beautiful rooms new parents will love

The conventional wisdom on how to design a nursery has evolved significantly recently. While nowadays we might automatically associate pink with a girl’s nursery and blue with a boy’s, the opposite was accurate at the turn of the past century. This shift started in the middle of the twentieth century.

Many of us may be looking for gender-neutral nursery and kids’ room ideas since we don’t want to start early conditioning our boys or girls, but it also allows us more creative license in decor.

While most of these nursery room ideas are unisex, you’ll also find plenty of classic boy’s and girl’s nursery ideas.

NURSERY IDEAS

These are some of our favorite nursery design concepts, from the fundamentals through color-scheme implementation and detail addition.

1. THE BEST – AND WORST – NURSERY COLORS TO PICK

To what extent should you avoid certain hues when picking out nursery decor?

Putting aside your personal preferences, here is what Lee Chambers, MSc MBPsS, a psychologist and wellness consultant, has to say about how the colors you choose for your bedroom can affect your mood and health:

“When picking out a color scheme for a nursery’s room, most of us are immediately drawn to soft pastels, intricate patterns, and muted tones. Our goal is to provide a tranquil environment for our new little bundle of joy.

The psychology of color and its effect on emotions and actions is something else to consider when deciding the perfect bedroom colors for your nursery ideas.

When separating colors, it’s simplest to do so according to their temperature, with warmer colors being placed in one group and colder colors in another. Continued study in this area has revealed the emergence of certain patterns.

Over half of us choose yellow for our baby’s nursery, possibly because it can be used in a girl’s or boy’s room. According to Lee Chambers, “yellow is the magnificent color of neutrality.” A room painted with a cheerful shade of the sun’s color can boost productivity and morale.

Nonetheless, studies have shown that babies are more likely to cry when exposed to the color yellow than any other yellow.

Nearly 40% of people choose pink, making it the most common non-neutral color. Pink mitigates the stimulating effects of red while still being a popular bedroom choice.

It’s pleasant and soothing at first and can even make a kid more compassionate, but it might get annoying and make them act out if it goes on for too long.

The third position goes to the color purple. When looking for a change of pace, purple is a good option. It’s a beautiful compromise between the energetic red and the soothing blue, and you can adjust the balance by choosing a different hue. There is some maturity about it that may soften its more juvenile qualities.

To no one’s surprise, blue is in the bottom four. “A popular color, blue bedrooms create a peaceful ambiance that lowers stimulation and helps children rest down,” writes Lee Chambers.

It makes children feel more relaxed, a comforting sensation right before bedtime. It’s essential to strike a balance between being too pale and losing some benefits of the darker tone.

Green, “the emblematic color of nature and the color we can see the most shades of,” as Lee puts it, comes in at number five.

It borrows some of the joy of yellow and the serenity of blue due to its associations with expansion and nature. Although a green bedroom can help you focus and relax your thoughts, it won’t get your blood pumping or get you talking.

After that, we’ll move on to orange. An additional cheerful color that is rarely employed but is warm and inviting. If you want to get kids talking, this is the color to use, but it also makes them nervous and diverts their focus.

Red, the color most commonly associated with anger and fury, ranks dead last among nursery color choices.

Lee Chambers explains why this may not be the most excellent option. Red, the “very expressive” color of energy and wrath, is likely to produce a rambunctious, self-assured child and unafraid to test the boundaries.

While it may have some positive effects on children, there is a risk that it will raise their aggression, make them less focused, and overstimulate them.

2. BRING NATURE IN WITH CHINOISERIES 

The Canopy print by Tempaper is the perfect way to bring a sense of awe and delight into a nursery. Entering this room is like stepping into another planet that is both thrilling and calming. The ideal room for parents to relax and enjoy their newborn, as described by Anne Sage.

3. THE BEST NURSERY COLORS WORK FOR AN EASY TRANSITION FROM BABY TO CHILD

Many parents choose neutral colors when designing a nursery for a smooth transition from infant to toddlerhood. According to Cydney Ball, the assistant buyer of nursery at John Lewis, “they also go well with other spaces in your home.”

Using neutral colors in a nursery has the added benefit of allowing for a wider variety of ideas and accessories to be chosen.

As your baby ages, you won’t have to remodel the entire room, only the accessories you use to decorate it. Prints with a sense of humor and playfulness have also sold quite well.

Room orientation should be taken into account as well. Decorating warm and bright colors can help a North-facing room feel welcoming and comfortable.

“Don’t feel you have to go for one color, however; pulling out essential colors from your selected bedroom wallpaper ideas or using varying tones of the same color gives the space dimension.”

4. NURSERY WINDOW IDEAS – WHICH TO CHOOSE?

According to Cydney Ball, “it is vital to pick these based on the size of the window and the direction your nursery is facing.” This is especially true when looking for bedroom curtain ideas for a nursery.

Your baby will sleep better and for longer if you install blackout curtains or shades. You may find several brightly colored alternatives, making this a great place to add some pattern and color to your baby’s nursery.

Doubling up on blinds and curtains in a baby’s room that faces the street is one way to muffle the sounds of traffic and people walking by.

5. THE BEST FLOORING FOR NURSERIES

“Whether you want to carpet the room or go for something more practical to clean is very much a personal option,” explains Cydney Ball.

With hard flooring, a room can be made cozier by adding plush rugs, which are also necessary for any floor-based play.

6. PICKING LIGHTING FOR NURSERY ROOMS

Several great fairy light options bring a little nighttime magic to a nursery, and soft lighting is generally favored for this environment.

“A gentle night light can keep you from fumbling around in the dark during those nighttime feeds, and a modest reading lamp will make reading bedtime stories much easier.

Cydney Ball says, “There are some really exciting children’s bedroom lighting ideas available, such as dinosaur lamps or shark pendants,” which bring character to the space and are sure to be popular with children for years to come.

Or, you may go with something more eye-catching, like a center pendant that incorporates the design trends you want and is fun and engaging for your child’s bedroom.

7. MAKE ROOM FOR YOU TO RELAX, TOO

Your baby’s nursery should be more than simply a place for them to sleep; it should also be a peaceful retreat for you. Include a chair or lounge in the nursery that you may relax in while nursing or rocking your baby to sleep.

Upcycling is a cheap option for giving old furniture a new lease on life if money is short. An old wooden rocking chair might be transformed into the perfect place to unwind by simply sanding, painting, and reupholstering it.

8. MAKE ROOM TO GROW

Here is some guidance from Storkcraft’s Justin Segal on locating timeless nursery ideas:

• Accept the procedure.
• Look at pictures on sites like Pinterest and Instagram.
• Consult with your favorite decorators and books on the subject.

But remember that this is your nursery and should be decorated to reflect who you are. Whether it’s a treasured antique on the dresser or a little family is woven into the decor, a little bit of history and personality in the nursery will never go out of style.

Time and money are saved by planning and creating a nursery that will grow with your child. When shopping for your baby, stick to timeless designs and high-time items that may be used far into the child and preschool years. Think of a changing table that also serves as a chest of drawers or a decorating scheme that won’t look dated in a few years, like the one in the nursery shown up above, which makes use of bedroom ideas for boys to cut down on the amount of time spent redesigning.

Justin Segal elaborates that “Combination” nursery furniture is an intriguing item for families to explore, especially for families with less space to work with. Things to keep an eye out for in baby furniture are chests that can accommodate a changing topper, cribs with a built-in changing table and storage, and double dressers that can accommodate changing toppers. These options are worth considering if you’re trying to make the most of a small nursery.

9. ADD TEXTURE

Rearranging the nursery’s furniture and changing the colors and patterns can give it a new look. Using no more than three bold materials in a single space, such as a woolen rug, wicker basket, and a beaded wall hanging, is recommended.

There are few better ways to inject some life and texture into a room than with well-placed indoor plants, and a nursery is no exception. Indoor artificial foliage is a low-effort, low-cost substitute for live plants.

10. INCORPORATE STORAGE FOR ALL THOSE NURSERY MUST-HAVES

Justin Segal of Storkcraft states that “investing in nursery furniture with increased storage — such as a crib with a built-in drawer — can make life so much easier for parents.”

To paraphrase, “Keeping things tidy and orderly allows parents to focus on what matters most in the nursery — their kid,” and to reduce the stress associated with looking for lost items in a cluttered space.

Nursery bedroom storage is essential because newborns don’t take up much room, but their ideas do. Changing tables with built-in storage for items like diapers, wipes, and towels are a must-have for small nurseries.

Toys and decorations can be neatly displayed on open shelves, which can be a space-saving addition to a tiny bedroom. Floating shelves need a horizontal bar or a clear edge to prevent items from slipping off and hurting babies or toddlers.

Baskets and boxes are convenient for keeping extra blankets and clothing in the first few months and later for stuffing with toys. Make sure your child has easy access to storage so they can use it as they age and develop a sense of independence and participation.

11. MAKE A MURAL THE CENTERPIECE OF YOUR SCHEME

It would be best if you weren’t frightened to make a statement with the wall art in your nursery’s bedroom. According to Justin Segal of Storkcroft, “the best way to inject some life into a space is to create a feature wall.” This is your chance to experiment with different textures and wallpaper ideas to make a statement about who you are.

A brick, marble, concrete, animal print, or pastel accent wall in a nursery’s bedroom can make a difference.

Adding a mural behind the cotbed or changing table is a great way to give the room personality and offer the baby something to look at while trying to self-soothe or while on the changing table. Kids in a certain bedroom prefer wallpaper with natural themes or animal motifs.

12. USE NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHT WELL IN A NURSERY

Incorporating artificial and natural light sources into a room is a simple way to upgrade its atmosphere instantly. Make use of natural light; it will make the nursery feel warmer and cozier right away but have suitable drapes or blinds installed for the times when your baby will be napping during the day.

Custom-made blinds help you regulate the light entering the room at any given time, making the space a warm and welcoming haven for your baby at all hours of the day.

Whether you’re repurposing a spare bedroom or beginning with a new one, it’s crucial to take time planning, shopping around, and visualizing your nursery ideas before making any big purchases. Any problems that can arise later on can be avoided with a head start.

13. THINK: SAFETY FIRST IN A NURSERY

Safety should always come first when setting up the nursery, as Justin Segal emphasizes in his design on the topic. “Before you begin your adventure into nursery design, carefully investigate all topics connected to baby-proofing the nursery.

Finally, remember that you don’t have to give up your sense of style to prioritize safety. The objective is to design a posh space for your newborn that symbolizes who you are and what you value while being as nursery-safe as possible.

14. USE A DARK COLOR FOR A COCOONING AESTHETIC

Dark tones are an option if you’re looking for a calming color palette. Contrary to popular belief, eggplant works well with many colors, including grey, turquoise, blue, and white. Wooden plank flooring and rattan furniture add a soothing, rustic vibe to the room.

According to Jennifer Ebert, digital editor of Homes & Gardens, “a deceptive but delightful purple,” this color’s underlying blue tones add opulent richness and depth to the otherwise modest nursery.

15. USE COLOR IN VARIOUS FORMS 

Adding accent colors to the room with furniture and other decor is a fun way to keep things fresh and makes it simple to make a transition as your child gets older. Even after being painted beige, the walls make the room feel welcoming. According to Jessica Davis, owner and principal designer of JL Design, “we made sure the freestanding furniture had very stable bases to avoid tipping.” This allows for greater flexibility in the room’s layout.

16. HANG A WALLPAPER THAT TELLS A STORY

Children’s bedroom wallpaper patterns that are whimsical and tell a narrative are a great way to add a touch of sophistication to a kid’s space without sacrificing comfort or safety.

Picking a wallpaper for your baby’s or toddler’s bedroom that encourages creative play can help form essential associations at a young age. Editor of Period Living Melanie Griffiths writes, “A neutral design will only serve to reinforce the tranquil effect.”

17. INSTALL BESPOKE STORAGE TO SUIT YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

Custom storage units are expensive, but they can be well worth it if you think ahead. For instance, when your baby gets older, and their wardrobe expands, you’ll always need floor-to-ceiling closet space.

This nursery by Susie Maddox is a favorite of Country Homes & Interiors editor Andrea Childs because the changing table may be converted into a vanity in the future.

18. HAVE A FUN THEMED NURSERY

A nursery is an excellent location for play with scale, color, and pattern. Keep recurring ideas in mind. The best themes, in our opinion, are those that are both highly customizable and feature a large number of engaging, unique aspects.

“Although it is a good idea to avoid anything too current, like cartoon characters they might grow out of, there is a wonderful choice of nursery room designs to choose from that can provide your child with a stimulating and magical environment in which to grow up,” says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens.

19. PICK A CALMING COLOR SCHEME

If you’re already a fan of minimalist design, it’s only natural that you’d apply the same principles to the baby’s nursery.

It’s OK to wallpaper just one wall; make the pattern simple so it can be used even when your baby is older. A dark grey morphing unit with a simple linear print will last a long time. Put some lovely textures in a tree or plant, and avoid excess furniture.

20. INVEST IN FREESTANDING STORAGE  

Because they develop rapidly, infants quickly outgrow their parents’ clothing. With their design to be easily packed up and relocated, freestanding pieces are a minor option. Make it your own by adding a touch of personality with patterned paper on the inside back panel. No matter how small you are, you can never have too much nursery storage, which is why peg rails and wall-mounted shelves are such fantastic ideas.

WHAT DO YOU NEED IN A NURSERY ROOM?

A nursery is a great place to begin when getting ready for a new baby to join your family. It doesn’t matter if you have a studio apartment or a mansion; what matters is that you and your baby have a safe and small place to spend time together. As Cydney Ball, the assistant buyer of nursery at John Lewis, says, “this needs to be a room where, as much as possible, the concerns of the outside world melt away.”

No matter what room you choose for the nursery, it’s a good idea to include as much storage space as you can. There will be a lot of new clothes, blankets, and toys that need a place to live, so making a basic system where items can be quickly found can help tremendously.

You can save some floor space by using a changing pad that fits on top of a chest of drawers or a footstool that doubles as a storage cubby so you can lay back and relax while feeding.

One of the first things to decide when decorating a room for a baby is where and in what kind of bed the child will sleep. You may get various cribs, cots, and cotbeds in stores and online. Still, some cot bed designs include practical features like drawers in the base of the bed for stowing away small items.

A cotbed may, as the name suggests, transform from a cot into a bed that is appropriate for a toddler and will work with future ideas for a baby’s or a bed’s bedroom.

Since you’ll be spending a lot of time there, you must pay attention to the finer points contributing to a relaxing room. Rugs on hardwood floors, for instance, feel great underfoot and help muffle noise, creating a cozier atmosphere.

Shelving is lovely for creating cheery vignettes throughout the room by exhibiting things like books, toys, and presents. The shelves should be stocked with the books you loved reading as a child, and you can add some personal touches by doing this.

Comfortable and convenient, a nursing chair can be used for various purposes, including reading and feeding. They can be tailored to ease your backache, rock gently or swiftly, or glide silently so as not to wake a sleeping baby.

“Storage baskets, canopies, and cushions are all fantastic ways for expectant parents to make their nursery cozier and inviting,” the author writes.