40 Nursery Decorating Ideas for a Sweet, Comfortable Space
Your dream baby deserves a dreamy nursery—and so do you.
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One of the great joys of planning for a baby is designing a nursery. There's nothing sweeter than a baby's room. Of course, there are essential items like blackout shades and a changing table that you'll need, but right now we're here for the fun stuff: nursery decorating ideas. In addition to being whimsical and sweet, a nursery does need to be functional, comfortable, and durable. "I always urge my clients to invest in pieces that will last through several stages, especially with furniture like dressers, nightstands, and bookcases," designer Brelan Owen Pearson of The Owen Group says. "And although it may be tempting, try not to lean too trendy so you are not redoing it in a few years." It can also be easy to fall into certain themes with children's bedrooms —zoo animals, ballerinas, circus—but Pearson suggests avoiding motifs you or your future toddler might tire of quickly. It's better to set a mood that's inviting and calming for you and your baby.
We believe it's never too early to appreciate good design, plus a serene room can put you in a serene state of mind. That's why we've gathered these beautiful nursery decorating ideas from designers to help you plan your baby's space. Read on to find the inspiration that'll help you make it look exactly the way you've pictured it.
Frame the Entrance
If your baby's nursery is situated off your primary suite, consider separating it with a set of dramatic curtains, as Kim Armstrong did here. They'll create a soft buffer between the two spaces that can be helpful for sleeping without making you feel too far away.
Swap in Playful Hardware
A nursery is a kid's room after all, so have fun with details like the hardware. Take a note from designer Hilary Matt, and opt for oversized painted knobs for the armoire or closet. Bonus: In a few years, they'll be easier for little hands to grab hold of—no pinched fingers in sight.
Create a Cozy Alcove
If you're unsure what to do with a bay window in the nursery, place the crib there to make it the focal point of the room. Julie Laux of J. Jordan Homes used the architectural feature in the nursery of House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home to her advantage that way. Just be sure to invest in blackout shades to let your baby sleep soundly.
Let It Double as a Guest Room
You don't necessarily have to give up your guest room to create a nursery. Take a note from the nursery in designer Lauren Lowe's Atlanta home, and offer a chic daybed to friends and family who stay over. When it's occupied, baby can sleep in a bassinet in your room, and when it's not, you can nap there yourself.
Add Decorative Paneling
Playful colors and patterns are a great way to bring a youthful energy to a nursery, but they can easily become overwhelming without the right balance. For a calm, sweet look that's still visually interesting, paint decorative wall paneling in a single serene color, as Eneia White did here.
Look to the Color Wheel
Go for a fresh complementary color pairing that's a little less expected than the typical pastel blue, pink, or yellow. Veering away from the traditional blue-and-orange palette, Amy Berry toned the hues down by opting for softer shades of the two.
Add Color Through Artwork
Neutrals colors make a great palette for a simple nursery, and you won't have to worry about repainting when your child grows out of the pastels. To bring in a bit more color, Chauncey Boothby painted the window frame and hung tiger artwork on the walls.
Paint a Mural
Give your child's nursery a storybook appearance with a whimsical wall mural. In her daughter's room, Katie Hodges chose to go with freeform botanicals that coordinate with the armchair perfectly.
Give Yourself a Corner Too
Some nights it can feel like you'll never stop walking back and forth to your little one's room. So carve out a corner for yourself, as Amy Berry did in House Beautiful's 2019 Whole Home. A striped daybed gives you a comfortable and convenient place to rest.
Wrap the Room in Wallpaper
Looking for a cozy and uncomplicated nursery decorating idea? Borrow this one from Meta Coleman, and carry your wallpaper across the ceiling. A small-scale botanical print cocoons the room in a singular pattern without being overwhelming.
Utilize Natural Textures
Tom Raffield looked to the outdoors for this nursery in Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. The natural wood shiplap adds warmth to the room, complements the darker stain of the crib and Shaker peg rail, and sets a subdued color scheme that'll lull even the most restless infant to sleep.
Repurpose Family Heirlooms
The wicker chair in the nursery of Cate Dunning's Atlanta home once belonged to Dunning's great-grandmother Mollie, her daughter's namesake. An antique is always a great way to add depth and character to a room's design, but it's extra special when the piece also reminds you of family members you love.
Let Storage Double as Surface Area
Any parent knows that a new little one comes with a lot of accouterments. Storage can be tricky, especially when closet space is limited. In this nursery by Starrett Hoyt Ringbom, antique trunks become extra surface and storage space.
Choose an Artful Mobile
Jayson Home's Devin Kirk wanted to decorate his family's Chicago apartment in a way that allows for growth and embraces change, so he opted for modern nursery decorating ideas that still feel playful, like this mobile that doubles as modern art.
Invest in Window Treatments
As any parent will tell you, blackout shades are one of the best nursery decorating ideas. Instead of trying to make do with flimsy paper stick-ons, invest in window treatments that will last, like the patterned drapes in this nursery by Emily Janak.
Incorporate Cozy Textures
Welcoming materials, warm neutrals, and tons of natural light are the hallmarks of the nursery Leanne Ford created in her own home. The furniture is a mix of vintage items and pieces from her line with Crate & Kids.
Lean Into Fun
When it comes to designing a memorable nursery, more is more (is more). The space Jenna Gross of Colordrunk Designs designed for her third child is energized by pattern play, in contrasting hues that will grow with its occupant.
Hang a Playful Light
In this baby's room by Tasmin Johnson, timeless pieces—like the matching chair and ottoman, framed photographs, and traditional dresser—give the room a refined edge that will age well. To balance it out, she chose a whimsical pendant light.
Design for the Ages
To ensure the room could grow with her mini client, designer Heidi Caillier used an unexpected color scheme but kept all the furniture and textiles traditional for a balanced vibe. The mix of patterns will surely age nicely and work well in an older kid's room or a home office should the family decide to repurpose the space later.
Channel Nature
Designer Jean Stoffer says painting the ceiling and walls the same color "is a way to really level up your design." Here, she opted for a deep forest green tone plays up the trees outside and creates a calming atmosphere. The pocket door is another brilliant nursery idea since it doesn't eat up floor space and makes check-ins quiet.
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