Baby Bliss: How to Design the Perfect Nursery

When you design a baby nursery, you have the opportunity to mix creativity with functionality to create a space that is unique, beautiful, practical and safe for your precious little one. We interviewed interior designs and other experts for tips on how to create something really special.

How to select your color palette or theme

“Selecting a color palette or theme for a nursery is a delightful yet crucial decision that sets the tone for the entire room,” said Elissa Hall, lead designer and founder of EDH Interiors.

Tips to choosing your nursery’s colors:

Color schemes for nurseries should be chosen from soft, soothing hues that set the right ambiance for both the new baby and their parents, advised Ben Johnson, an interior designer and the CEO of Big Ben.

When selecting the best color for a nursery you should consider both aesthetic preferences and the psychological impact of colors, said Amber Mundy, home improvement specialist at Build and Renovate

“Soft blues, muted greens, pale purples, earthy neutrals, soft yellows, serene teals, and pastel pinks are all excellent choices that can create a nurturing and calming environment for your baby,” she advised. “By understanding the effects of different colors, you can design a nursery that not only looks beautiful but also promotes your baby's well-being and development.”

Mundy explained why the following hues work for a nursery:

Serene Teals

Teal, a blend of blue and green, offers the calming benefits of both colors. It provides a sense of balance and tranquility, making it an excellent choice for a gender-neutral nursery. Teal can be used as a primary color or as an accent to add depth and interest.

Pastel Pinks

While traditionally associated with femininity, pastel pinks can create a cozy and warm ambiance. Gentle tones that lean more neutral are less likely to become overwhelming and can maintain a calming effect over time.

Earthy Neutrals

Neutral colors such as beige, ivory, and light gray are versatile and timeless. They create a warm, grounding effect and can be easily paired with various accent colors. Neutrals are also soothing and easy on the eyes, making them a great backdrop for a nursery that can transition as your child grows.

Pale Purples

Colors like lavender and lilac combine the calming properties of blue with the nurturing warmth of pink. These pale shades create a soft and serene atmosphere, perfect for a restful nursery. However, it's important to stick to lighter shades, as darker purples can be too stimulating.

Soft Blues

Soft shades of blue, such as powder blue, aqua, and periwinkle, are excellent choices for a nursery. These colors are known to have a calming effect, helping to lower heart rate and reduce anxiety. Blue creates a serene and peaceful environment, making it ideal for promoting restful sleep and relaxation.

Muted Greens

Green is associated with nature and has a soothing, calming effect. Muted shades like sage, seafoam and moss green can create a nurturing atmosphere that promotes a sense of well-being. Green is also believed to enhance concentration and may improve reading ability, making it a great choice for a nursery that will grow with your child.

Soft Yellows

Yellow is associated with happiness and motivation. Soft, subtle shades of yellow can create a cheerful and welcoming environment. However, it's important to avoid overly bright or intense yellows, as they can be overstimulating and may lead to feelings of frustration and agitation

Photo credit: Ben Johnson

Suggestions on picking a theme

Themes could include nature, animals, fairy tales or thematic elements. Hall recently worked on a project, for example, that involved a "sky and sea" theme, where the walls were painted in a gradient, with light blue at the top to sandy beige at the bottom, mimicking the horizon. Then elements like cloud-shaped shelves and sea creature decals were added to expand on the theme.

“The major factor to consider here would be choosing colors and themes that will grow with the child, making replacements as he grows up less of a hurdle,” Johnson said.

Kelly Littleton, founder of Siena and Birch Interior Design, mom of two with a second on the way, embraced that philosophy when designing her next child’s nursery, creating an elevated and timeless aesthetic that will grow with her child versus going all-in on a newborn theme. That included investing in a crib that converts to a toddler bed rather than using a bassinet. “Don’t overdo it with clutter or newborn items as you will get lots of gifts and you want to prioritize a non-stimulating, calming environment and having open space for them to play and grow into,” she advised. 

Photo credit: Ben Johnson

Make a book nook

A cozy book nook encourages early reading habits and provides a quiet spot for story time is always a good addition to a nursery, suggested Hall. You can create this fairly simply with a few soft cushions, a small bookshelf and good lighting. Make sure you attach any furniture to the walls — you want to ensure nothing topples over. In general, everything in the space should avoid sharp edges and use non-toxic material.

Try using a mural or an accent wall

A mural helps spur a child’s creativity by transforming a plain wall into an amazing landscape ready for adventure. “In one nursery, we created a whimsical forest mural that spanned an entire wall, complete with hand-painted trees and woodland creatures,” said Hall. “This not only added a magical touch but also served as an engaging visual for the baby.” 

Wall decals can provide the same effect as painted murals, suggested Johnson, but are easy to apply and remove. He also likes including a gallery wall in nurseries. “Put up a mix of family photos, artwork and inspirational quotes,” Johnson said. “This gives a personal touch to the room and keeps baby visually stimulated. Just make sure the frames are securely fastened and way out of reach as the baby will grow.”

Another approach is to use an accent wall with a bold pattern or texture, which can add depth and interest to the room, said Hall.

Carpet vs. flooring in the nursery

Carpet or hard flooring, both work in a nursery. Consider your personal preference for comfort and maintenance — each offers different advantages. “Soft and comfortable, carpet is ideal for a nursery,” pointed out Mundy. “It provides a cushioned surface for your baby to crawl and play on.” Plus options such as wool, plush and Berber are durable and easy to clean.

Hardwood or laminate flooring is also easy to clean and maintain, and “is ideal for a space that will inevitably encounter spills and messes,” said Hall. If you love the look of hardwood or laminate floors, you can soften them with washable area rugs and have the best of both worlds. For example, the cottage home of Tom Farmer, founder of Our Country Garden, contains wooden floors, so the family installed a large, soft rug in the nursery, which provided a soft play surface and added warmth.

Mundy recommended avoiding tile since it is hard and can be slippery for toddlers. “It's also uncomfortable for parents who spend time on the floor,” she said.

Suggestions for creating your best nursery

So much goes into a nursery, from choosing furniture to lighting to organizing all the items you need so they’re easy to find and keep out of the baby’s way when necessary. Here are some last tips we gathered from experts:

• “Add ample storage with shelving, and bins along with multi-functional furniture,” said Johnson. “Baskets to be labeled for toys, garments and other mainstays can be an added benefit in keeping things in order.”
• “Don’t forget that this room should be comfortable not only for the child, but also for the parents, buy a soft and comfortable chair or a small sofa, and put a table nearby,” said Evelina Juzėnaitė, principal interior designer at Planner 5D.
• “Rather than buying new baby-specific furniture, I shopped my home, using a vintage piece as a dresser and adding a changing pad on top,” said Littleton.
• “Start with an optimized layout thinking about designated zones for sleeping, changing, feeding, and storage,” said Littleton. “Lighting is critical — ensuring you have a dimmer switch/night light bulbs or options for different levels of task lighting as well as window treatments with blackout lining or even low-cost velcro blackout options layered with curtains.” 

Want to decorate your older child's room, read our post on creating a fun space for kids.

Featured image credit: Ben Johnson