How to Decorate a Nursery

When you have a new baby approaching, nesting is all part of the process. It’s normal to want your baby to have the perfect environment that’s both beautiful and functional, and deciding how to decorate their nursery is an important part of that.

Decorating your baby’s nursery should be fun and exciting, so in this post, we’re going to go over how to decorate a nursery that you (and the baby!) will love. 

Start with a Desired Theme or Look 

If you don’t have a look in mind yet, that’s okay! 

Spend some time on Pinterest or browse on sites like The Spruce to look at plenty of different examples of nurseries. You’ll find pictures of decor in every color, theme, and style imaginable. 

Image source: Unsplash

Some expecting couples might just a theme like “wildlife safari” or even Harry Potter, but you don’t have to go this route. You can also find a general look that you like, whether it’s with bold colors or soft earth tones. 

Coordinate Furniture With Your Crib 

The crib is the show-stopper for most nurseries, especially since it’s so symbolic of the new addition you’ll be bringing home, so you want it to be a gorgeous piece. 

Choose your crib before choosing your other furniture so that everything can coordinate. 

Our personal favorite look is the mid-century modern crib, which has a minimalistic look with clean lines. You can find plenty of options that are up-to-date with today’s safety standards and that convert into a toddler bed when you’re ready.

Image source: Babyletto 

Once you’ve selected the crib, find furniture that matches. In many cases, boutique retailers may have collections so that it’s easy to match the crib with a changing table, a rocking chair, and a dresser. 

Pick Your Paint Colors 

Soft, pastel colors are common for newborns, with green, soft grey, and yellow being popular gender-neutral colors. Plenty of parents are opting for more gender-neutral colors for a number of reasons, including the possibility of having more children in the future.

Image source: Pixabay 

There are no rules, though. Think about the look you’re going for, and go from there. And if you can’t choose just one color, remember that you can do an accent wall in a darker or brighter color to add a pop without it being overwhelming. 

Create Functional & Gorgeous Storage 

Babies come with a lot of stuff. There’s no getting around that. 

You’ll have an abundance of new clothes, especially since they grow so quickly that you’ll want to be ready with the next size up or two on-hand. You’ll also have new toys, packages upon packages of diapers, and (pro tip!) extra fitted sheets and bed protectors on hand for late-night diaper disasters. 

You need to find a place for all this, and choosing storage that’s both functional and visually appealing will be key. You can add shelving to the nursery closet, floating shelves to store toys on display, and find open storage units to keep things accessible. 

Remember that once the baby is here, it’ll be a little chaotic; having an organized nursery where everything has its place will be a huge asset. 

Make It Comfortable 

A nursery should be functional and beautiful, but it should also be something else: Comfortable. 

You, your partner, and your baby will be spending plenty of time here, so you want it to be cozy, calming, and comfortable. 

Image source: inmod.com 

Here are a few tips for how to do that:

• Pick a plush rug, which is soft on your feet and good for everything from tummy time and learning to crawl. Machine washable rugs (which you can find with vendors like Ruggable) can be a lifesaver. 
• Find a rocking chair that has great lower-back support and plenty of cushioning for late-night feedings and rockings. 
• Think about adding options for dim lights for late-night feedings and changings. You can find nightlights, for example, or dimmed lamps. 

Add the Final, Decorative Touches 

The details matter and they can transform a general idea into something that feels truly special to you and your baby.

Remember to think about safe and age-appropriate decorations. Blankets, for example, shouldn’t be in the crib until the child is old enough. You can read more about keeping your nursery safe for your infant here, as baby-proofing is always a priority. 

The decorative touches are all up to you, but here are a few good places to start:

• Wall decals are safe to use and can make the room interesting; they can also be removed and changed as the child ages
• Gorgeous, hand-crafted plush baby toys make great decor and can be cherished items of the baby as they grow 
• Hang their name above the crib or somewhere in the room
• Organic baby blankets are a gorgeous detail, though they should be kept out of reach of the newborn when sleeping until they’re old enough
• Nursery wall art, including paintings and graphic prints, to bring it all together 

Final Thoughts 

As long as it’s safe and comfortable, there’s no wrong way to decorate your baby’s nursery. Make it your own, and think about what will bring you and your partner joy. 

Setting up your baby’s nursery is one of the first acts of love you’ll get to embark on for them, so enjoy every second. 

Ready to start decorating your nursery? Shop our nursery decor collection.