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Designing a baby nursery is an exciting journey with lots of possibilities. Do you want whimsical and sweet? Bold and playful? Or something more simple and quaint? While the aesthetics are important, you also want to consider functionality, safety, and longevity. After all, you don’t want to redesign the room in a few years.
While designing the nursery for your baby, you want it to be a place you enjoy spending time in, too. It should be comfortable for grown-ups and calming for both you and your baby.
We cover everything from choosing a theme and a color palette to selecting safe and timeless furniture pieces in this blog. So, pull up a chair (or a rocking chair, if you prefer!), and let’s dive into designing your baby’s nursery.
Before starting on the fun stuff like artwork and wall paint, step back and examine the room you’re working with. Is this space being shared with a sibling? Is there a closet or existing built-ins available for storage? Is there a lot of natural light, or is it limited?
A solid understanding of where you are starting will help you make better decisions to get you where you need to go.
Mosaic 6 Floor Plan, Mosaic Portfolio, Brighton Crossings Community, Brighton, Colorado
Nurseries have three main zones you need to consider for the space to function successfully: areas for sleeping, feeding, and diaper changing. Choosing the right furniture pieces for these zones is essential for your nursery’s design because it’s the foundation of the room. The crib, dresser/changing table, and rocking chair will determine the space’s layout and what other elements can fit into the room.
Opt for sturdy yet stylish pieces that prioritize safety and durability. These pieces should have features like adjustable mattress heights and extra storage solutions to accommodate your evolving needs. A rocking chair offers a cozy spot for late-night feedings, and a practical footrest can double as storage for burp cloths and books.
If you’re unsure if the pieces you love will fit in the room, use painter’s tape to map everything out. This will give you a better idea of how much room you have between large furniture pieces or mapping out wall space for smaller décor, such as rugs, artwork, and shelving.
You can also maximize your space by using furniture that serves double duty. The baby’s dresser can double as a changing table, and your favorite recliner can be moved into the nursery instead of purchasing a brand-new glider.
Unless you’ve been dreaming of your baby’s nursery for as long as you can remember, choosing the overall look and style can feel daunting. If you’re not sure where to start, keep it simple. Start with a neutral base for the furniture, then build on it with accent lighting, wallpaper, artwork, rugs, and textiles.
Addison South Neighborhood, Addison Community, Austin, Texas
Timeless themes like classic Winnie the Pooh or Peter Rabbit evoke a sense of nostalgia and innocence. Soft pastel colors and whimsical artwork create a serene, charming atmosphere perfect for bedtime stories and snuggles.
Nurseries inspired by adventure themes like dinosaurs, outer space, under the sea, or safari ignite curiosity and stimulate the imagination. Playful patterns and themed décor elements such as wall murals or mobiles featuring planets, ocean creatures, or jungle animals are visually appealing and fun for your little one.
Bring the outdoors inside with nature-inspired elements such as woodland creatures, garden elements, or floral motifs. Earthy tones, natural materials like wood and wicker, and botanical prints create a calming and organic environment that fosters a connection with the natural world.
Residence 3 Floor Plan, Luna Collection, The Landing at Tustin Legacy Community, Tustin, California
If you’re worried about your child outgrowing a theme too quickly, focus on how you want the room to feel instead. Create a room that is calming and organic, or go sleek and sophisticated for an upscale vibe.
Embrace simplicity and functionality with a minimalist nursery design characterized by clean lines, neutral colors, and uncluttered spaces. Opt for multifunctional furniture pieces and minimalist décor accents to create a serene and calming environment that fosters relaxation.
Infuse your baby’s nursery with bohemian flair by embracing eclectic patterns, vibrant colors, and global-inspired décor elements. Mix and match textiles, layer rugs, and incorporate handmade or vintage pieces for a free-spirited style.
Create a sleek, sophisticated nursery with modern and contemporary design elements featuring clean lines, bold accents, and a monochromatic color palette. Choose sleek furniture with metallic accents and geometric patterns to achieve a chic look that is both timeless and on-trend.
Residence 7 Floor Plan, Terra Collection, The Landing at Tustin Legacy Community, Tustin, California
After you’ve decided on a theme or overall vibe for your nursery, you might have a color palette that you know will work best with it. If you’re unsure, pastel colors, such as pale pink, soft green, or warm yellow, will create a warm and cozy environment. To give the illusion of more space, consider neutral colors, such as white, beige, or gray, that will reflect natural light.
If you’re worried about choosing a theme and color palette that is too over-the-top, you can always opt for neutral paint paired with simple décor to create a room your child can age into (which can save you some money in the long run!).
Carlisle 2 Floor Plan, Laned Collection, Livingston Community, Calgary, Alberta
Your baby’s nursery should be a cozy, comfortable space that (hopefully) encourages sleep. Choosing soft and safe textiles for crib bedding, curtains, and rugs can improve the room's look and functionality.
A plush rug adds flair to the space and cushion underneath as your little one learns to sit, crawl, and walk around. Choose a durable material, such as wool or shag, that can stand up to stains, or find a washable rug.
A dark and quiet nursery is essential in helping your baby sleep, and choosing the proper window treatment can make or break it. Choose blinds, shades, or curtains with a blackout effect to help keep out sunlight or street lamps. A cordless window treatment is the safest option and keep the crib, changing table, and other nursery furniture away from windows.
Woven baskets are a great way to add texture and can double as storage for diapers, crib sheets, or toys. Use a nice neutral for an organic look, or find a cute design that ties into your nursery theme.
While you may be tempted to add stuffed animals and cozy blankets into your nursery, keep them out of your baby’s crib until they are at least 12 months old.
Don’t underestimate the importance of lighting in a nursery. 3 AM feedings are hard enough and even harder when your only option is a harsh overhead light. Just as you would in any other space, you want to layer your lighting and choose the right fixtures to maximize functionality.
During the day, maximize the amount of natural light to create a bright and cheerful atmosphere and regulate your baby’s sleep-wake cycle. Install dimmable lights to adjust the brightness levels for different tasks and times of the day. Nightlights provide a soft, comfortable glow that makes navigating the room at night easier without any unnecessary brightness.
Finlay Floor Plan, Duplex Collection, Chappelle Gardens Community, Edmonton, Alberta
Your baby’s nursery is technically their space, but you’ll spend a lot of time there, too! Your newborn won’t care what their room looks like until they're older, so go ahead and add decorative pieces that you love.
Elements like wall decals, artwork, mobiles, and rugs add personality and charm while stimulating the baby’s senses. Houseplants can help purify the air in a room, making them especially great in nurseries. Adding a non-toxic, low-maintenance plant to your baby’s room will help keep the air clean and create an overall serene ambiance.
Babies are on their backs often, and it’s more interesting to have wallpaper applied to the ceiling. Doing so infuses an element of playfulness without being over the top and may keep them distracted during diaper changes. If you like going bold but fear the commitment, go with removable wallpaper or wall decals that you can change out as the baby grows.
While it may be tempting to buy and incorporate every décor piece that matches your theme, resist the urge to overdecorate or accessorize to help keep the room calm for baby and easy to maintain for you.
Mosaic 5 Floor Plan, Mosaic Portfolio, Barefoot Lakes Community, Firestone, Colorado
You can make your nursery the prettiest room in your house, but you’ll love it even more if it’s functional. Babies have a lot of stuff – diapers, wipes, ointments, clothes, books, and toys. Creating thoughtful storage solutions keeps everything organized and easy to find no matter what time of day you need it.
Clear storage bins can help keep things like toys, blocks, and books neat, tidy, and visible. Closet dividers can organize your baby’s clothes by size, keeping their current outfits in rotation and making the next size easy to find. A multifunctional ottoman with hidden storage can keep bedtime books within reach but out of sight.
Wall shelves are great for storing items you want nearby but want to keep out of the baby’s reach. In addition to being functional, shelves offer a great place to add items to warm up the ambiance, such as a plant or small stuffed animal.
The best nursery you can design is a safe one. Children are naturally curious and love to explore, so it’s crucial to create a safe environment for them to do so.
Make sure furniture is securely anchored, and cords are safely tucked. Maintain space around the crib to keep any potential hazards out of reach from your baby. Diaper cream on the changing table or curtains within reach can quickly become dangerous.
Check product labels for harmful chemicals to avoid toxic materials. Make sure your furniture meets the latest safety standards and review any recent product recalls before making a purchase.
Check out our blog for additional baby-proofing tips for your home!
Skyline Park Neighborhood, Easton Park Community, Austin, Texas
Unless you don’t mind redecorating every few years, keep your nursery design flexible enough that it can grow throughout their childhood. Choose timeless elements for staples like window coverings and overhead lighting so that the room can still work for tweens and teens with a few changes in furniture, art, and accessories.
Convertible furniture, like a crib that transforms into a toddler and full-size bed and a changing table that also works as a dresser, is a budget-friendly way to design with longevity in mind.
Try and find the balance between whimsical and transitional. It’s a kid’s room, so you want to have elements of fun and playfulness but also a design that will grow with your child. Neutral colors can easily be updated with new accessories as your child’s design style evolves. After all, you two just met – getting to know each other takes time!
Cadence 5 Floor Plan, Cadence Portfolio, Midtown Community, Denver, Colorado
Creating a beautiful, safe, and functional nursery is a fun journey that sets the backdrop of precious memories and moments to come with your little one. The key is to blend aesthetics with functionality, ensuring every element serves a purpose while contributing to a serene and welcoming atmosphere.
If your family needs more room, let us help you find your new home! Explore where we build and connect with our sales team when you’re ready to learn more. We’ll be expecting you!