Designing a nursery is one of the most joyful parts of preparing for a new baby – right up there with folding impossibly tiny laundry. Whether you’re nesting hard or just here for inspiration, this list of nursery ideas gives you the perfect launchpad. From woodland creatures to boho baby, every style here includes decor ideas, color palettes, and design elements that will help you create a space that feels intentional, functional, and downright adorable.
1. Woodland Nursery
Woodland nurseries are wildly popular (pun intended) for good reason – they’re earthy, calming, and gender-neutral without being bland. Stick to natural wood tones, forest green, and taupe, with touches of rust and terracotta. Incorporate animal-themed wall decals (think foxes, deer, owls), and don’t forget a tree mural or leafy wallpaper for full enchanted-forest vibes. Felt garlands, pinecone accents, and a bear-shaped rug can add playful texture.
2. Boho Nursery
A boho nursery is for the free-spirited parent who loves layered textures, macramé, and neutral tones with pops of color. Start with a rattan crib or chair, then bring in woven baskets, tribal-print rugs, and a muted rainbow wall hanging. Earthy palettes – burnt sienna, mustard, dusty rose – give it warmth. Plants (real or faux) and a mix of vintage and handmade pieces keep it feeling cozy and eclectic.
3. Gender-Neutral Nursery
Gender-neutral doesn’t mean colorless or boring. Opt for soft sage, oatmeal, warm gray, or even mustard and navy for a bit more depth. Scandinavian-style furniture, wooden toys, and minimalist wall art work well here. Keep it balanced with warm lighting, soft textiles, and a few personal touches – like framed quotes or your baby’s name in wooden letters.
4. Safari Nursery
A safari nursery is adventurous, playful, and a great excuse to decorate with animals (and no one can stop you). Start with a neutral base and layer in jungle greens, ochre, and sandy beige. Wall art featuring elephants, giraffes, and lions, plus a leafy canopy over the crib, brings the safari theme to life. Don’t forget a stuffed giraffe or a zebra-print pouf to seal the deal.
5. Green Nursery
Green is calming, fresh, and shockingly versatile. Sage, olive, and emerald all work beautifully depending on the mood you’re going for. Pair green walls or wallpaper with natural wood furniture and botanical accents – like leafy decals or palm-printed bedding. Add in gold or brass hardware for a luxe touch, and you’ve got yourself a serene little sanctuary.
6. Butterfly Nursery
A butterfly nursery is all about whimsy and lightness. Choose a soft pastel palette – think blush pink, lavender, and sky blue – paired with delicate butterfly decals or wallpaper. Mobiles with fluttering wings, floral patterns, and lace curtains enhance the ethereal feel. A gorgeous nursery-appropriate chandelier will only add to the theme. Use mirrored or metallic accents to reflect light and make the room feel airy and magical.
7. Modern Nursery
Modern nurseries are sleek, clean, and future-forward without feeling cold. Use a monochrome palette with bold pops – beige and white with mustard, navy, or forest green works well. Go for furniture with clean lines, abstract or geometric prints, and minimal clutter. Floating bookshelves, mid-century modern cribs, and statement lighting keep the design sharp and stylish.
8. Colorful Nursery
If neutrals bore you to tears, a colorful nursery brings all the joy. Mix bold shades like teal, coral, mustard, and aqua for a playful palette. Use color-blocked walls or a mural to create visual interest, then add fun with patterned bedding and funky wall art. Keep furniture warm-to-neutral so the colors don’t overwhelm, and let the accents do the talking.
9. Vintage Nursery
A vintage nursery feels nostalgic and special, like something passed down through generations. Think antique dressers, floral prints, and heirloom toys. Look for Victorian-inspired furniture, crochet blankets, and soft faded tones – rose, ivory, powder blue. Layer in framed vintage prints or postcards, and a soft brass light fixture for an old-world glow.
10. Dinosaur Nursery
A dinosaur nursery is endlessly fun and surprisingly stylish when done right. Use a muted palette – sage green, slate blue, warm brown – to avoid the cartoon overload. Add tasteful dino decals, prehistoric prints, or even a dino-shaped lamp. Incorporate tactile elements like a scaly-texture rug or fossil-inspired art to round out the Jurassic charm.
11. Simple Nursery
A simple nursery is about ease, clarity, and peace of mind. Stick with a tight color palette – white, tan, and soft gray – and limit the decor to the essentials. Clean lines, open shelving, and soft lighting make the space feel calming and clutter-free. Add interest with textures: linen curtains, a wool rug, and a cozy knit throw.
12. Fun Nursery
A fun nursery is designed to spark joy – for baby and for you. Use quirky art, rainbow colors, and statement pieces like a funky rug or patterned ceiling. Try peel-and-stick wallpaper with animals, shapes, or abstract art. The goal: every corner of the room should offer a little surprise or smile.
13. Minimalist Nursery
A minimalist nursery embraces white space, intentional design, and serenity. Stick with a neutral palette and high-quality basics: a simple crib, a rocking chair, and discreet storage. Choose just one or two pieces of art for the walls – preferably abstract or nature-inspired – and let the negative space do the rest. It’s soothing, stylish, and wonderfully low-maintenance.
14. Celestial Nursery
A celestial nursery is dreamy and a little bit magical. Use navy, deep purple, or soft gray for the walls, then layer in starry wallpaper, moon-shaped mobiles, and constellation art. Metallics – gold, silver, or brass – add sparkle without clutter. Glow-in-the-dark ceiling decals or a star projector can turn bedtime into a space adventure.
15. Winnie the Pooh Nursery
A Winnie the Pooh nursery brings timeless charm and storybook warmth. Focus on soft yellows, warm neutrals, and illustrated prints of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. Vintage Hundred Acre Wood maps make beautiful wall art, and plush character toys add cozy texture. A honeycomb bookshelf or bee-themed mobile will pull the whole look together. Having a Pooh-themed baby shower before baby comes? Check out my full obsession with this theme.
