Baby Nursery Decorating Ideas

Paint

So much of a growing baby’s time is spent sleeping (at least, a new parent hopes so) that you want the colors of the nursery to be calm and soothing and not overwhelming or stimulating. When selecting a paint, opt for soft pastels, but you can think beyond pale pink and blue. A soft buttery yellow will work for either sex, for instance. Soft green is said to have calming effects, which is supposedly why the backstage waiting area is traditionally called the “green room.” Just keep that sample paint card for whatever color you select. Take the paint sample with you when shopping for bedding and furniture so that you can be sure the colors coordinate.

Decorate with His or Her Name

Once the walls are painted, you’ll want to move on to further decoration. One of the most important things you’ve chosen for a new child is his or her name. Why not feature it prominently in the baby’s room? Spell out the name with wooden letters painted in a shade darker than the walls. You can select a solid serif font for your new “Jacob” or a light-hearted script for “Emma” or jumble different fonts for a playful look. Wooden letters of varying sizes are easily found online or at a local crafts store. Stencil the name directly on the wall, along with decorative elements. “Elizabeth” can be painted on along with swooping stenciled birds. “Liam” can parade along with zoo animal shapes. Make sure that the theme on the wall coordinates with the bedding you have chosen so the room doesn’t overdose on cutesy elements.

Other Decorative Touches

Or, for the more crafty, quilt a wall-hanging that spells out your baby’s full name and date of birth. This will become a keepsake as your child grows. A baby’s room offers more opportunity for fun and whimsy than an adult’s room. If you’re the artistic type, consider decorating one entire wall with a mural. Pandas can frolic amidst stalks of green bamboo. A blue wall provides the backdrop for an undersea world of fish, turtles and octopi. Trees and jungle animals will make a welcome home for any collection of stuffed animals. You can also hire someone to paint such a mural, or with stencils and brushes tackle the project yourself. Kits that include all the necessary stencils are available online.

And, don’t neglect the ceiling! Baby will be spending time staring that way during diaper changes and in the crib. You can paint clouds against a blue sky. You can hang small paper lanterns at intervals. There are even child-themed ceiling fans available for purchase. Select your colors and theme and then carry that through with the bedding. Feature your baby’s name in the wall décor, or go all-out with a mural. Don’t forget to decorate the ceiling as well. And don’t get too attached. This baby’s room will someday soon be a child’s room full of toys and chaos and different decorating choices!