Like any room in the home, nurseries are a big decor deal. They're a baby's first room and place where they will spend the earliest years of their lives. They are also one of the best ways for new parents to nest and get ready for the newest family member to arrive. There are tons of nursery ideas to choose from, many are classic ideas, from typical blue or pink or gender neutral rooms to whatever is available in the baby section.
But there are always new nursery ideas out there, and we found lots of non-basic themes or special touches to transform a nursery room from drab to chic. And the best part is that there are multiple ways to execute some of these ideas. Take rainbow theme — it can be muted or bold. Whatever design is in mind, there are ways to customize. Check out some of the ideas below.
Modern
Not all nurseries have to scream "Hey! This is a baby's room!" A modern style nursery like this one from the inspo page of Buy Buy Baby is a way to show off a love for modern design while still making the space suitable for baby. A smart way to get started is with a wooden furniture theme and solid colors.
Crib ($800, Buy Buy Baby)
Rustic
Weddings are full of rustic and country-style themes, so why not extend the love for the theme into a nursery idea? We think it's a good idea and found more inspo from Buy Buy Baby for a rustic farmhouse nursery. The goal is wood furniture, light or dark colors, and furniture that's styled like a traditional barn such as the dresser in the photo.
Wardrobe ($600, Buy Buy Baby)
Muted Rainbow
Rainbows are all the rage with little kids (and even adults, let's be honest) so why not start the rainbow trend when they're young? Like in their nursery. Finding pastel rainbow colors for the blankets and decor items is key. It's all about the accessories. For example, this rainbow puzzle toy is a super cute accessory to feature in the room.
Rainbow puzzle ($7, Etsy)
Boho
Boho is a theme that a lot of adults have as a decor style in their homes. It can also make a chic and calming space for a newborn and young child. It's about wooden decor, muted neutral tones, and relaxing-style accents like cacti or flowy items. This cacti crib mattress cover makes a perfect touch.
Crib cover ($20, Buy Buy Baby)
Outer Space
We're in the year 2020. Gone are the days of plain old sports balls for kids. STEM is a big deal and so important for kids to learn. Why not start with space? A space theme isn't basic and is super fun. Adding prints can transform any room into one with a theme, and these Etsy prints of the planets can complete the look.
Planet prints ($99, Etsy)
Travel
Traveling is a such a huge part of so many people's lives, and of course when things are safe, it will continue to be. Parents will also involve their children on their adventures of seeing the world. They can even start the adventure in the baby's nursery. Prints of different city monuments add a geographical touch while still being appropriate for a nursery.
Travel city prints ($30, Etsy)
Moon & Stars
There's nothing more calming than the moon and the stars, which makes that theme the perfect one to bring into the baby's room. There are tons of ways to incorporate the moon and stars into the room and one of the ways that we found was with adorable star and moon prints with related sayings written inside of them like "Fly Me to the Moon."
Prints ($17, Etsy)
Floral
Floral prints are everywhere. They're popular and chic as a design element, because who doesn't love flowers? It's a soft and feminine way to decorate a room and we're all about it. There's lots of floral accents to include, but a floral wallpaper is a classic way to include the theme in the room and it's fairly inexpensive on Etsy.
Floral wallpaper ($11, Etsy)
Photography
Sometimes the parents' hobbies can be incorporated into nursery themes, even ones that others wouldn't expect. Take photography: There are tons of accessories like wooden camera toys and pictures and images that can be sprinkled around the baby's room to bring the theme together. This toddler camera from Etsy would be easy to work into a room's design.
Camera toy ($27, Etsy)
Llama Chic
Llamas and alpacas are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They're like big dogs. They're fluffy, cute but also kinda funny looking. It's a sweet theme for a baby's room and it's simple to make happen, between photos, accessories, toys, and even mobiles.
Llama mobile ($80, Etsy)
Harry Potter
Millennials loving Harry Potter has become a bit of a punchline for Gen Z-ers, but there is nothing to be ashamed of. Having a Harry Potter nursery is a great way to introduce baby to the magic and can be done in a tasteful way. A bedding set is a simple way to start.
Harry Potter nursery bedding ($43, Etsy)
Reading Is Fun
Reading is something most parents will want they're little one to grow up loving. Inspire a love of books, reading, and libraries with a book-themed nursery. Shelves for books will certainly be the foundation of a reading-themed room.
Shelves ($20, Etsy)
Hello Sunshine
Soft and subtle in any capacity makes for a calming nursery, and that's why we think having a weather or "sunshine" theme is the perfect way to execute it. Think pastel colors and fun accents. We love these rainbow, cloud, and sunshine prints.
Pastel prints ($12, Etsy)
Forest
It's soothing to take a quiet walk through a forest, and though they can't bring a real forest inside the home, parents can recreate a forest in the nursery. Using decals and wallpaper, this theme brings the outdoors in. And it can be just as soothing.
Forest Wall Decals ($14, Etsy)
Polka Dots
Polka dots have been around for decades but they never seem to go out of style. Using polka dots as a nursery theme just makes sense. Wallpaper is an easy way to set the tone of the room, while accent pieces will bring it to life.
Wallpaper ($30, Simple Shapes)
Under the Sea
Gotta love the sea! It's a theme that everyone loves but it can become a cute and tasteful nursery theme, too. It doesn't take much to get the theme going. Just get shades of blue for blankets or bedding and purchase accessories with whales and other sea creatures. This whale storage basket is super cute.
Whale storage basket ($80, Crate & Barrel)
Baby Animals
We couldn't have a nursery idea list without animals. Baby animals to be exact. They will always be a good baby room idea and there are always fun designs and types of animals to choose from.
Baby animal prints ($21, Etsy)
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