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40 Baby Room Ideas for Decorating a Nursery That's Unique

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 08/26/22

Design by Kim Gordon Designs 

Designing a nursery is a fun project for expectant parents that can be as simple or elaborate as you care to make it. While the ultimate goal of any nursery design is to create a safe, welcoming, tranquil spot for your baby to sleep, play, and grow, it's important to remember that a baby room is as much for parents as it is for newborns, both from an aesthetic and a practical point of view.

While you can decorate a nursery in any style that you want, keep in mind that in the end it's just another room in your house, and should flow with the rest of your aesthetics and decor, and be a comfortable place for grown-ups to spend time in, too, with a comfortable chair for nursing and bonding, adequate storage, and a changing table that takes some of the sting out of that relentless chore. Most of all, a nursery should put a smile on your face, with colors, details, and decor that speaks to you.

Check out these inspiring ideas in a range of sizes and styles to help you create the baby room of your dreams that your newborn will surely grow to love.

26 Cute Nursery Decorating Ideas

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

You'll spend many late nights in this room, so make it cute and comfy.

By Hadley Mendelsohn

Paige Rumore

It's never too early to appreciate good design, which is why we're making a case for decorating the nursery with some fabulous designer ideas in mind. Plus, this is probably one of the last times you can call all the decorating shots before they hit that threenager stage and have opinions on everything. Jokes aside, the nursery is your baby's first home. And the space that welcomes them into the world should boast an inviting, calming, and fun atmosphere full of wonder. Of course, your baby's room also needs to be functional and comfortable for everyone who uses it. So allow the following twenty unique nursery ideas, examples, and tips to ease and guide your own decorating process—classic pastels, unexpected neutrals, and modern interpretations ahead.

Jonny Valiant

1 of 26

Choose an Artful Mobile

Interior designer Devin Kirk decorated his family's Chicago apartment in a way that allows for growth and embraces change, so he opted for a modern and mature nursery design that still feels playful. Black and white striped wallpaper create a visual link to the rest of the home and feel both youthful and polished. The mobile doubles as modern art.

REID ROLLS

2 of 26

Incorporate Cozy Textures

Cozy textures, warm neutrals, and tons of natural light were the focus of this nursery that designer Leanne Ford created in her own home. All the furniture is a mix of vintage items and pieces from her collection with Crate & Kids.

Tasmin Johnson

3 of 26

Choose a Fun Light

In this baby's room designed by Tasmin Johnson, the timeless pieces—like the ottoman and chair set, framed photographs, and traditional dresser—give the room a refined edge that will age well. To balance it out, she chose a whimsical pendant light.

Heidi Caillier

4 of 26

Think About How You'll Use It in the Future

Heidi Caillier used an unexpected color scheme in this nursery but kept all the furniture and textiles traditional for a balanced whole. The mix of patterns dazzles the eye enough to enchant a baby but will surely age nicely and work well in an older kid's room or as a home office, should the family decide to repurpose the space later.

JOHN STOFFER

5 of 26

Channel Nature

Designer Jean Stoffer says painting the ceiling and walls the same color "is a way to really level up your design." Here, she opted for a deep forest green tone that plays up the view of trees outside and makes for the perfect place to slumber (a must in a nursery). The pocket door doesn't eat into the floor space and makes checking in on your little one easier.

Tamsin Johnson Interiors

6 of 26

Give It An Edge

Modern lighting and a crisp gold and white color scheme make this nursery designed by Tamsin Johnson feel decidedly modern, but the classic molding, hardwood floors, and dramatic curtains give it a flair of old-world royalty.

Ngoc Minh Ngo

7 of 26

Work With What You Have

Designer David Kaihoi transformed this one-bedroom apartment into a family home, so if you're looking for small-space solutions and need to share a room with your young child, look no further. This little trundle bed tucks right back under the bed when it isn't in use, "first thing in the morning," says Kaihoi. And they use that windowsill as a bedside table.

Heidi Caillier

8 of 26

Install Floor-to-Floor Carpeting

Floor-to-floor carpeting is a great way to help absorb sound and also give your feet a soft landing, perfect for a cozy nursery. Designer Heidi Caillier also opted for matching curtain and lampshade fabric and wallpaper in a romantic print, which only adds to the sweetness of the space. An antique pendant is a timeless cherry on top.

Mali Azima

9 of 26

Step Away From Pastels

"I love to do nurseries that avoid motifs and color palettes that a baby can outgrow in a few short years," designer Janie Molster says of this bright and fun nursery.

Thomas Loof

10 of 26

Look at It From Baby's Perspective

Ashley Whittaker played with an arboreal theme throughout this ranch-style home, so she continued following that thread in the nursery with Brunschwig & Fils tree-printed wallpaper, but chose a soothing blue-gray color scheme for a twist. The shiny painted ceiling looks like a happy, expansive sky, which is the perfect thing for a baby to see when he or she looks up.

Marie Flanigan Interiors

11 of 26

Invest In Ageless Furniture

Contained by gold-leaf borders, the flowers climbing up the walls of designer Marie Flanigan's newborn daughter's room are actually mural wallpaper. Today, the daybed is "a cozy spot for late-night feedings, but one day it'll be her big-girl bed, with a trundle for sleepovers," the Houston designer says. Stylish, ageless, multi-purpose furniture is always a good investment.

Paige Rumore

12 of 26

Ignite the Imagination

"There's a hidden door in the nursery that goes into a
portion of the master closet so that you have direct access to the master. Perfect for a late-night run to the nursery," says the designer behind this home, April Tomlin. Practical genius aside, the shapes and motifs inspire whimsy.

PHOTO: Matthew Williams; DESIGN: Studio DB

13 of 26

Dress Up the Changing Table

Studio DB transformed this corner into a happy, practical changing station by framing it with a cheerful gallery wall , floating shelves, and plush animal mount. Opt for a changing table with drawers instead of open shelves to tuck away unsightly essentials and anchor the space with a neutral yellow hue.

Chango & Co

14 of 26

Pick Fun Furniture

In this adorable nursery designed by Chango & Co, the lucite shelving unit is shaped like a dollhouse. There are so many fun options out there that can make even something ordinary (in this case, a shelving unit), into something exciting and inspiring.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Amber Interiors

15 of 26

Choose an Interesting Crib

Your crib doesn't have to be plain white or wood. We're loving the modern black border of the crib in this nursery designed by Amber Interiors. The layers of plush rugs, whimsical wallpaper, and ceiling-high linen curtains soften up the space. But most importantly, never underestimate storage in a nursery. Baskets and bins are a good option and can be repurposed as the child grows.

NATHAN SCHRODER

16 of 26

Bring In Two Gliders

Photographer Gray Milan and his husband Jeff Richardson have two glider sin their nursery suite. This way, there's story time is a family affair. If space allows, bring in two rocking chairs or slide up an extra stool—it's particularly handy for parents of twins.

NATHAN SCHRODER

17 of 26

Opt for Durable Upholstery

This is baby Dove's room in Malin's nursery suite. His pro tip? Upholster your furniture in outdoor fabric or other spill-proof material so it looks like new for longer. A daybed can double as a bed for overnight guests and a place to perch while the kids play.

Fran̤ois Dischinger

18 of 26

Be Bold With Color

We're digging the use of vibrant, unexpected colors in this nursery designed by Steven Sclaroff. The green background of the wallpaper still feels youthful thanks to the whimsical pattern, and the orange-red carpet adds a surge of energy. The classic armchair and dresser are also going to deliver function and style to the family home for years to come.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Amber Interiors

19 of 26

Install a Little Library

Step story time up a notch by adding a little floating shelf library to display all their favorite bedtime books on. Designed by Amber Interiors, the collection of books doubles as decor, animating the white walls.

Cameron Rupert

20 of 26

Bring In Cute Storage Pieces

Keep blankets and towels easy to access with an etagere, a storage ladder, or a towel warmer. In this nursery designed by Cameron Ruppert Interiors, the wood towel rack adds a classic touch while also giving the pretty blankets more time to shine out in the open.

PHOTO: David Tsay; DESIGN: Emily Henderson

21 of 26

DIY the Walls

Use stenciled wallpaper (or even try out your #skills and paint them on yourself) for a whimsical wall covering. By Emily Henderson Design, this nursery's animal theme makes it feel like a circus without being visually chaotic.

Studio DB

22 of 26

Add a Gallery Wall

Studio DB perked up the wall behind the crib with fun photographs of sheep (hopefully they'll also bring good luck with pleasant dreams and plenty of sleep). You could also add some sentimental value by creating a gallery wall of family photos.

PHOTO: Emery Davis; DESIGN: Madre

23 of 26

Incorporate Personal Touches

In this adorable room designed by Mia Brous and Kerri Goldfarb of Madre, everything feels as unique as it does functional (not always the easiest balance to strike!). The stool makes lounging comfier, but it also adds a fun personal touch with the child's name on it. We're also loving the color scheme in this room. Their clients wanted a happy bright space, so the designers "decided to go bold with coral. Orange undertones keep it from veering too pink."

24 of 26

Repurpose a Dresser

If you're on a super tight budget, don't splurge on on new items before you've exhausted what you already have. In this space, Emily Henderson transformed an existing dresser into a changing table by placing a changing pad on it.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Emily Henderson

25 of 26

Lighten the Mood

These soft pink-and-white walls give the room a warm, comforting rosy flow without being overwhelming and dominating the room. Keep the rest of the decor simple and neutral, so the room feels like a relaxed retreat. Emily Henderson brought in a nature-inspired accents and traditional staples to round out the space.

Chango & Co.

26 of 26

Install Sconces

Free up tabletops and surface spaces by installing sconces instead of using table lamps. We love the yellow one in this space designed by Chango & Co—it really brightens up the walls.

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Elder Son's Bedroom

LSD Bureau

A room for an older student son, more like an office.
Photo of a medium sized contemporary nursery with medium parquet flooring, wood ceiling and paneled walls

Ego-dom

Indesign Buro

Fresh design idea: a huge fusion nursery with work space in pink walls, medium parquet floors and brown floors for a girl - great interior photo

Children's area in a country house

OVO studio

Photo of a neutral medium-sized children's room in a modern style with a workspace, multi-colored walls, beige floors and wallpaper on the walls for a child from 1 to 3 years old

Apartment of the sun

BILBAO Design interior design studio

Photo of a medium-sized neoclassical (modern classic) nursery with a bed, multi-colored walls, beige floors and wallpaper for a teenager, girls from

Heritage project

insdesign. ru

Design idea: a large children's room in a modern style with a bed, gray walls and a beige floor for a teenager, a boy

BE_Nekrasova

Elena Bunak

neoclassical (modern classic) with sleeper, green walls, medium parquet floors and brick walls for teenager, boy

Sponsored

Düsseldorf

Raum, Wunder & SchönAverage rating: 5 out of 5 stars Reviews: 10

Düsseldorf I Einrichtungsberatung aus Leidenschaft

Neoclassical apartment

Archigram (Evgenia Knyamyzheva's studio)

comfortable arrangement of furniture for several children, so that the room will grow with the number of inhabitants. ?From the room there is an exit to a large glazed balcony, which contains a working area for lessons and a sports corner, which customers will complete in the process of growing up children. ?On the wall, we originally planned a different plot, but the hand-painted in the form of a map of the world turned out even better than we planned. nine0007

Rosemary Residential Complex

Anastasia Kovalchuk

Design idea for a medium-sized neoclassical (modern classic) nursery with a bed, blue walls, light parquet floors and beige floors for a child aged 4 to 10, a boy

Sponsored

Düsseldorf

Raum, Wunder & SchönAverage rating: 5 out of 5 stars 10 reviews0006 Original design example: Large Rustic Nursery with Bed, Beige Walls, Medium Parquet Flooring, Yellow Flooring, Beamed Ceilings and Wooden Walls for a Teen Boy

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Country house kids zone

OVO studio

Pictured: Neutral medium sized nursery in modern style with work space, colorful walls, beige floors and wall papers for 1 to 3 year olds

Neoclassical apartment

Archigram (Evgenia Knyazheva's studio)

?At the design stage, we immediately made all the working drawings for a comfortable arrangement of furniture for several children, so that the room will grow with the number of inhabitants. ?From the room there is an exit to a large glazed balcony, which contains a working area for lessons and a sports corner, which customers will complete in the process of growing up children. ?On the wall, we originally planned a different plot, but the hand-painted in the form of a map of the world turned out even better than we planned. nine0007

Apartment in the historical center of St. Petersburg

oneione interiors

The older child's nursery was originally conceived as a bright bold space with a wave-shaped ceiling, designer furniture and lots of bright accents. However, due to the high cost of the proposed solutions, it was decided to furnish the nursery with ready-made solutions. It turned out to be a creative space for the growth, creativity and multilateral development of the child. Above the bed there is an accent perforated panel, to the left of it there is a climbing wall, a large toy rack at the entrance and a work desk by the window. nine0007

Seasons

iPozdnyakov Studio

Designer: Ivan Pozdnyakov Foto: Alexander Volodin
Design idea: Scandinavian-style nursery with multi-colored walls, light-colored parquet floors and beige floors for a child from 1 to 3 years old, a boy

Apartment in residential complex "Domashny"

Maria Rodionovskaya | Architectural bureau "ON Plane"

In the children's room, a yellow cabinet from Ikea, which was searched for half a year on all sites, since by the time of repair it was out of production, perfectly coexists with the author's furniture designed by the architect's sketches. On a low window-sill tabletop, you can arrange knightly battles or watch departing trains and sunsets. The furniture in the bedroom is made to order according to the sketches of the architect. Stylist: Tatyana Gedike Photo: Sergey Krasyuk

Sweet home

Maria Lutsenko (MY YO Design)

Room for two kids aged 2 and 4.
In the photo: a large neutral children's room in a modern style with a sleeping place, multi-colored walls, light parquet floors and beige floors for a child from 1 to 3 years old

apartment on Rublevskoe shosse loft style bed with laminate flooring, gray floors and white walls for a child aged 1 to 3, a boy from

Bolshoy residential complex

Ksenia Lysenko

A source of inspiration for home comfort: a modern-style nursery with a sleeping place, pink walls, dark parquet floors, brown floors and wallpaper on the walls for a child from 1 to 3 years old, girls

Fresh new look to rambler home

Very Red Design

Fresh design idea: neoclassical (modern classic) medium size playroom with white walls and light parquet floors for a child from 1 to 3 years old, girls - great interior photo nine0007

| G | Lit cabane

Agence Sulsul !

Un projet évolutif pouvant accueillir un lit bébé puis un lit enfant, pour que chacun puisse grandir dans son propre espace. Les couleurs de la réalisation finale ont évoluée pour correspondre aux envies de clients.

Hantverkaregatan

Fotograf Pouline Gernes

barnrum
Design ideas for a scandinavian nursery with pink walls, light parquet floors, a bed and beige floors for a 1-3 year old girl

Esprit Campagne Chic

MIRABEL STUDIO

Stylish design: Scandinavian style nursery with bed, pink walls and exposed beams on the ceiling for 1 to 3 year old girls - the latest trend

Bornty & Bred Studio - Pretty Floral Nursery, Muswell Hill, London

Born & Bred Studio

Born & Bred Studio - Pretty Floral Nursery, Muswell Hill, London
A fresh design idea: a medium-sized modernist nursery with a bed, pink walls and light parquet floors for a child from 1 to 3 years old, girls - great interior photo

Westwood Park, San Francisco

Refined Interiors

Photo: Nick Klein © 2022 Houzz
Inspired by a small, neutral neoclassical (modern classic) playroom with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floors for a child from 1 to 3 years old

DC Study Nook & Playroom

grOH! Playrooms

An example of the original design of a modern neutral playroom with white walls, light parquet floors and beige floors for a child from 1 to 3 years old

South End Playroom

Sage Conti Design

Stylish design: neutral neoclassical (modern classic) playroom with white walls, carpet and beige floors for a 1 to 3 year old child - the latest trend

Cameretta Montessori Piazzale Clotilde

Mariana Martini

In questa #cameretta #montessori abbiamo il letto all'angolo così il bimbo si sente più protetto e il fasciatoio lontano dalla finestra, sempre. La poltrona di allattamento va di fianco al letto e attaccato a questa va il tavolino per appoggiare il bicchiere d'acqua per l'idratazione. Il corridoio libero in centro è per la sicurezza di non inciampare con il bimbo in braccia e anche per diventare un luogo per giocare quando si cresce. Questa cameretta è per una bimba, la scelta di colore è stata apposta perché non volevamo il classico rosa vs blu. Mi lasci un commento se la spiegazione è stata utile per te

NJ Country House - Modern Farmhouse Boy's Bedroom

Curated Nest

An out of this world, space-themed boys room in suburban New Jersey. The color palette is navy, black, white, and grey, and with geometric motifs as a nod to science and exploration. The sputnik chandelier in satin nickel is the perfect compliment! This large bedroom offers several areas for our little client to play, including a Scandinavian style / Montessori house-shaped playhouse, a comfortable, upholstered daybed, and a cozy reading nook lined in constellations wallpaper. The navy rug is made of Flor carpet tiles and the round rug is New Zealand wool, both durable options. The navy dresser is custom. Photo Credit: Erin Coren, Curated Nest Interiors

Los Altos New Residence

Klopf Architecture

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house.

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