Home Design & Decorating Room Design Kids' Rooms & Nurseries

40 Baby Room Ideas for Decorating a Charming and Functional Nursery

Baby room with green and rust colored color palette decor

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

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 consider baby room ideas that cater as much to parents as newborns, both from an aesthetic and a practical point of view.

Your nursery design should flow with the rest of your aesthetics and decor. It should be a comfortable place for grown-ups to spend time in, too, with a 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 decor that speaks to you.

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

  • 01 of 40

    Add Eclectic Decor

    baby room ideas

    Design by Little Crown Interiors / Photo by David Casas

    This baby room from Little Crown Interiors has a modern eclectic feel and an effortlessly laid back style, with natural tones, a mix of furniture styles, and lighthearted wall decor like an oversized initial and kid-friendly art.

    Continue to 2 of 40 below
  • 02 of 40

    Try a Rainbow Theme

    baby room ideas

    A Beautiful Mess

    A Beautiful Mess created a rainbow-tinted ode to joy in this sweet and simple baby room with a few easy DIY touches that anyone could emulate, like multi-colored painted knobs on the changing table storage drawers.

    A patterned rug with a multi-colored geometric pattern adds a note of sophistication while remaining playful and fun.

    Continue to 3 of 40 below
  • 03 of 40

    Create a Natural Feel

    baby room ideas

    Design by Dale Blumberg Interiors

    In this nursery from Dale Blumberg Interiors, classic Cole & Son black-and-white birch tree wallpaper lines the walls to create a forest feel. An oversized floor lamp and a stuffed giraffe add a touch of whimsy, while a few subtle pops of color on accessories and bedding add warmth to the neutral tones of the room.

    Continue to 4 of 40 below
  • 04 of 40

    Add Geometric Wall Art

    baby room ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    This colorful, dynamic baby room from Chango & Co. includes a geometric wall treatment in luminous shades of blue, green, and coral. A pale wood crib and arched bentwood bookshelf complement the refreshing, soft colors to create an all-around feel-good space.

    Continue to 5 of 40 below
  • 05 of 40

    Incorporate Vintage Pieces

    baby room ideas

    Design by Erin Williamson Design

    In this nursery from Erin Williamson Design, medium-toned gray walls create a calming backdrop for an eclectic assortment of whimsical vintage accessories like a wire hot air balloon-shaped chandelier, a thrift store pirate painting, a stuffed animal trophy head, a vintage rocking chair, and a red Persian-style rug.

    When decorating a nursery, choose timeless accent pieces that can easily transition into a child's room once the crib is swapped out for a bed.

    Continue to 6 of 40 below
  • 06 of 40

    Try a Black-and-White Look

    baby room ideas

    Design by Little Crown Interiors / Photo by David Casas

    Little Crown Interiors used a bold, graphic palette of black and white for this contemporary nursery. The design demonstrates that there is no reason a nursery can't be just as sophisticated as any other room in the house.

    Continue to 7 of 40 below
  • 07 of 40

    Paint the Ceiling

    baby room ideas

    Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

    In this light and airy neutral-toned baby room in shades of taupe and white, Sissy + Marley Interior Design painted a bold striped ceiling to add just the right amount of playfulness and whimsy. The paint treatment helps to bring the high ceilings down a smidgen to make the room feel more cozy.

    Continue to 8 of 40 below
  • 08 of 40

    Add a Romantic Feel

    baby room ideas

    Tuft and Trim

    This romantic nursery from Courtney Davey at Tuft and Trim is filled with traditional vintage-style furniture and lighting. Tree mural wallpaper and a soft pastel blue and white palette creates a dreamy backdrop for the room.

    Continue to 9 of 40 below
  • 09 of 40

    Choose Midcentury Modern

    baby room ideas

    Design by Little Crown Interiors / Photo by Jenna Kutcher

    This nursery from Little Crown Interiors features midcentury modern-style baby furniture including a crib and changing table. The clean lines and rich wood tones flow seamlessly with the style of the rest of the house.

    Continue to 10 of 40 below
  • 10 of 40

    Try an Animal Theme

    baby room ideas

    Design by Liberty Interiors / Photo by Nikole Ramsay 

    Australian interior designer Nicole Rosenberg of Liberty Interiors created a fun, modern animal-themed nursery with graphic wallpaper, framed wall art, natural wood accents, and a mix of white, black and gray tones.

    Continue to 11 of 40 below
  • 11 of 40

    Mix Bold Colors

    baby room ideas

    The House That Lars Built

    Create a bold look in your baby room with a mix of bold and assertive colors. This space from The House That Lars Built includes saturated Kelly green walls, a vintage yellow and orange light fixture, green-and-white checkered curtains, and a checkerboard rug in shades of burgundy and scorching hot pink.

    Continue to 12 of 40 below
  • 12 of 40

    Carve Out a Reading Nook

    baby room ideas

    Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Rica Studio

    Create a cozy reading corner for bedtime stories. In this baby room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design, a dedicated reading corner includes a comfortable upholstered rocking chair, clear acrylic book display wall shelving, a stuffed animal trophy head to define the space, and a faux zebra rug.

    Continue to 13 of 40 below
  • 13 of 40

    Add a Cosmic Element

    baby room ideas

    Design by Leclair Decor

    This cosmic-inspired baby room from Leclair Decor has a simple neutral palette of black and white, patterned textiles, and framed prints of the moon keeping watch over the crib.

    Continue to 14 of 40 below
  • 14 of 40

    Hang Patterned Wallpaper

    baby room ideas

    Design by Becca Interiors

    The baby room in this Hudson River, NY Colonial from Becca Interiors has a vintage feel, with its printed wallpaper, velvet armchair, and aged palette of muted yellows and browns.

    Continue to 15 of 40 below
  • 15 of 40

    Hang a Gallery Wall

    baby room ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    This spacious baby room from Chango & Co. was designed to grow with the child. The designers chose black-and-white wallpaper that creates a dynamic feel and a modern changing table that will easily transition into a dresser.

    A gallery wall of graphic prints anchors low-slung shelving that is perfect for toys now but will last throughout childhood once the toys have been swapped out.

    Continue to 16 of 40 below
  • 16 of 40

    Try a Jungle Book Theme

    baby room ideas

    Design by Kim Gordon Designs 

    This baby room from Kim Gordon Designs looks like a jungle book come to life, with walls covered in vividly illustrated wild animals and lush flora. Natural wood and rattan furniture are a perfect complement that keeps the focus on the animals.

    Continue to 17 of 40 below
  • 17 of 40

    Pair Pink and Orange

    baby room ideas

    Design by Christina Kim Interior Design / Photo by Raquel Langworthy Photography

    The salmon pink ceiling in this nursery from Christina Kim Interior Design creates a warm rosy glow while a bright orange sideboard and geometric pattern rug add punch. The Venetian mirror is the kind of timeless investment piece that will become a signature element of the room as it changes and grows with the child.

    Continue to 18 of 40 below
  • 18 of 40

    Try a Woodland Theme

    baby room ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Talitha Photos

    Cathie Hong Interiors used a soothing palette of green, white, and natural wood tones to create this comfortable modern nursery. Wallpaper sketched with woodland creatures, framed palm prints hanging over the crib, a patterned rug, a comfy armchair, and a bear-shaped hamper add just the right touch of whimsy while maintaining a serene and airy feel.

    Continue to 19 of 40 below
  • 19 of 40

    Stick to Neutrals

    baby room ideas

    Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Lindsay Stetson Thompson

    This nursery from Mindy Gayer Design Co. sticks to a neutral palette of creamy shades of white and soft shades of black to create a serene gender-neutral feel. Plenty of textural elements add softness and interest, from the pompom wall hanging to the round Moroccan rug.

    Continue to 20 of 40 below
  • 20 of 40

    Accent With Bright Yellow

    baby room ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    This light and airy nursery from Chango & Co. has a white-on-white aesthetic that is calming and easy on the eyes. Textural and colorful accents like a neon yellow wall sconce add warmth and personality.

    Keeping the overall baby room white allows you to make small changes like adding colorful accent pieces that have a big impact without renovating the entire space as the baby changes and grows.

    Continue to 21 of 40 below
  • 21 of 40

    Hang Multicolored Wallpaper

    baby room ideas

    Design by Little Crown Interiors / Photo by David Casas

    In this cheerful baby room from Little Crown Interiors, multi-colored confetti wallpaper covers the walls, providing a rainbow of accent color choices to pull from when decorating the rest of the room that can be changed up when the room needs a refresh without starting from scratch.

    Continue to 22 of 40 below
  • 22 of 40

    Choose a Coastal Theme

    baby room ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    One approach to decorating a nursery is to keep the design consistent with the rest of your home's decor, maintaining a sense of cohesion that also makes it easier to adapt the room as time passes.

    In this coastal baby room from Chango & Co., white painted shiplap walls, a curvy overstuffed armchair, light wood crib, and natural woven elements create a fresh and calming space for babies and parents alike.

    Continue to 23 of 40 below
  • 23 of 40

    Channel Barbie Pink

    baby room ideas

    Design by Forbes + Masters

    This theatrical nursery from Forbes + Masters embraces the power of pink, from the bubblegum pink ceiling to the curtains, rug, and bedding. Hints of dark gold add a royal touch, and contrasting gray calms things down a bit.

    Continue to 24 of 40 below
  • 24 of 40

    Choose an Alphabet Rug

    baby room ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photo

    This compact nursery from Cathie Hong Interiors sticks to a clean neutral palette of whites and grays, with pale wood accents, and a few graphic touches on the alphabet rug and illustrated wallpaper, to keep it interesting and playful.

    Continue to 25 of 40 below
  • 25 of 40

    Add Poetic Details

    baby room ideas

    The House That Lars Built

    This baby room from The House That Lars Built has pale robin's egg blue walls, a floating sailboat suspended from the ceiling, and a hand-painted pear tree and little red bird mural in an unexpected corner, the stuff of childhood dreams.

    Continue to 26 of 40 below
  • 26 of 40

    Add Boho Design Touches

    baby room ideas

    A Beautiful Mess

    A Beautiful Mess added boho design touches to this laid back nursery design. The mix includes a patterned rug and wallpaper, a colorful wall hanging, a Moroccan leather pouf, and a tall wicker giraffe keeping watch by the window.

    Continue to 27 of 40 below
  • 27 of 40

    Try a Black Accent Wall

    baby room ideas

    Design by Little Crown Interiors / Photo by David Casas

    In this clean, modern nursery from Little Crown Interiors, a palette of black, white, and gray is softened with pale wood furniture and a touch of greenery. A matte black accent wall adds depth to the room and creates a soothing backdrop for a gallery wall above the crib.

    Continue to 28 of 40 below
  • 28 of 40

    Try a Hand-Painted Mural

    baby room ideas

    Design by AHG Interiors / Photo by Nick Glimenakis 

    In this New York City garden apartment baby room from AHG Interiors, a hand-painted mural featuring animals and hot air balloons adds whimsy and enchantment to an otherwise cookie cutter space.

    Continue to 29 of 40 below
  • 29 of 40

    Choose Landscape Wallpaper

    baby room ideas

    Design by Forbes + Masters

    In this twins' nursery from Forbes + Masters, wrap-around forest scene wallpaper creates a storybook atmosphere that adds whimsy to the neutral-toned space.

    Continue to 30 of 40 below
  • 30 of 40

    Add a Play Tent

    baby room ideas

    Design by Mel Bean Interiors / Photo by Kacey Gilpin

    This baby room from Mel Bean Interiors uses a play of patterns from the wallpapered ceiling to the rug and bedding. Black accents on the windows and around the ceiling border add graphic interest. A black play tent and tassel wall hanging over the crib adds playfulness.

    Continue to 31 of 40 below
  • 31 of 40

    Try Horizontal Stripes

    baby room ideas

    Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Kyle Monk

    In this baby room from Mindy Gayer Design Co., a taupe-and-gray palette includes bold horizontal striped wallpaper that makes the room feel wider and larger.

    Continue to 32 of 40 below
  • 32 of 40

    Lift With Silver Tones

    baby room ideas

    Design by Jules Interiors

    This traditional nursery from Jules Interiors has a tonal palette of pale gray walls and silvery accents that give the space a lift. Framed animal portraits add a touch of whimsy.

    Continue to 33 of 40 below
  • 33 of 40

    Pair Blue and White

    baby room ideas

    Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co.

    This spacious nursery from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has soft blue-and-white printed wallpaper, white textiles, and a baby-sized table and chairs that will come in handy for playtime as the child grows.

    Continue to 34 of 40 below
  • 34 of 40

    Add Southwestern Style

    baby room ideas

    Design by Interiors By McCall

    In this sunny nursery from McCall Dulkys of Interiors By McCall, coral paint on the wainscotting, a natural wood crib, and a tall fate-tempting cactus give the room an easy breezy Southwestern-inspired feel that feels fresh and modern.

    Continue to 35 of 40 below
  • 35 of 40

    Include Soothing Browns

    baby room ideas

    Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Rica Studio

    In this animal-themed baby room from Sissy + Marley Interior Design, animal-themed art, wall sconces, rugs, and toys create a nursery jungle atmosphere rendered in calming sepia tones of brown and white.

    Continue to 36 of 40 below
  • 36 of 40

    Accessorize With a Juju Hat

    baby room ideas

    Design by Leclair Decor

    This neutral-toned baby room from Leclair Decor has an airy feel, with soft gold printed wallpaper, a tall vase of branches, and a white feathered juju hat decorating the wall above the crib.

    Continue to 37 of 40 below
  • 37 of 40

    Create a Minimalist Feel

    baby room ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photo

    This minimalist nursery from Cathie Hong Interiors features soft shades of white and furniture with clean, simple lines. Decorative accents such as framed illustrations, wood toys, and a pink table lamp on the changing table warm the space.

    Continue to 38 of 40 below
  • 38 of 40

    Add Wainscoting

    baby room

    Design by The Posh Home / Photo by Jcqlin Photography

    This simple nursery from The Posh Home features navy painted wainscotting around the lower half of the room, graphic patterned wallpaper on top, and a framed giraffe print hanging over the crib.

    Continue to 39 of 40 below
  • 39 of 40

    Choose Dark Florals

    baby room ideas

    Design and Photo by Centered by Design

    In this baby room from interior Claire Staszak of Centered by Design, dark floral wallpaper in shades of black, pink, and red is paired with crisp white paint, elegant furniture and lighting, and framed ballerina art above the crib to create a sophisticated and refined nursery feel.

    Continue to 40 of 40 below
  • 40 of 40

    Add Wall-Mounted Storage

    baby room ideas

    Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Rica Studio

    Sissy + Marley Interior Design carved an adorable book nook out of a corner of this New York City baby room. A whimsical toy trophy head mounted on the wall defines the space, wall-mounted shelving displays books, and two tiny stools stand by waiting for baby to grow tall enough to use them while looking adorable in the meantime.

What are the must-haves for a baby room?

Must-haves for a baby room include essential furniture such as a crib, changing table, and a rocking chair or glider for feeding and bonding. Add a soft area rug for the baby to play on, sufficient storage, and window treatments such as roller shades and/or curtains to help your baby fall asleep. And don’t forget to decorate the walls with paint, wallpaper, or framed art or decor hung securely on the wall. 

How do you layout a baby's room? 

The layout of your baby's room depends on the proportions and dimensions of the room. Place the crib away from windows whenever possible to keep your baby away from drafts and direct sunlight. Place the rocker or glider close to the crib for a quick transfer once the baby has fallen asleep. Leave as much open floor space as possible so that you and the baby have space to play (don’t forget to add a large soft area rug).

Is a crib or bassinet better for a newborn? 

According to Verywell Family, either a crib or a bassinet is safe for a newborn if you choose one that adheres to current safety regulations and you make sure to follow safe sleep guidelines.