Ah, modern motherhood. You haven’t even had your baby yet, and you’re probably already feeling inadequate. After all, what baby wants to come home to a room that doesn’t have state-of-the-art baby gear, a calming yet stimulating color scheme (mostly neutrals, of course), and handmade decor that costs more than your appliances?
The good news is, your baby literally couldn’t care less. Stick a bassinet next to your bed, buy some diapers, and he will still poop, cry, and (hopefully) sleep. That being said, it is exciting to decorate a nursery or corner of your room, and a little inspiration can help your ideas take shape.
Before you get started, ditch the pressure to make it perfect. You might be on a budget, or design might not be your thing, but you can still create a cute and cozy space for your little guy that makes you both feel happy.
Read on to check out our favorite ideas from moms who have been there.
1. Wave wallpaper
There’s not much that’s trendier than a wallpaper feature wall, and it’s easy to see why. With the blue waves, surfboards, and natural wood accents, this is a space that just might make the late nights feel a little more bearable. The light fixture and rug bring it all together, making it a bedroom that will be cool well past toddlerhood.
2. The super manly accent wall
The designer writes that she channeled “modern boho vibes to create a neutral, casual, and calm space for both mom and baby to enjoy,” and it’s clear that she nailed it. A dark green or blue accent wall with baby’s name and wood trim is everywhere right now, and it feels simultaneously classic and modern. If you want to recreate the look for less, try a dark feature wall and a DIY name sign.
3. Woven accents
This mom put together a sweet nursery nook in their bedroom, and she absolutely made the most of the space she had. The room features gorgeous woven wood furniture, muted rainbow accents, warm golden and orange tones, and of course, one dreamy canopy.
4. Safari with earth tones
The safari theme has stood the test of time, and these natural, earthy vibes really take it up a notch. The patterns, realistic animal art, and deep rust-colored accents will give this space longevity as the baby gets older.
5. Subtly sporty with slack setails
This understated but masculine nursery perfectly blends dark colors with neutrals to create the kind of room you won’t mind spending all night in. Check out the subtle sports decor (no bright orange basketball in here!), black accent wall, and timeless wrought iron crib. That chair, though.
6. Watercolor dots
If you want a nursery that is sweet, simple, and relaxing, check out the pops of whimsy grounded by the clean lines of the furniture. Blue, white, and natural light is a combination that wins every time, and the watercolor dots are a modern twist.
7. Moody cow
This nursery has moody dark colors, pine forest wallpaper, a mushroom ottoman, and what I’m pretty sure is an angry (or at least apathetic) cow. If you’re looking for something a little different and aren’t interested in cutesy or neutral, we’ve got you.
8. Color explosion
There isn’t a detail of this bright and bold nursery that we don’t love. From the all-white crib to the rainbow wall hanging to the colorful shelving, this is a room that’s filled with magical details. The cactus is a fun and unexpected feature, and you can check out the gallery wall over the changing table for similar decor.
9. Baby boy nursery with whales
The standout feature in this nursery is, well, the feature wall. The board and batten, round name sign, and strip of classically simple whale wallpaper is the perfect backdrop for the wooden crib. Add in a plant and a baby, and this space really comes to life.
10. Nature-inspired nursery
While you may not be working with this much space, that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate a nature-inspired nursery for your baby boy. We love the subtle natural touches like the plant, ladder, deer heads, and wall art. The understated paint color, striped rug, and plaid accents create a cozy warmth.
11. Black, white, and basket texture
What’s a great way to warm up a black and white nursery? Natural touches like plants, wooden rods, baskets, and a wicker light fixture. The black hardwoods and alphabet rug make the floors simultaneously masculine and kid-friendly. The feature wall subtly ties all the design elements together without overpowering the room.
12. Buffalo plaid, please
While you may not be working with this much space, that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate a nature-inspired nursery for your baby boy. We love the subtle natural touches like the plant, ladder, deer heads, and wall art. The understated paint color, striped rug, and plaid accents create a cozy warmth.
13. Textured walls
This gorgeously contemporary nursery was recently designed for Hilary Duff’s baby girl but could easily work for any gender. What really stands out is the texture of the room, which you can feel through the picture. The white, fluffy chair and ottoman are to die for (can I get a knock-off?!), and the dark and moody walls are painted with Roman Clay plaster finish.
