While it may seem like an easy task, don’t underestimate the power of the right paint color. Color can influence your mood and change the vibe of a whole room instantly. But searching through a pile of paint chips hoping you pick the right one often ends in disappointment.
That’s why we’ve chosen the best paint colors for your nursery and narrowed down the exact shades from moms and designers who have already created gorgeous nurseries. There are neutrals, moody dark colors, and subtle hues, all that can grow with your child as their crib turns into a bed and the diapers turn into toys.
1. Calming gray
Neutral nurseries are here to stay, and gray is the perfect paint color for creating a calm, soothing space for your little boy or girl. You likely don’t want to go too dark with your gray, and adding in pops of color and wood accents will personalize and warm up the space.
When searching for the right gray, Benjamin Moore Whitestone Gray has blue undertones, Behr Light French Gray is a classic, lighter option, and Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray is pictured above.
2. Crisp white
These days, nurseries are all about fun details and bold accent walls. While white may have seemed like a boring option before, it’s now a clean backdrop for statement pieces and features. Dark-colored accent walls, often with wood trim or board and batten, are also taking over. On the other walls in the room, you can use Benjamin Moore Crisp Linen or Chantilly Lace.
In this gorgeous room by Design Loves Detail, the mom-to-be used Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee on the walls and Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray on the trim wall- marrying gray and white for this neutral room. Swiss Coffee offers a warm, creamy white without yellow or beige undertones.
3. Understated pink
Many moms are moving away from in-your-face bright pink and instead choosing feminine blushes and peaches that pair well with gold, green, or neutral accents. By choosing a lighter pink, the space feels chicer and has the potential to grow with your child.
There are plenty of understated pink paint options out there, including Benjamin Moore Pink Bliss, Behr Musical Mist, and Benjamin Moore Proposal (pictured above), that has gray and lavender tones.
4. Bold blue
Speaking of accent walls, dark blues are ideal for making a statement on the wall behind your crib, complete with wood trim, wall art or hangings. Decor and accent colors will determine if the space feels feminine, masculine, or neutral.
Behr Blueprint is a deep blue that stops just short of being navy and was the 2019 Color of the Year. Sherwin Williams Naval, used in the space above, is a go-to bold navy that many moms use for feature walls.
5. Gorgeous green
Going with a moody dark green can bring depth and texture to any room, and adding woods and natural greenery keep the space feeling light.
This designer wanted a dark color but didn’t want to commit to the entire wall, and instead chose to balance out Sherwin Williams Woodland Lichen with fresh white board and batten (DIY- with a shelf!).
6. Soothing sage
Know you want green but can’t quite bring yourself to go dark? Sage is a soothing green option that is gender-neutral and in the gray family. It’s light enough that you can choose it for one wall or all four, and you can accent it with beige, peach, gold, or white.
This tranquil room over at Sprucing Up Mamahood features Muted Sage by Behr, a lovely gray-green.
7. Boho beige
It’s hard to go wrong with beige for a calming, neutral space to bring your little one home to. This nursery over at The Greenspring Home features Benjamin Moore Big Bend Beige for a clean, fresh paint color that is brought to life by natural light. Dark room? It will definitely help lighten up the space.
8. Modern rust
Rust is the new yellow, and it works perfectly with wood accents and natural textures. It’s gender-neutral and can grow as your child does- from Insta-worthy nursery to funky play area. This dreamy boho nursery has versatile whites, beiges, and plants to accent the real showstopper- Cavern Clay by Sherwin Williams.
9. Brazen black
Black and white nurseries are taking over, and they’re a bold spin on the neutral trend. For paint colors, check out Off-black by Farrow & Ball or Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams, which is a dark gray that’s not quite black.
We love this nursery designed by Grace in Magnolias, painted with Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams. It’s a room that has been transformed multiple times as the baby grew, always with the modern black shiplap as the centerpiece.
