15 Dreamy Baby Girl Nursery Ideas to Make Your Little One Feel Right at Home
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For expectant parents, nesting at home as you prepare for your new addition can be exciting. Coming up with baby girl nursery ideas, baby boy nursery designs, or gender-neutral spaces can also leave your head spinning: What theme should you settle on? What color palette is best? Will that trendy wallpaper you love still have your heart in a year?
Your newborn daughter can’t exactly weigh in with her design preferences, so interior decorators encourage parents to have a ball embracing their own aesthetic ideals when contemplating baby girl nursery ideas. “Nurseries are such a fun design challenge because you are creating a space where amazing memories will take place,” says Hillary Cohen, principal and founder of the New Jersey firm HCO Interiors. And when it comes to gendered styles, gone are the days of pink for baby girls being the only option; now, Cohen says, we see a medley of design ideas that suit both traditional preferences, modern styles, and beyond. Ahead, Cohen and other design pros share baby girl nursery ideas to make you swaddle and swoon.
What is the most important advice for designing your baby girl’s nursery?
Whether you’re on the lookout for small nursery ideas or twin nursery ideas, the most essential thing to keep in mind when designing a baby girl nursery (or any nursery for that matter) is to do what you like. “There are no strict rules. Nursery design is a beautiful opportunity for self-expression,” says New York interior designer Lindsay Falconer of Lindsay Falconer Design. “Trust your instincts about how you envision your child playing and thriving in the space,” she adds, stressing that above all, you should focus on creating an inviting and fun atmosphere that reflects your dreams for your little one rather than sticking to traditional color palette norms or styles. Ultimately, designing your baby girl nursery is about crafting a joyful environment where your child can explore and grow.
Falconer says she’s seeing a wide range of baby girl nursery ideas that go from “more sophisticated nurseries with French Provincial antiques to very playful, fantastical nurseries with vibrant colors and fun furniture.” If it speaks to you, go all in.
What color palettes are best for baby girl nurseries?
Many designers these days agree: preferences for baby girls’ nurseries have changed over the years, with pink no longer being the only color option. “We’re starting to see deeper colors used for girls’ spaces, like rose, dark mauve, and rust brown. Slate blue and deeper greens are also being used a lot, as well as lavender and some purple tones,” says Naomi Coe, founder of the Orange County, California–based Little Crown Interiors. Though, overall, Coe admits that pink is still in heavy usage by her clients—so if you love pink, by all means, think pink.
Some designers prefer more muted tones for nurseries. In general, Cohen is partial to a soft color palette for an infant’s first space. For her own daughter’s nursery, she opted for soft blue walls with pops of purple and other accent colors to punctuate.
What are some current baby girl nursery design trends?
What’s old is new again: Homeowners are turning to antique-inspired pieces to add some character to baby girl nursery spaces, per Cohen, as the idea of blending modern design with some traditional elements is becoming more mainstream. Coe is similarly seeing parents embrace classic accents, like Jenny Lind furniture from Crate & Kids, scalloped edges, and more ornate details, like formal drapery and textiles, in nursery design. “Parents are looking to incorporate whimsy and charm into their nurseries with heirloom pieces and hand-me-downs as well,” she adds.
Cohen also reports seeing “personality” return to nursery design, which the New Jersey–based designer calls “refreshing.” According to Cohen, the neutral and beige interiors that have been so popular are fading out and being replaced with color-drenched spaces. If you love neutrals, don’t sweat it; Coe says the most important thing when brainstorming baby girl nursery ideas is to pick a color palette you adore. Plenty of families still opt for neutral nursery palettes, she says, mostly because that color scheme aligns with their home decor.
Another popular request? Wallpaper, which Cohen calls a favorite for nurseries as it adds “so much texture and depth to a space.”
How can I make my nursery more parent-friendly?
“In nursery design today, there’s a thoughtful shift toward creating spaces that nurture both baby and caregiver, blending moments of whimsy with a serene, adult-friendly atmosphere,” says Alexis Banks Humiston, owner and creative director of ABH Interiors in San Francisco. (Hallelujah!)
Per Banks Humiston, today’s nurseries often include elements like warm lighting, uncluttered organization, and personal touches that make the room enjoyable for both parents and infants. She says that focusing on this component of baby girl nursery design helps to provide parents with a setting for joyful bonding with their little ones—an especially important point to consider when taking postpartum wellness into account.
How can we design a stylish baby girl nursery with a tiny footprint?
For those working with tight quarters, fear not: “Nurseries really do not require much furniture aside from a crib, changing table, and chair, so small size is no problem,” says Falconer, who believes that small nursery ideas provide a big opportunity to go bolder with design choices—say, painting the walls a bold color or going for a statement wallpaper. In terms of colors, Jennifer Press, founder of Press Interiors in New York City, recommends keeping your color choices light, “but still colorful and happy.” Small spaces can feel even smaller if the walls are heavily saturated or too dark, Press says.
In some ways, working with a small nursery space may be simpler than designing more sprawling digs. “Since nurseries do not require many furnishings, it is easier to really be mindful and take your time when selecting each piece,” Falconer says. “There are so many great nursery furniture designers now, so I think it is really important to choose unique pieces for a small space instead of just a standard white crib.”
Additionally, when furnishing a small nursery space, invest in pieces that do double duty. Tara Engelberg (owner of Tara Felice Interiors in Memphis), Banks Humiston, and Cohen share the following ideas to maximize design in tiny nursery spaces:
- Look for adaptable furniture, like dressers that double as changing tables, ottomans, and small bedside tables that you can use to store toys.
- Embrace petite-size furniture. Use a smaller rocking chair for feedings if a large glider isn’t an option. A bassinet or mini crib can be perfect for the first few months.
- Don’t overlook the area under the crib. Drawer units can slide in and out for easy access.
- If your baby girl nursery has a decent-size closet, build in drawers so that you don’t have a large dresser taking up floor space. Place hanging shelves or shoe racks on the inside of closet doors to store essentials.
- To open up wall space, place an oval-shaped crib in the center of the room, creating an airy feel where the baby is always within reach.
- Consider vertical storage solutions: Keep books on wall-mounted shelves when the floor-space situation is challenging. Or use labeled bins in shallow bookshelves to store clothing, toys, and essentials like first aid supplies neatly—ideally positioned near a diaper changing pad and station for easy access. You can also create small wall recesses (similar to a shower niche) to store baby products.
Regarding built-in shelving and cabinets, Press believes these storage fixtures are the best way to take advantage of a small space. “It often seems counterintuitive, but built-ins will allow the floor space for play to be more open and flexible,” she says.
Last but certainly not least, remember safety is paramount in your baby girl’s nursery (in all spaces, of course, but small spaces may require additional considerations). “The crib needs to be placed safely, but if a full-size crib won’t fit, there are some great options for mini cribs and bassinets that can be used as well,” Coe says.
How can I make our baby girl nursery seem feminine without pink everything?
“If [you’re] looking to have a feminine nursery for your baby girl without being overly girly, there are tons of sweet and precious ways to achieve this,” Press says. To pull it off, Press and Davis advise incorporating some or all of the following into your girl nursery game plan:
Bobble-style cribs are playful and feminine. If you’re opting for a Scandinavian or more contemporary atmosphere, where the furniture will appear more gender-neutral, incorporate feminine accents through the area rug, decorative accessories, wall art, and the window treatments. For example, features with a cute tassel or beaded fringe can help achieve the look in a more subtle way.
Paint always reads more saturated when up on the walls than it does in a small sample, so if you’re doing a classic pink or purple on the walls, opt for a lighter color with neutral undertones so it doesn’t read as jarring or pedestrian. For a splash of femininity, you can also install fun wallpaper on the ceilings, since babies sleeping on their backs have something to look up to.
Try feminine accents that aren’t predictably girly. For example: Play up a girly theme with textiles and shapes instead of furniture and wallpapers or wall colors, like a butterfly mobile or mural in a neutral color or a scallop-edged rug, which feel feminine but less rigid and overt. Add a splash of whimsy with uniquely shaped pillows and classic cloth dolls on the bed to nod to the playful girly vibe more casually.
What are some twin nurseries or shared kid bedroom ideas?
If space is in super short-supply—in that two kids of different genders might have to share a room—Press prefers to keep the palette and the theme gender-neutral (e.g., jungle or ocean motifs over gardens and princesses.)
To define specific areas of the room, try sectioning with drapes. “Consider using drapes to create zones; they can take up less space than doors that need to swing back against a wall,” says Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis, based in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
Photo: Linda Pordon1/15Fashion your nursery design around artwork
A painting, framed photograph, or mobile can be the perfect jumping off point for your entire nursery. The space pictured here was inspired by the timeless framed set of floral artwork hanging above the crib, says Trish Lynn, who is the founder and principal designer at Colette Interiors in Chatham, New Jersey. “This was artwork the homeowner had intended for the space from the beginning,” says Lynn of this driving vision for the space.
Photo: Ethan Herrington2/15Short on space? Make a micro-nursery
In order to create this “micro-nursery,” Falconer and her team erected a temporary pressurized wall. “Since the space was so small, I really wanted to make it high on design and sophistication,” she says, noting that she painted the walls a very rich peachy-pink tone and thoughtfully selected each piece of furniture. “I did not want to buy the traditional ‘nursery furniture,’ so instead I made a changing table out of a dresser that I bought at an antique auction and used a chic velvet chair from John Derian in place of a rocking chair,” Falconer explains.
Photo: Lauren Taylor3/15Welcome historical flourishes
People tend to think sophisticated, storied details of a home don’t play nicely with nurseries; that assumption doesn’t pass a designer’s sniff test. “We love the historic architectural details of this Los Angeles home—one of them being the stained glass window,” says Coe of this project, for which her client sought a casual look with a focus on the collector’s piece. “The leather glider grounds the space while the pink sofa adds both some fun and a place for the parents to rest,” she says. “Mixing and matching the furniture finishes and textures makes this room feel eclectic and perfect for a historic home.”
Photo: David Casas4/15Pay homage to your heritage
This client of Coe’s wanted her baby girl’s small nursery to be soothing and soft, with an atmosphere of Southern charm to honor her roots. “There are elements of traditional design with a little Scandinavian as well, and of course the gorgeous Southern-inspired wall mural, which gives the room depth,” says Coe, adding that, since the room is on the tiny side, she and her team kept the rest of the design light and airy.
Photo: Christopher Stark5/15Add intrigue with an immersive wallpaper or mural
Just because you’re adding a mural to a little one’s nursery doesn’t mean you need to stick to only flowers and animal motifs. Instead, consider a chic look that grows up with your child. For her daughter’s small nursery, Lindsay Gerber of Lindsay Gerber Interiors in San Francisco added “warmth and visual interest” with a patterned grey wall mural, which she complemented with an array of textural materials throughout the space. She reads down the list of elements, including a “Sisal rug, paper Noguchi pendant, antique stone side tables, linen drapery, and wool lounge chair” that helped create the calming setup. A palette of charcoal, cream, and sandy tan tones helps complete the tranquil vibe. “I love that at night when I turn off the lights and sing to her, the pale paper Noguchi pendant looks like the moon glowing faintly in the night sky above her bed,” Gerber says.
Photo: J.L. Jordan6/15Go unexpected
Yes, it’s a baby’s room, and yes, you can still add gorgeous artistic flourishes that tug at adults’ heartstrings. Bethany Adams, principal of Bethany Adams Interiors in Louisville, Kentucky, opted for an elegant gilded accent for this baby girl’s nursery. “A beautiful, antique Tommaso Barbi leaf lamp adds an unexpected touch of elegance (and very soft middle-of-the-night lighting) to the nursery,” she says of the charming piece, which steers clear of being “over the top or frilly.” According to Adams, the soft color of the walls (which are painted Benjamin Moore’s Queen Anne Pink) is balanced out by the heavyweight mustard-hued drapery.
Photo: Vivian Johnson7/15Hang whimsical wallpaper to make a statement
“I’m absolutely in love with the Flat Vernacular wallpaper we used for this nursery,” says Rachel Seldin, founder and principal designer of Seldin Design Studios in San Francisco—noting that it reminds her of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the enchanting scene with the “lickable” wallpaper. “The vibrant pattern evokes joyful memories from my own childhood, proving that going bold can be deeply personal,” she continues. “Designing a space that connects with your inner child can truly create magic.”
Photo: Tim Williams8/15Create a tranquil ambience with floral wallpaper
Banks Humiston likes that this baby girl nursery embraces elegance and whimsy. “The floral wallpaper adds a soft, playful touch, while the soft pastel palette keeps the room warm and inviting,” she says. What’s more, thoughtfully arranged essentials—like the cozy glider positioned between a side table and changing station—ensure everything is within easy reach, enhancing the room’s functionality for caregivers, adds Banks Humiston. Plus, the transparent crib and balloon-like light fixture “add an airy feel,” maximizing light and space while keeping the design modern and sophisticated. To recreate this look, the designer suggests focusing on practical furniture placement, a harmonious and warm color palette, and one moment of pattern.
Photo: Vivian Johnson9/15Think outside the box with your wallpaper
If you’re seeking small nursery inspiration, Anja Michals of Anja Michals Interior Design in Mill Valley, California, says that wallpaper is a great way to personalize the space, no matter how big the room is. “You can [wallpaper] all the walls or an accent wall [to set a] foundation for the room, and then you can work around that,” Michals says. “We also like to play around with paint,” she adds (like painting stripes on the walls that extend onto the ceiling). Here, Michals and her team used a boho floral design from Peter Dunham, complemented by drapes from Alice Seargeant Textiles.
Photo: Heather Talbert10/15Don’t shy away from eye-catching window treatments
Chicago-based interior designer Claire Staszak of Centered by Design loves using statement window treatments and lighting to make a big impact in small spaces. “I think a trend right now is more graphic and geometric patterns for a nursery, as opposed to just florals or more childlike-themed fabrics,” Staszak says. Another go-to tip of hers? Use pink to create a more unexpected palette by pairing it with red, black, or other combinations “that aren’t sweet, but more grown-up.”
Photo: Anna Spaller Photography11/15Envelop an entire room in a bold print
“For a while, the trend was to create an accent wall—typically, the wall the crib was featured on. However, we have seen a big shift to new parents going bold in the space and covering every wall,” says Elizabeth Rees, cofounder of Chasing Paper, a wall covering company based in Milwaukee. Rees wanted this nursery to feel fanciful and comforting without it being too obviously designed for a baby girl. “I matched the trim paint to the wallpaper and added wainscoting, which balanced out the busy wallpaper print while bringing the green to the forefront,” she says. “This allowed the wallpaper to become a moment of its own while ensuring the rest of the space still felt neutral enough to incorporate the other elements, such as a striped rug and complementary art.”
Photo: NativeHouse Photography12/15Play with textures
Engelberg appreciates that this room “exudes strong feminine vibes without feeling overly childish.” To accomplish that atmosphere, she and her team used varied textures for depth and character, as well as original art to enhance the overall elegance of this baby girl’s room. “To achieve a similar look, focus on timeless wallpaper, blend textures, and select pieces that reflect a more mature aesthetic, ensuring the nursery remains stylish as your child grows,” she says, poting out the Cole & Son wallpaper hanging here as “a dreamy backdrop that can grow with the child.”
Photo: David Casas13/15Forget pink: Befriend lavender
“Lavender is such a great color for nurseries and it fell out of favor for a while, and I’m so glad to see it coming back,” Coe says. “This is a cooler lavender, but it works so well in the space to balance the wood window frames,” she says. The oversized vintage mirror in this nursery was refinished in silver for a mixed metal look, and the butterfly details (beloved by the client) were woven in throughout.
Photo: Luke + Mallory Leasure14/15Less nursery decor is more
Baby girl nursery ideas might be easier to bring to life when you embrace minimalism. This nursery will always hold a special place in the heart of Sara Gray, principal designer of Grayhaus Interiors in Portland, as her firm designed it for her sister’s first baby. “A mobile with a minimalist design (like the one pictured) adds a playful touch without detracting from the serene aesthetic,” says Gray, emphasizing that minimal, purposeful nursery decor helps create a peaceful and comfortable environment. (Exactly what you want when you’re up at all hours tending to a newborn, folks.) To complete the modern, gender-neutral aesthetic, soft sage walls, a natural wood crib, and delicate botanical-inspired wall panels round out the mix. To recreate the look, Gray recommends layering soft, neutral tones and furniture with clean lines. Use woven baskets and textured rugs for extra warmth and storage, she adds.
Photo: Rebecca McAlpin15/15Balance pastels with metallic hues
Cohen offers a tip we love for DIY nursery ideas: Mix silver and/or gold with pops of pink. After all, opposites attract. “A pastel palette with bright and colorful pops creates an environment that is soothing and whimsical at the same time,” she says. “The idea is that there is enough going on visually to create some interest. Pastels will help keep it a soft and soothing space.” Similarly, in a “mauve butterfly” baby girl nursery theme that Coe designed, the furniture has a silver finish paired with vintage gold for depth. “Shades of mauve, pale violet and taupe in this space [offer] a layered look and lots of coziness with the fabric-upholstered crib and stunning Rug Company rug,” she adds of this nursery, which implemented a metallic-and-pastels color scheme.
