How to Extend Your Home's Style Into the Nursery
A nursery that’s baby-friendly, yet still in line with your style? Yes, it can be done! See how, with 5 styles outlined
When creating the perfect nursery for your baby, don’t underestimate how much time you’ll also be spending in there, around the clock. Whether your home’s style is mid-century, Scandi, industrial or Art Deco, there are ways to gently weave these aesthetics into your baby’s room.
Make classic design work harder for you
For other nursery essentials, look no further than other recognisable classics from this era. The iconic wing-back chair becomes the perfect rocker for late-night feeds, allowing you to rest a tired head while soothing bub. Style meets substance with a more traditional walnut dresser instead of a sideboard, which completes the look with its similarly typical slanted legs and slim drawers, but this one also doubles up as a change table: a great option if space or budget is tight.
For other nursery essentials, look no further than other recognisable classics from this era. The iconic wing-back chair becomes the perfect rocker for late-night feeds, allowing you to rest a tired head while soothing bub. Style meets substance with a more traditional walnut dresser instead of a sideboard, which completes the look with its similarly typical slanted legs and slim drawers, but this one also doubles up as a change table: a great option if space or budget is tight.
Or for more subtle style, embrace a single icon
If you’d rather make a subtle nod to this look without overdoing it, an Eames rocker is about as iconic as you can get. Rock your baby in style: so classy is this piece that it will suit virtually any space or scheme (see Scandi below), especially when it’s in simple white.
More signature pieces from Eames
If you’d rather make a subtle nod to this look without overdoing it, an Eames rocker is about as iconic as you can get. Rock your baby in style: so classy is this piece that it will suit virtually any space or scheme (see Scandi below), especially when it’s in simple white.
More signature pieces from Eames
2. Scandi
With a pale and peaceful scheme that embraces nature and simplicity, it’s easy to see why the Scandi look has become a favourite in nurseries everywhere.
A white canvas is key to this pared-back aesthetic, so think white walls with blanched or blonde floorboards, or light carpet, to keep a serene feel.
With a pale and peaceful scheme that embraces nature and simplicity, it’s easy to see why the Scandi look has become a favourite in nurseries everywhere.
A white canvas is key to this pared-back aesthetic, so think white walls with blanched or blonde floorboards, or light carpet, to keep a serene feel.
White furniture also works well and the cot is a great place to start, though hints of pale timber subtly weave in some warmth. This light wood cot has a more natural accent, complemented by other natural details such as the feathery dreamcatcher to evoke tranquillity.
Indulge in cosy textiles
The simplicity of this look means that textures and textiles can easily be layered up to make a Scandi nursery feel snug. Favourites include animal hide rugs, on floors or simply thrown over chairs. Chunky knits also work wonderfully; think generous wool blankets that can echo chosen colourways.
Indulge in cosy textiles
The simplicity of this look means that textures and textiles can easily be layered up to make a Scandi nursery feel snug. Favourites include animal hide rugs, on floors or simply thrown over chairs. Chunky knits also work wonderfully; think generous wool blankets that can echo chosen colourways.
Sneak in some colour
Scandi purists can still keep a black, white and grey palette in other rooms; but gradually introducing colours is important to babies’ visual development. The key is to sneak in tot-friendly tones such as soft blues and greens through textiles such as cushions, artwork and painted furniture pieces. The great thing is that these can always be switched or painted again later to accommodate changing tastes and fads (yours or your child’s)
Bring the Scandi look into your bedroom
Scandi purists can still keep a black, white and grey palette in other rooms; but gradually introducing colours is important to babies’ visual development. The key is to sneak in tot-friendly tones such as soft blues and greens through textiles such as cushions, artwork and painted furniture pieces. The great thing is that these can always be switched or painted again later to accommodate changing tastes and fads (yours or your child’s)
Bring the Scandi look into your bedroom
Bring the woodland in
With the love of the outdoors in Scandinavia, it’s no surprise that nature features heavily in this style. A nursery is the ideal place to explore this element through cute woodland themes; think furry foxes, rabbits and tree decals to create a sense of fun and adventure on even the greyest days.
With the love of the outdoors in Scandinavia, it’s no surprise that nature features heavily in this style. A nursery is the ideal place to explore this element through cute woodland themes; think furry foxes, rabbits and tree decals to create a sense of fun and adventure on even the greyest days.
3. Industrial
An industrial nursery? But of course. The beauty of hard-working materials such as metal, brick and wood, along with a focus on upcycling and being resourcefully creative, is that they can create the perfect environment for curious little minds.
Embrace metal tones…
As well as being the perfect unisex (and any-age) colour, understated grey – from light stone to gunmetal – complements any industrial scheme. Here, it picks up on the metal in the bare-bones rafters of this loft apartment.
Plush carpet and soft furnishings can be used to knock any hard edges off an industrial scheme. White furniture and decals will create a contrast to deeper tones and lift the look. There’s no room for gloom with babies!
An industrial nursery? But of course. The beauty of hard-working materials such as metal, brick and wood, along with a focus on upcycling and being resourcefully creative, is that they can create the perfect environment for curious little minds.
Embrace metal tones…
As well as being the perfect unisex (and any-age) colour, understated grey – from light stone to gunmetal – complements any industrial scheme. Here, it picks up on the metal in the bare-bones rafters of this loft apartment.
Plush carpet and soft furnishings can be used to knock any hard edges off an industrial scheme. White furniture and decals will create a contrast to deeper tones and lift the look. There’s no room for gloom with babies!
Celebrate machinery
Mechanics meet art through stylish household essentials such as this retro fan. Its dinky size and placement next to plush toys makes the look more fun than factory. Just make sure any metals on show are unpolished and unfussy as shine doesn’t work here.
Mechanics meet art through stylish household essentials such as this retro fan. Its dinky size and placement next to plush toys makes the look more fun than factory. Just make sure any metals on show are unpolished and unfussy as shine doesn’t work here.
Experiment with awesome lighting
From stripped utilitarian to full-on fabulous, industrial lighting can be pure indulgence in a nursery. Here, the handsome ceiling light will fascinate any baby, and what child would ever grow out of seeing their name in (marquee) lights?
See more statement lighting
From stripped utilitarian to full-on fabulous, industrial lighting can be pure indulgence in a nursery. Here, the handsome ceiling light will fascinate any baby, and what child would ever grow out of seeing their name in (marquee) lights?
See more statement lighting
4. Art Deco
Don’t be fooled into thinking glamour is only for grown-ups; there’s plenty of charm to an Art Deco-style nursery. The mirror display on the wall of this nursery is simple but oh-so sophisticated, and adds a splash of Art Deco glam to this soft and cosy space.
Don’t be fooled into thinking glamour is only for grown-ups; there’s plenty of charm to an Art Deco-style nursery. The mirror display on the wall of this nursery is simple but oh-so sophisticated, and adds a splash of Art Deco glam to this soft and cosy space.
Embrace classic Disney
With its roots in the Art Deco era, any early black-and-white Disney art will work in this scheme. These silhouettes of Mickey and Minnie do just the job in bold black frames.
With its roots in the Art Deco era, any early black-and-white Disney art will work in this scheme. These silhouettes of Mickey and Minnie do just the job in bold black frames.
Explore symmetry
A key feature in Art Deco design, symmetry might seem a tricky thing to achieve in a nursery, but it doesn’t need to be taken to extremes. Here, a perfect sense of balance is found through the centrally placed cot with mirror-image wall sconces behind it, and the geometric star print as the ideal backdrop. And yes, a more neutral palette can be used if you’d rather not go black and white.
A key feature in Art Deco design, symmetry might seem a tricky thing to achieve in a nursery, but it doesn’t need to be taken to extremes. Here, a perfect sense of balance is found through the centrally placed cot with mirror-image wall sconces behind it, and the geometric star print as the ideal backdrop. And yes, a more neutral palette can be used if you’d rather not go black and white.
5. Traditional
There’s something romantic about a traditional nursery. Delicate details and elegant styling seem the perfect choice for an older or Federation-style house, though with the right touches it can work anywhere.
Indulge in a sleigh cot
With its sweeping curves and scrolled detailing, a sleigh cot is the perfect piece to start with. White or dark-wood finishes usually work best with the muted tones of a traditional aesthetic. Above, the white is repeated in the Shaker-style dresser to create a calm, soothing feel.
Due to their timeless good looks and solid structure, sleigh cots are increasingly popular as convertible pieces, growing with your child and reusable as a day-bed long after they have left home.
There’s something romantic about a traditional nursery. Delicate details and elegant styling seem the perfect choice for an older or Federation-style house, though with the right touches it can work anywhere.
Indulge in a sleigh cot
With its sweeping curves and scrolled detailing, a sleigh cot is the perfect piece to start with. White or dark-wood finishes usually work best with the muted tones of a traditional aesthetic. Above, the white is repeated in the Shaker-style dresser to create a calm, soothing feel.
Due to their timeless good looks and solid structure, sleigh cots are increasingly popular as convertible pieces, growing with your child and reusable as a day-bed long after they have left home.
Update classic elements
If overdone, a traditional nursery can look fusty or museum-like. Sourcing modern re-workings of beloved classics, such as this contemporary rocking horse and cradle, is a good way to bring this style up to date.
If overdone, a traditional nursery can look fusty or museum-like. Sourcing modern re-workings of beloved classics, such as this contemporary rocking horse and cradle, is a good way to bring this style up to date.
Use tailored trims
Again, fussy or frilly textiles can look old-fashioned in this scheme. Go for tailored valances and pelmets, as seen here, and choose simple blinds or smart tie-back curtains over swags and tails.
Tell us
Show us your nursery and how you made it look good. Add your tips and photos in the Comments below.
More
Browse more nurseries in different interior styles
Again, fussy or frilly textiles can look old-fashioned in this scheme. Go for tailored valances and pelmets, as seen here, and choose simple blinds or smart tie-back curtains over swags and tails.
Tell us
Show us your nursery and how you made it look good. Add your tips and photos in the Comments below.
More
Browse more nurseries in different interior styles
With its emphasis on neat lines and curvilinear forms, the ever-popular mid-century aesthetic can be at home in any stylish baby space. What’s more, with so many iconic elements and pieces to choose from, it’s possible to commit to this look as fully or as minimally as you like.
Start with the essential pieces
While the cot is the most fundamental piece of furniture in any baby’s room, storage for an abundance of tiny clothes and baby bits and pieces is almost as important, so why not serve this need and start honing your look with a mid-century-style sideboard. Check out the hallmark tapered legs, the contrasting colours and warm wood tones of this piece, all true to this era. The result: a look that is clean yet cosy.