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Nursery Decorating Styles
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A Breakdown of the Most Common Baby Nursery Decorating Styles. Everything from Modern to Organic. Including Loads of Pictures of Different Styles and Nursery Ideas.
Decorating a nursery is such a daunting prospect for so many moms-to-be. Are you stuck in the boat of inertia when it comes to decorating your baby room? Is it because you just don't know where to start? Does it all seem too complicated?
Choosing your nursery decorating style will help you to form a vision for your baby's nursery, from there it's much easier to fill in the blanks.
Most people have a fairly strong preference for a particular decorating style; they just don't always realize it. This page will break down the dazzling array of nursery options out there into manageable chunks.
Identify which chunk you like best and you'll soon be ready to sink your teeth into your nursery decorating project!
Popular Nursery Decorating Styles
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Traditional Nursery Decorating
A traditional baby room is the type that most of us had as babies when life was simpler and choice less abundant.
Many moms are moving away from this style in search of something new and fun, but it still has the advantage of being soft and welcoming for your little one. Besides some moms just can't resist pink!
Characteristics of this nursery style include:
- Soft pastel colors (often including pink or blue).
- White traditional furniture with soft curved lines (including an old-fashioned rocking chair and toy box).
- Soft carpeted floors.
- At least partially wall-papered walls, often with a chair rail. (The same effect can be achieved with stenciled patterns).
- Traditional cotton fabrics in solid color palettes.
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Contemporary/Modern Nursery Design
The modern look is currently a popular choice for special baby spaces. If your home has a relatively contemporary decor style you may feel that a modern baby room will work best for you.
You need to be aware that despite it's rising popularity, modern baby decor is not as readily available as some of the more traditional matchy-matchy types, but don't let this put you off. There are some excellent contemporary designers and if you're really stuck you can always make your own!
The contemporary decorating style is simple, comfortable and inviting. To achieve a successful contemporary look it's essential to understand that less is more. No room for clutter here!
Characteristics include:
- Bright or boldly contrasting colors.
- Black, beige or white furniture sometimes with a splash of color, bright orange for example. Contemporary nursery furniture emphasizes the smooth geometric lines and shapes of the style.
- Bare, smooth floors in hard wood or laminate. If area rugs are used, plain or geometric patterns are a good choice to add color and texture.
- Walls are often left understated in neutral tones. Otherwise the geometric lines of contemporary design can be continued by making use of stripes or checks. Painted circles are also a popular option.
- Depending on the amount of detail in the rest of the room, solid fabrics can be used to simplify the overall feel of the room or fabrics with boldly colored geometric shapes can be used to enhance the modern design.
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Elegant Designer Nursery Rooms
We would all love to surround our little ones in the luxury of an elegant designer nursery room. It is a beautiful style!
Unfortunately, beautiful as it is, this nursery decorating style is certainly not the least expensive. Still if you can afford it, chances are it will fit the rest of your home. And it is a beautiful style ... did I say that already?
Characteristics of the designer nursery include:
- Soft but stylish neutral colors.
- Elegant iron or ebony furniture with scrollwork, embossed designs and canopies draped with luxurious fabrics. Find out more about iron baby cribs and furniture here.
- Floors are in natural colors often covered with simple, vibrant, high quality rugs.
- Walls are marbled, sponged or ragged with faux paint effects. Add interest and drama with wall art framed to match the furniture.
- Draperies topped with swags or scalloped valances cover sheer curtains and add elegance to the room. Tie backs and heavy tassels pull drapery panels to the sides to give the curtain a scalloped look as well as to enhance the window.
- And what designer nursery would be complete without the sweeping curves of chandelier lighting!
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Vintage or Shabby Chic Nursery Decorating
If you are lucky enough to have access to some old fashioned baby goodies this may be the style for you.
Do you have an heirloom cradle in the family? Did your mom pass down her antique dollhouse?
Make the most of these priceless treasures by putting them in the comfortable, casual look of a shabby chic or vintage nursery setting.
- Country Cottage Nursery Styles
A cottage nursery has a cozy, comfortable feel. A warm, inviting place to relax with your baby.
Cottage decorating is a quaint and charmingly unfussy style. It's all about simplicity and warmth combining the past with the present.
Characteristics of cottage nursery decorating include:
- Faded autumnal colors of greens, creams and yellows or the soft pinks, mauves and peaches of spring.
- Solid, old style hardwood furniture in natural colors.
- Natural hard wood floors with scattered old-feel floral rugs.
- Wall-papered walls in floral prints. Alternatively, stenciling can be used to achieve the same effect.
- Cotton and lace combined with light floral patterns and embroidery.
- Accessories such as wicker baskets, wooden frames, earthenware pots and flowers.
- Beach Nursery Decorating
Perfect if you live near the beach, this cool breezy decorating style uses sea-inspired colors, accents and treasures. You can almost smell the sea...
Bring back cherished childhood memories of those relaxed summer days filled with fun on the beach.
Characteristics of beach decorating style include:
- Soft shades of blue and green, coral pinks and natural sand with plenty of white.
- Light colored, painted or distressed furniture. Wicker also works well.
- Simply painted walls. Add horizontal bead board to enhance the beach appeal.
- Laminate flooring with textured natural rugs. Try sisal or bamboo.
- Windows are covered with natural or white slat-wood blinds or roll down shades. Alternatively, light airy curtains are perfect.
- Fabrics include cotton, canvas and fresh linens.
- Don't forget some sea-inspired accessories. Shells and sea-glass, rocks and starfish.
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Whimsical and Fun Nursery Rooms
My favorite way to decorate a nursery room, simply because the kids rooms are the only place I can get away with it...
These rooms are filled with character and life and are a virtual trip to wonderland. There are no rules and the only limits are those imposed by your imagination!
Characteristics of playful, whimsical nursery rooms include:
- An unlimited palette. Anything goes in terms of color. From bold and bright, to soft and cozy you can't go wrong - don't be shy!
- Any kind of furniture works here. For a real treat incorporate pieces with hand painted pictures or fantasy designs.
- Rugs for the whimsical nursery can be found in almost any design you can think of.
- Walls are painted with gorgeous sweeping murals or you can bring them to life with wallies or funky wall art.
- Fabrics are patterned with cute baby themes in all sorts of colors.
- Accessories are cute and colorful and are liberally scattered throughout the room.
See our nursery themes section for over 200 ideas...
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Organic and Green Baby Nursery Design
An increasingly popular nursery decorating option boasting natural, eco-friendly decor for the health and environmentally conscious mom.
The room has a clean, fresh appeal.
Characteristics of the organic nursery include:
- Soft, earthy colors bringing the outside in. Think greens, browns and creams with splashes of yellow and lilac or blue.
- Furniture is simple and uncomplicated, made using natural materials, processes and finishes.
- Floors of hard wood, bamboo, cork or natural linoleum with no synthetic finishes.
- Natural fiber, rustic rugs of jute, seagrass, sisal, wool or cotton.
- Simple painted walls with minimalist, clean wall decor.
- White or cream, high-quality linens and fabrics.
 
If you're having trouble getting started with your baby room, don't miss my FREE Step by Step Nursery Design eCourse. One at a time I'll take you through all the decisions you need to make in order to arrive at the best baby room design for you.
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