12 Floral Nursery Design Tips & Décor Recommendations
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Welcoming a new member into the family ushers in incredible transformation: not just in our personal lives, but in the living spaces we inhabit too! The nursery — a haven for your little one — serves as a blank canvas for every parent’s creativity and love. However, before beginning to furnish to your heart’s content, it’s important to ask yourself, “What theme am I going with?”
“Parents will spend hours upon hours in that room, and a serene space that they love will only trickle down to the baby. After all, a newborn won’t care what the room looks like until they are much older.” Naomi Coe, founder of Little Crown Interiors in Irvine, CA
There’s an endless number of possibilities, yet limited amounts of designable space. There is nothing quite as sweet as a floral motif. Its timeless elegance, connection to nature, and ability to instill a sense of serenity have made it a staple for nursery décor for decades. Today, floral nurseries reflect the ideals of the modern parent. The mélange of colors and combination of prints ensures that your newborn will be planted into the right environment to blossom. Are you ready to release your inner florist?
1. Embrace a Harmonious Color Palette for Your Floral Nursery
The choice of color in your nursery sets the mood and forms the backdrop for all other subsequent design elements. When working with a floral theme, consider a palette that complements the natural hues of flowers. Soft pastels like baby pink, lavender, and mint green evoke a tranquil atmosphere, while bolder shades such as navy, emerald, or coral can create an eye-catching environment. Levtex Baby’s floral nursery collection features a wide range of products that align with various color schemes, ensuring that every piece contributes to a cohesive and stylish look.
2. Spotlight a Signature “Arrangement” in Baby’s Room
Every room benefits from a focal point, and in a floral-themed nursery, a signature piece can be particularly striking. Consider centering your design around a large-scale floral wallpaper, a bespoke mural, or a standout piece of furniture. This approach not only streamlines the decorating process but also ensures that the room has a memorable and impactful element that captures the essence of your design vision immediately. From there, you can build upon the focal centerpiece’s design and color scheme to direct the rest of your decisions.
3. Creative Wall Treatments for Floral Nursery Ideas
Why leave your walls barren when you could spruce them up with wallpaper? From delicate blossoms to bold botanical prints, opportunity is at your fingertips. Consider using floral wallpaper on a single accent wall to create a stunning backdrop without overwhelming the space. If things like wallpaper scare you, try using a wall decal instead. Decals can still provide the visual pop you seek and are often easily removable should you want to change your décor at any time.
“I love wallpaper. Using it on the ceiling is an even bolder idea. Doing just the ceiling is also lot less expensive than covering an entire room. Plus, babies are always looking up, and a fun wallpaper print is way more interesting for them to stare at. It keeps their minds busy!” Andi Morse, Atlanta-based interior designer
4. Go Beyond Bedding with Floral Nursery Design Tips
While floral print bedding will create an immediate impact, there are countless other ways to weave floral elements into your nursery. Drapes, rugs, storage baskets, and lampshades can all carry floral patterns amplifying and complementing the theme of your nursery. If matching florals is too difficult to coordinate, use these items to expand the color story within the nursery. Remember, you are creating a whole environment for your child, so don’t forget all those accessories and small touches that help complete the room.
5. Accent your Florals with Elements like Wood
To enhance your botanical vibe, incorporate natural materials such as wood, wicker, and linen. These elements invite warmth into the nursery, augmenting the connection to nature that floral patterns evoke. Natural elements tie in beautifully with floral patterns and help foster a nurturing space that promotes the overall well-being of both the child and parents. The implementation of various materials brings the sanctuary of the outdoors, indoors.
6. Use Florals to Emphasize Space
Florals are certainly enchanting, but their placement within the nursery requires intentionality to avoid overwhelming the space. Utilize floral designs in a way that works in tandem with the perception of space and light. For instance, florals on lighter backgrounds, or a feature wall, keep the room feeling airy and open. Alternatively, floral patterns in smaller components like throw pillows, crib mobiles, or changing stations can add just the right amount of pizzazz without completely dominating the room.
7. Layer Textures for Depth
Combine soft, plush fabrics with smoother, woven materials for a nursery experience that is visually rich while also exciting to the touch. Think soft, textured area rugs, fluffy baby blankets, and textured throw pillows. These elements juxtapose the more “solid” components of the nursery, like a crib and toys, adding warmth and depth to the room but also providing your child with different tactile materials to explore and feel.
8. Illuminate with Soft Lighting
Lighting plays a crucial role in contributing to the ambiance of any space, but especially a nursery. Soft, diffused light sources such as nursery-safe table lamps featuring floral accents or pendant lights with warm tones can enhance the gentle and soothing atmosphere of a floral-themed room. Even your baby’s nightlight can accentuate your design while simultaneously providing a soothing light source when the baby wakes while it's still dark.
9. Adorn with Artistic Floral Displays for Baby Room Ideas
Artwork will both deeply personalize and aestheticize your nursery. Eclectic paintings (ie, Monet) or prints that play into your flower-patterned theme add these extra finishing styling touches. Consider the colors that are prominent in your nursery, and how artwork can play into them. Grouping several smaller pieces to create a gallery wall can also create visual interest and serve as a gorgeous adornment. The walls of the nursery are your oyster, and the artwork you place on the walls will be your shining pearls.
10. Furniture: Functional or Beautiful? Why Not Both!
When designing a floral-themed nursery, choosing furniture that is both pragmatic and visually coherent is key. Opt for pieces that reflect the floral motif through subtle details such as carved floral patterns or color schemes that work within your palette. Focus on essentials like a comfortable crib, a sturdy changing table with ample storage, and a cozy nursing chair. These elements don’t only serve their primary function, they add charming touches to an already beautiful room.
“I always urge my clients to invest in pieces that will last through several stages, especially with furniture like dressers, nightstands, and bookcases. And although it may be tempting, try not to lean too trendy so you are not redoing it in a few years." Brelan Owen Pearson, designer of The Owen Group
11. Cater to ALL the Senses
Although having a visually stunning nursery is pleasing to the eye, incorporating elements that stimulate your baby’s other senses is also worth considering. Touch, sound, and even smell are all worth considering. Gentle textures from plushies, soft music emanating from a corner speaker or a musical mobile, and even the subtle use of natural floral scents, like lavender or rose, can enhance the atmosphere of your nursery. Inspire your child by catering to as many senses as you see feasible.
12. For a Subdued Look: Use Subtle Floral Accents
For those preferring a more subtle approach to incorporating florals into their nursery, focus on small, deliberate accents rather than large-scale patterns. Consider using floral imagery in smaller items such as picture frames, lampshades, or decorative pillows. These elements can carry the floral theme without the risk of dominating the space. This approach allows for flexibility in design and the ability to adjust the level of floral influence as tastes change or the child grows.
Florals Are Forever
Whether creating a nursery for your first child or a new sibling, new additions to the family are always exciting.
As you embark on this new creative journey, remember that the key is in the details. From the softness of the fabrics to the vibrancy of the wall decor, each element contributes to a nurturing atmosphere that stimulates the senses and soothes the soul. We hope some of our tips on creating the perfect floral nursery will help you create a nursery that not only looks spectacular but also feels like a warm embrace. Let your creativity bloom and watch as your floral nursery comes to life.
FAQ
How can I blend floral patterns without overwhelming the nursery?
Start with a primary floral pattern and select secondary patterns that share similar colors but differ in scale. This creates a cohesive look while adding depth and interest. Additionally, consider incorporating floral nursery design tips like mixing floral prints with solid colors to balance visual stimulation.
What color palettes work best with floral nursery decor?
Soft pastels create a serene backdrop, while bold and vibrant colors can add energy and contrast. Consider the lighting and size of your nursery when choosing your palette. Remember, a delicate color palette can evoke a sense of tranquility, while vibrant shades can infuse the room with liveliness.
How can I maintain a cohesive theme throughout the nursery?
Select a core floral motif and color scheme as your guide. Repeating these elements in various aspects of the décor can help to unify the space. From furniture to accents, ensure that each piece contributes to the overarching floral nursery design.
Are there alternative ways to incorporate florals beyond textiles?
Yes! Wall art, murals, decals, and even floral-shaped accessories or toys can add floral elements to your nursery without relying solely on textiles. Consider using floral wallpaper as a statement piece or incorporating botanical artwork to infuse the room with garden-inspired charm.
Written by Spencer Spring
References
1. "Everything You Need To Know About Creating The Ultimate Nursery" on Forbes Home - https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/design/nursery-room-design-tips
2. "40 Nursery Decorating Ideas for a Sweet, Comfortable Space" on House Beautiful - https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/kids-pets/g2332/unique-nursery-decorating-ideas
3. "5 Easy Tips for Designing a Pretty and Practical Nursery, According to Design Experts" on Apartment Therapy - https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-design-a-baby-nursery-37124911
