Kids’ Rooms: 10 Gender-neutral Nursery Ideas That Don’t Skimp on Style
Create a sweet space to suit you and your new baby – whether a boy or a girl
If you’re preparing the nest for an imminent new arrival and have managed to resist finding out the sex of the baby, you may be in need of some nursery decorating inspiration. Or perhaps you simply aren’t excited by traditional colours? Either way, forget outmoded ideas of blue for boys and pink for girls and make life easier for yourself by choosing a scheme that will suit either. With clever use of paint, prints and accessories, you will be able to create a room you’ll feel proud to bring your baby home to and that will work for your family for years to come.
Throw some shapes
Get crafty with stencils and create some original artwork for your baby to gaze at. Geometric shapes are easy enough to DIY and combine well with other patterns, such as this tropical print chair. Avoid things becoming too busy by restricting the rest of your furniture to white-painted and plain pieces.
Discover 8 ways to decorate a child’s room with geometric patterns
Get crafty with stencils and create some original artwork for your baby to gaze at. Geometric shapes are easy enough to DIY and combine well with other patterns, such as this tropical print chair. Avoid things becoming too busy by restricting the rest of your furniture to white-painted and plain pieces.
Discover 8 ways to decorate a child’s room with geometric patterns
Fall for an animal theme
Take inspiration from this pale and interesting nursery, which features a low-key giraffe theme requiring an eagle eye to notice each thoughtful detail. Such a subtle scheme would suit both boys and girls and could easily be embellished with colourful elements to suit your growing child.
Take inspiration from this pale and interesting nursery, which features a low-key giraffe theme requiring an eagle eye to notice each thoughtful detail. Such a subtle scheme would suit both boys and girls and could easily be embellished with colourful elements to suit your growing child.
Stick ’em up
For parents-to-be in need of quick makeover solutions, or those creating a nursery in a rented house, wall decals could be a clever choice. Available in a vast range of designs, they’re so quick to apply you could even wait until your baby is born to choose an image that suits them. Just unpeel, stick and go!
For parents-to-be in need of quick makeover solutions, or those creating a nursery in a rented house, wall decals could be a clever choice. Available in a vast range of designs, they’re so quick to apply you could even wait until your baby is born to choose an image that suits them. Just unpeel, stick and go!
Weave in printed fabrics
Soften a plain room by introducing pretty printed materials on blinds, bed linen, upholstery or curtains. Stripes, gingham and polka dots are classic unisex designs that work well in nurseries. Fabric bunting can also be strung up high, out of reach of little hands, to bring a touch of frivolity and fun.
Soften a plain room by introducing pretty printed materials on blinds, bed linen, upholstery or curtains. Stripes, gingham and polka dots are classic unisex designs that work well in nurseries. Fabric bunting can also be strung up high, out of reach of little hands, to bring a touch of frivolity and fun.
Preserve your interior style
For those allergic to bright colours and busy patterns, look beyond the paint shades typically associated with gender-neutral nurseries (such as yellow and green) and instead choose versatile sludgy shades, such as taupe or grey, more complementary to the rest of your home. Pair with a white cot, pastel accessories and soft muslin curtains for an understated nursery you’ll be happy to spend time in.
For those allergic to bright colours and busy patterns, look beyond the paint shades typically associated with gender-neutral nurseries (such as yellow and green) and instead choose versatile sludgy shades, such as taupe or grey, more complementary to the rest of your home. Pair with a white cot, pastel accessories and soft muslin curtains for an understated nursery you’ll be happy to spend time in.
Energise with accents
This nursery is a masterclass in how to use accent colours effectively. White walls and warm wooden furniture sit beautifully alongside a patterned kilim rug and powder blue shutters. Touches of fire engine red add glorious contrast to complete this striking scheme with unisex appeal. And for a whole new look, all you’d need to do is swap in different accessories.
This nursery is a masterclass in how to use accent colours effectively. White walls and warm wooden furniture sit beautifully alongside a patterned kilim rug and powder blue shutters. Touches of fire engine red add glorious contrast to complete this striking scheme with unisex appeal. And for a whole new look, all you’d need to do is swap in different accessories.
Choose clever colours
Duck-egg blue is a soothing shade with just the right amount of saturation to add interest to a room without shouting for attention. It suits both genders and can be introduced in layers, like this skirting board and matching blanket, to create a contemporary nursery you won’t get sick of in a hurry.
Duck-egg blue is a soothing shade with just the right amount of saturation to add interest to a room without shouting for attention. It suits both genders and can be introduced in layers, like this skirting board and matching blanket, to create a contemporary nursery you won’t get sick of in a hurry.
Be bold – on one wall
If you can’t resist graphic prints but fear overwhelming your nursery (not to mention yourself during those 4am feeds), restrict pattern to one wall. This bright Squiggle paper sets off the dark floor and white cot to create a modern space with bags of personality.
See more ideas for interesting feature walls
If you can’t resist graphic prints but fear overwhelming your nursery (not to mention yourself during those 4am feeds), restrict pattern to one wall. This bright Squiggle paper sets off the dark floor and white cot to create a modern space with bags of personality.
See more ideas for interesting feature walls
Repurpose existing pieces
An economical as well as elegant way to furnish your new nursery is to incorporate furniture and accessories from elsewhere in your home. This sweet space uses midcentury pieces alongside a simple cot and oriental rug. A vintage chest of drawers serves as a useful changing table with extra storage. Practical, gender-neutral and stylish all at the same time.
TELL US…
Have you shunned pink or blue for your baby’s bedroom – or is traditional the only way to go for you? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
An economical as well as elegant way to furnish your new nursery is to incorporate furniture and accessories from elsewhere in your home. This sweet space uses midcentury pieces alongside a simple cot and oriental rug. A vintage chest of drawers serves as a useful changing table with extra storage. Practical, gender-neutral and stylish all at the same time.
TELL US…
Have you shunned pink or blue for your baby’s bedroom – or is traditional the only way to go for you? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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A nursery decked out in bold printed wallpaper might not sound conducive to a peaceful space, but rest your eyes on this pale palette and see how the star pattern whispers ‘chic’ thanks to the subtle beige. Quiet lullabies in the comfy rocking chair might make sleepless nights feel a little easier, too.