New Colors for Nursery Decor
Unconventional Ideas for Decorating Your Baby's Room
Use unexpected color choices to welcome your new arrival.
One of the most common questions asked of mothers-to-be is, “What colors/theme are you using in the baby’s room?” Typically, the answer given involves some version of soft blue or pink if you know the sex of your baby or pale green and yellow if you’re going to be surprised. However, don’t get tied down to tried-and-true baby blue (or pink or any other pastel). If you’ve never liked light colors or if the rest of your house is a mod mix of primary hues, you have tons of options in the way of nursery decor. Read on for ideas to inspire your decorating decisions.
Study in Contrasts
Research shows that until babies are a few months old, they are very nearsighted, which makes their view of the outside world a blur. This means high contrast colors—light and dark side by side—are a great choice for the early months. Think about the classic combination of black and white, which works great in a more contemporary home. You don’t have to paint the room in black and white stripes unless that is the look you’re after. You can find bedding, fun artwork, mobiles, and other accessories to play up the contrast theme. Add some pieces in shades of red and finishes of stainless steel and you will have one cool, mod nursery. For less harsh contrasting options, try pairing deep navy with pale blue or chocolate brown with pink for sophisticated looks that incorporate classic baby hues.
The Bright Idea
If the contrast of light and dark doesn’t work for you, try a twist on traditional colors for surprising nursery décor. For example, use hot pink, bright turquoise, lime green, or neon yellow. As wall colors, these bold hues can be a bit much, but smaller doses splashed throughout the room create an interesting space as your little one grows. Try just one bright wall or a mural in saturated tones for a focal point. You can also stick with a neutral base color and play around with removable wall decals and accessories in a vibrant color of your choice. A window valance, lampshade, or fun toys placed strategically around the room can all help enhance a lively color scheme.
When you’re looking for something different, decorating your baby’s room in high contrast or vivid colors can be the answer. It may make answering the question about your nursery décor a bit more difficult, but you will have created a stimulating environment for your baby’s senses. Bonus: the room will continue to be fun as your child transitions from infant to toddler and beyond.
