How to style a nursery two ways When it comes to setting up a nursery, most new parents start with the foundation pieces of the room – the cot, bassinet and a change table or chest of drawers. But once you’ve ticked off the basics, then what? Here are some stylish and timeless ways to decorate a nursery around two of the most popular furniture finishes – white and timber.
How to style white nursery furniture White furniture creates a bright and crisp look in your baby’s nursery and gives you scope to have fun with colour and pattern. To ensure they stand the test of time, seek out pieces with clean, simple lines in durable materials that will cope with whatever life (and a growing toddler) throws at them. Furniture crafted from sustainably sourced, FSCcertified pine with a non-toxic finish is better for your baby’s health and the environment.
Create contrast Colour on your walls will make white nursery furniture pop, so now’s the time to grab the paint brush or splash out on a gorgeous, patterned wallpaper. When selecting wall colour, bear in mind that your main objective is creating a sleep sanctuary for your baby, so steer clear of bright or jarring hues. That still leaves plenty of options; tap into the current trend for cocooning, brown-based tones with cosy terracotta, brick or soothing sage on walls, or for something bold yet serene, try teal. The nursery is the perfect spot to have a bit of a fun with colour and pattern; why not 48
create a modern dado look by painting two thirds of the wall in colour and leaving the top third plain, or create a feature wall with a look-at-me wallpaper behind the cot and keep the other walls neutral.
Add texture A neutral scheme based around white furniture calls for plenty of texture – it’s the perfect way to add warmth and interest to your nursery. Up the cosiness factor with textured blankets, a woven wall hanging or a tactile boucle armchair topped with supersoft cushions.
Don’t forget storage It often surprises new parents just how much stuff babies have! If you want to keep the nursery organised and clutter-free, wellplanned storage is essential. A generous and well-made chest of drawers with clean, minimalist lines, such as Tasman Eco’s Alana 3-Drawer Chest, is a great starting point and will see your little one all the way through from babyhood to the school years. Boost it with one or two large, woven baskets to keep toys and bulky items. If you’re in need of more storage but don’t know where to squeeze it in, look for any under-utilised spots in the room; think hooks behind the bedroom door or lidded storage boxes that tuck under the cot.
Personalise with art Colourful artworks offset white furniture beautifully and will bring personality and interest to your baby’s nursery. If you’ve given your nursery a theme, such as jungle animals or hot- air balloons, add fun framed posters or prints to the walls that bring it to life. Or liven up walls with photo art, Scandiinspired abstracts or a decorative wall decal.
