Although fun, decorating a nursery can also be tiresome and take a lot of time. Needless to say, the winning combination for parents(-to-be) is affordable + quick + simple + beautiful. One of the ways to achieve that is to find ideas that don’t involve a paint bucket and a brush.
If you’re curious about how to decorate nursery walls without painting, feel free to browse our little gallery to reawaken your creative spark!
Self-Adhesive Items
1. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Removable wallpaper in a nursery will sound appealing to parents who wish to noticeably transform the room interior but lack the time or energy to use unpasted wallpaper.
We suggest getting the wallpaper in several colors, cutting it into different shapes and sizes, and arranging them into a puzzle-like work of art.
Just bear in mind that the walls need to be prepped before wallpapering or painting (luckily, this isn’t a very demanding task).
2. Decals for Nursery Walls
It’s not hard to guess why decals are among our favorite nursery decor options. They come in countless shapes, colors, and sizes; they’re affordable, incredibly easy to use, and it takes a minute to remove them.
Apply them to the wall right by the bed to create a stunning focal point.
Paper and Cardboard
3. Colorful Paper Pendants
Paper pendants make an irresistible addition to baby rooms. Arrange them on a curtain rod or hang them on a long string you’ll then tie on both ends of the wall you choose to adorn.
4. Decorative Paper Napkins
This idea’s pretty simple and revolves more or less around the same principle as the previous one. Make a selection of your favorite napkins, and hang them on a string or a white thread.
You can attach the napkins with mini clothespins or simply fold them over the string.
5. Origami Art
Any parent who’s into the art of paper folding will agree these creations make perfect wall decorations for baby rooms. If you’re making the pieces yourself, go with cheerful colors like soft pink, baby blue, or soothing shades of green.
Depending on the shape of the artwork, you can use adhesive putty or tape that matches the color of the wall to arrange the decorations. You can also use thumbtacks if you’ve got a corkboard in the room.
6. Cardboard Tree
Large decorations such as this one will make any accent wall breathtaking. If possible, try to find a cutout that you can paint in the colors you choose to give your baby’s room a more personal touch.
7. Glitter Stars
No child is able to resist the twinkly charm of glitter stars, and parents love them too! Silver or gold, they complement any nursery and can be placed on any wall.
Arrange them close together to create a cute centerpiece, or use them to draw attention to other details in your nursery.
8. Colorful Paper Cutouts
Grab a pair of scissors, some crayons, colored pencils, and paper, and start an arts-and-crafts session! Parents love such simple nursery wall decor ideas because they’re a budget-friendly and convenient solution for any baby nursery, not to mention they’re fun.
Here’s an extra tip: since newborns respond better to round shapes, heart, circle, or oval decorations will probably be the best option.
Wood and Metal
9. Honeycomb Shelves
Such beautifully shaped storage items have both an aesthetic and a practical function. They’ll look even nicer if you paint the middle section or decorate it with self-adhesive stickers.
10. Cloud-Shaped Shelves
Floating bedroom shelves are welcome in any nursery because they offer extra storage space for the things you need to keep close to the changing table, dresser, or crib.
However, the arrangement can seem somewhat monotonous if you get them all in the same shape, size, and color.
That’s why we recommend varying them a little—different colors and sizes create a sense of dynamic. The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to install them on the wall.
11. Word Signs
Motivational quotes for nursery walls are a great way to start teaching your child about the beauty of poetry and the power of verbal creation.
Since they’re popular, you’ll find word signs in various home improv stores. Custom-made ones are even better if you want something very specific, like a poetry verse.
Light Fixtures
12. Wall Lighting
Besides their practical purpose, wall lamps can also be used to embellish a room. The adorable cloud-shaped lamp matches any nursery design well. Because its color is neutral, the lamp will easily complement other details, like plush toys, baby blankets, and quilts.
13. Rotating Night Light
Granted, this isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you brainstorm ideas for nursery walls, especially because it’s not actually on the wall. However, these subtle lights will look absolutely magical, illuminating the room at night as they soothe your baby to dreamland.
Other
14. Curtain Panels
Though they’re not exactly part of wall decor, drapery panels are an excellent choice for nurseries with big windows. They form a soft frame around such wide undecorated areas and allow you to control the amount of natural light so your baby can sleep better.
15. Crochet Decorations
Some people might think this idea is too old-fashioned and too traditional for a nursery but this photo begs to differ. A crochet wall hanging can introduce an abundance of warmth and really soften the overall look, especially if you pair it up with a matching crochet rug.
16. Garlands and Flowers
Flowers in soft colors are very popular wall decorations for baby rooms. Natural, artificial, fresh, or pressed, they’re a feast for the eyes.
If you opt for this idea, we suggest using tape in the same color as your walls. Also, if there are any leaves on the plant you’re attaching, you can try to place them over the tape so as to mask it.
17. Canvas
If you love to paint, get canvas on a few different-sized stretchers, preferably round ones. Then, choose the right color for each piece so you can arrange them all into a specific pattern. Since it’s a baby room, it’s best to go with subtle nuances.
Another great thing about this idea is that you can use the canvas to pin your family photos, paper crafts, birthday cards, and other personal belongings.
Conclusion
Nurseries are a pleasure for parents to decorate, but it’s a task that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The visual choices you make can help shape your child’s aesthetic sense from the earliest days and color its most precious childhood memories with nurture and happiness.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our tips because there’s a lot more we’d like to share, like our favorite baby boy nursery ideas and other nifty home decor tricks for new parents!
FAQ
When should you start to decorate the nursery?
Don’t postpone furnishing or decorating for the last weeks of pregnancy. In fact, a lot of mothers say it’s best to start this project as soon as you can. This is especially the case if you need to transform a guest room or an office into a nursery, which will take some time.
Moreover, if you’re painting or decorating with wallpaper, do so 2–3 months before your baby is born. It’s important to finish this task well in advance so that there’s enough time for the unwanted smells and fumes to completely dissipate.
How do I choose a feature wall for a nursery?
The feature wall (a.k.a accent wall) in your nursery will be the one where you place the crib. Put simply, it attracts the most attention when you walk into the room.
What do you put on nursery walls?
Painting a room can be quite energy-demanding, even more so if you’re pregnant or have a newborn. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to decorate a nursery wall without painting it.
For example:
- Framed artwork
- Baby photos and family photos
- Plants, flowers, garlands, and wreaths
- Floating shelves in cheerful colors and cute shapes
- Wallpaper (regular or the peel-and-stick kind if you want to simplify)
- Crochet decorations
- Kids‘ mirrors
- Colorful tapestry
- Stickers (e.g., numbers, adorable animals, luminous stars or the Moon, etc.)
- Papercraft (origami art, beautifully shaped cutouts)
- Decorative paper napkins on a string
- Wall lamps
For more creative tips on how to decorate nursery walls without painting, scroll up and check out some of the most popular ideas among parents!
