Choosing the right colors for a nursery is an exciting part of preparing for a new baby. The colors you pick can have a big impact on the overall feel and mood of the room. When selected thoughtfully, the right color palette can help create a space that is uplifting, calming, stimulating or soothing for your little one.
How do colors impact mood and emotion?
Colors can evoke emotional responses and set the tone of a space. When planning a nursery color scheme, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of color psychology. Here’s a look at how some common nursery colors are believed to impact mood and emotion:
- Blue – Blue hues are associated with calm, relaxation and serenity. Soft blues can have a soothing, peaceful effect.
- Green – Green is thought to represent renewal, growth and harmony. Pale greens can have a tranquil, refreshing vibe.
- Yellow – Cheerful, bright yellows are energetic and uplifting. Softer yellows promote optimism and creativity.
- Purple – Purple can stimulate imagination and creativity. Lavender purple is considered calming and soothing.
- Pink – Pink conveys nurturing, warmth and femininity. It is thought to have a calming, comforting effect.
- Orange – Vibrant orange tones are lively, energetic and bold. They can promote activity and stimulation.
- Neutral – Neutrals like whites, grays and tans are classic and soothing. They allow bolder accent colors to stand out.
Keep these color associations in mind as you plan a nursery palette that aligns with the type of mood you want to cultivate in your baby’s space.
What are the most popular nursery color schemes?
While personal taste plays a big role, here are some tried-and-true color combinations that are commonly used in nurseries:
- Gray and yellow – Chic gray grounds bright, cheery yellow in this clean and contemporary combination.
- Blue and green – Peaceful blues and greens recall the serenity of nature in this soothing, gender-neutral palette.
- Pink and gold – Classic and feminine, this blend pairs soft pink with glimmering metallic gold accents.
- Purple and green – Vibrant purple mixes with fresh green in this stimulating, creative color scheme.
- Coral and mint – Playful coral gives a pop of energy to soothing mint green in this unique pairing.
You can give any of these popular color combos a custom twist by playing with different hues and shades. For example, try robin’s egg blue with sage green or dusty pink with champagne gold.
What colors promote sleep for babies?
Establishing healthy sleep patterns is important for babies. The colors you choose for a nursery can impact how restful or stimulating the environment is. Here are some of the best colors for promoting sleep:
- Blues – Blue is known to be calming, relaxing and sleep-inducing. Light to mid-tone blues are ideal for sleep.
- Greens – Green represents renewal and harmony. Soft sage and seafoam greens can help baby settle down to sleep.
- Grays – Neutral grays are extremely soothing and promote restfulness in the nursery.
- Purples – Light purples like lavender can help babies feel calm and comforted before sleep.
- Pinks – Gentle pinks convey warmth and serenity, making them conducive to sleep.
Colors to avoid are bright, stimulating shades like vibrant oranges, yellows, reds or neon hues. Stick to mellow, muted color palettes for nap time and nighttime slumber.
What are gender neutral nursery colors?
Here are some go-to color options for beautifully gender neutral nurseries:
- White – Crisp, clean white serves as a brilliant neutral backdrop in any nursery.
- Gray – Sophisticated grays work for boys or girls and allow you to accessorize with pops of color.
- Yellow – Sunny, unisex yellows look happy and inviting in any nursery.
- Green – Earthy greens like sage and olive are natural, versatile gender neutral choices.
- Purple – Soft lavenders, lilacs and violets make unique neutral nursery hues.
- Orange – Gender neutral shades of orange add energy without overly feminine or masculine vibes.
- Navy – For a modern, trendy look, try pairing crisp navy with other neutrals.
The key is choosing muted, softer shades of these colors rather than their brighter counterparts. Then mix in gender neutral patterns and accessories to finish the look.
What colors help stimulate brain development?
Color can impact growing babies on a cognitive level too. Here are some great colors to consider for nurturing brain development:
- Red – Red tones stimulate the brain and energy levels which is great for playful learning.
- Orange – Vibrant orange helps build concentration skills and engagement.
- Yellow – Cheery yellow boosts optimism, creativity and cognitive responses.
- Green – Green inspires curiosity in little ones and motivates learning.
- Blue – Cool blues build calm and support cognitive focus.
- Purple – Regal purples activate imagination and innovative thinking.
You can incorporate some of these bolder, brighter colors through accent walls, color blocking, fabrics and artwork. Balancing them with calmer neutral backgrounds creates an enriching environment for your baby’s developing mind.
How do I pick a nursery color palette?
With so many options, picking the perfect color scheme can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips for choosing nursery colors:
- Select two or three colors maximum. Less is more when it comes to a soothing space.
- Follow the 60-30-10 rule – 60% neutral background color, 30% bolder accent color and 10% pops of vibrancy.
- Consider the size and lighting of the room. Bolder colors suit bigger, brighter spaces.
- Look at color families for cohesive palettes. Blue, green and purple all pair well together.
- Pick timeless over trendy colors to get more longevity from the nursery.
- Don’t be afraid to embrace color! Nurseries are meant to be cheerful, vibrant spaces.
Most importantly, choose colors that make you happy and reflect your style. This is your baby’s first room, so make sure it feels like a space you’ll love spending time in together.
What paint finishes work best in nurseries?
The right paint finish completes your color palette by adding depth. Consider these finishes when painting nursery walls:
- Eggshell – With just a gentle sheen, this is a classic, durable finish for nurseries.
- Satin – Silky satin has a light reflective quality that makes colors luminous.
- Matte – Flat matte paint muters colors beautifully and minimizes imperfections.
- Semi-gloss – Glossy semi-gloss adds dimension but requires more careful prep.
Flat or matte finishes do best at hiding scuffs and imperfections that may come with curious toddlers. But any finish can work beautifully. Combining finishes like glossy windows with a matte wall adds stylish dimension.
What are the best materials and fabrics to coordinate?
Tying all your nursery elements together cohesively is key. Consider these materials that complement popular nursery color schemes:
| Color Scheme | Coordinating Materials and Fabrics |
|---|---|
| Gray and Yellow | White oak wood, wicker accents, cotton, wool |
| Pink and Gold | Brass metals, velvet, animal prints |
| Green and Brown | Natural unstained wood, suede, denim |
| Purple and Turquoise | Wool knits, terra cotta, macrame |
Pull colors from your wall palette into plush rugs, cozy bedding, storage baskets and window treatments for a complete look.
How do I transition the nursery into a big kid room?
Your baby won’t stay a baby forever. Here are tips for transitioning a nursery into a big kid space:
- Repaint walls in muted, gender neutral hues like gray, tan or denim blue.
- Replace cribs with toddler beds then upgrade to twin or full beds.
- Swap changing tables for dressers and bookshelves.
- Add a play table, art table or desk for homeworks.
- Bring in storage solutions like cubbies, chests and under-bed drawers.
- Add personality with bold patterns, colorful textiles and artwork.
- Invest in new window treatments like breezy linen curtains.
With some new furniture, fresh paint colors, fun storage solutions and personalized accents, your nursery can seamlessly grow with your child from baby to tween.
Conclusion
Choosing colors for your baby’s nursery is both exciting and meaningful. The right hues can create an uplifting space your child will enjoy as they grow. Follow general color psychology along with your own intuition to develop a palette that promotes happiness and healthy development within your unique nursery design. With some care and creativity, you can design a color scheme that will keep your baby’s room feeling fresh, stimulating and inviting for years to come.
