Choosing the perfect color for a baby’s nursery is an exciting part of preparing for the arrival of your little one. The color you choose can have an impact on your baby’s mood and development. When selecting a wall color, it’s important to consider factors like the purpose of the room, your baby’s gender, safety and ease of upkeep. By taking all of these things into account, you can pick the ideal shade to paint your baby’s walls.
Consider the Purpose of the Nursery
First, think about how you plan to use the nursery. Will it be a place where baby sleeps, plays, or both? Here are some common nursery purposes and corresponding color suggestions:
- Sleeping Space – Soothing neutral shades like off-white, beige, light yellow, or pale blue are calming choices that promote sleep.
- Play Space – Opt for brighter tones like light green, soft yellow, or sky blue to create an upbeat mood.
- Multipurpose Room – Look for a versatile neutral like light gray that isn’t overstimulating but also isn’t too boring.
Keep in mind that darker paint colors can make a room feel smaller, while lighter hues open up the space. This is an important consideration for nurseries, which are often on the smaller side.
Consider Your Baby’s Gender
You may or may not want to paint your baby’s room in traditionally gendered colors. Here are some popular shade choices based on a baby’s sex:
- Boy – Blue is a classic for baby boys. Look for soft Robin’s egg blue or calming navy. You can also incorporate boyish colors like sage green, dark yellow, or orange.
- Girl – For girls, soft pink and purple reign supreme. However, any pastel color like mint green, buttery yellow, or light gray make great girl nursery colors too.
- Gender Neutral – Stick with neutral shades like white, beige, gray, or green for a room suitable for any baby.
Painting your nursery based on gender is completely optional. Don’t feel limited by traditional color associations if you have something else in mind for your baby’s space.
Consider Safety and Durability
When dealing with babies, safety should always come first. Here are some wise color choices from a safety perspective:
- Light Colors – Pale shades show dirt and stains so you can immediately spot any mess that requires cleaning for sanitary reasons.
- Natural Colors – Organic hues like beige, tan, and light green are soothing and promote feelings of wellness.
- Low VOC Paint – Choose low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint that is free from toxic chemicals and fumes.
It’s also smart to select a durable paint finish that can stand up to cleaning and abuse. Some good options include:
- Eggshell – With just a subtle sheen, this finish conceals flaws while still being wipeable.
- Satin – More durable than flat paint, satin resists stains better with its light gloss.
- Semi-Gloss – The most reflective finish, semi-gloss is ideal for high-traffic nursery walls that need frequent cleaning.
Factor in Ease of Maintenance
Babies can be messy, so the finish you choose should also make your nursery walls easy to clean and touch up when needed. Here are some smart choices:
- Washable Flat Paint – Although flat finish lacks shine, today’s paint formulations clean up well and some are even scrubbable.
- Darker Colors – Deep shades like navy blue or dark green hide scuffs, dirt and other imperfections better than light hues.
- Durable Finishes – As mentioned already, pick a sturdy eggshell, satin or semi-gloss sheen that repels stains.
Stick with quality paint in a durable finish and you’ll be able to easily wipe away little handprints and maintain clean nursery walls.
The Best Nursery Wall Colors
Now that we’ve covered the main factors to consider, here is a summary of the top nursery wall color options:
| Color | Key Benefits |
|---|---|
| Light or soft green | Soothing natural tone, gender neutral |
| Pale or sky blue | Calming, boyish yet versatile |
| Light or buttery yellow | Warm and cheerful but not overstimulating |
| Beige | Natural neutral that opens up room |
| Light or heather gray | Relaxing and sophisticated, blends with any decor |
You really can’t go wrong with a muted, lighter shade of color. The specific hue you choose comes down to personal preference based on the mood you want to create in your baby’s nursery. Softer colors are ideal for promoting tranquility and sleep, while light warm tones add a gentle vibrancy. Just steer clear of bright primaries and harsh neons which can overstimulate your little one.
Complementary Accents and Furnishings
The nursery wall color you choose doesn’t have to do all the work on its own. Thoughtfully selected accents and decor in complementary hues can add depth and bring your whole design scheme together. Here are some ideas for accessories to pair with popular nursery wall colors:
- Green walls – Accent with yellow, brown, white, gray
- Blue walls – Accent with yellow, gray, white, brown
- Yellow walls – Accent with green, gray, white
- Gray walls – Accent with yellow, green, blue
- White/beige walls – Accent with any color
Your baby bedding, rugs, window treatments, storage and other decorative elements can inject extra visual interest and pull your wall color into the rest of the room. Just take care not to go overboard with stimulating patterns and colors.
Set the Mood You Want
Ultimately, the nursery is your personal space to design however you please. While neutral shades are always a safe bet, don’t be afraid to get creative. Paint an accent wall in a bolder hue or adorn the room with vibrant artwork. Use color strategically to set the mood you envision for your nursery. Energizing yellows and greens foster an upbeat play space, while serene blues and grays create a relaxing oasis. Find a color palette that excites you and suits your baby’s personality.
Test Paint Swatches
Whatever color you lean towards, it’s wise to test out a few swatches first. Paint colors look different on tiny samples than they do covering full walls. Paint large 2-foot squares directly on your nursery walls, let them dry completely and view at different times/lighting. This will give you a good idea of how the hue will really look before committing to painting the entire room. Test swatches also allow you to try out a few color options to find your favorite.
Conclusion
When choosing the perfect color for your baby’s nursery walls, it’s hard to go wrong with a soft neutral like green, blue, yellow, grey or beige. These muted tones stimulate your little one just enough while still providing a calm environment conducive to sleep and play. Avoid bright primary colors and harsh neons. Complement your wall color with decor and accents in analogous hues. Don’t be afraid to paint test swatches to find the ideal shade to set the mood you want. With so many sweet options, have fun picking that special color that both you and baby will love.
