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From colour drenching to scenic murals.
Whether you've got a little one on the way and don't want to find out the sex beforehand, or perhaps you just prefer the calming nature of pared-back hues, a neutral scheme will lend a timeless touch to any nursery.
It's no secret that subtle neutrals are in (we're all loving the quiet luxury look) and the popularity of warm neutrals adds a lovely depth and character to a room. A neutral nursery will mean you won't need to keep repainting your child's room when styles and trends change. Instead, a neutral backdrop will allow you to simply switch out accessories and change accent colours when you fancy a refresh.
Naturally, a neutral nursery is one of the best ways to keep the room soothing and serene while still creating visual interest. Here, we've worked alongside the experts to reveal the best neutral nursery ideas for 2023.
Why choose one paint colour when you can choose three? The combination of white and grey, with a solid block of pale green, not only adds definition to this room but helps to zone the shelf area with the addition of a muted ochre line.
'Warm neutrals and beiges wrapped around a nursery on their own can feel a little pedestrian. To banish the bland, it’s a good idea to layer a few neutrals together – add some subtle pops of delicate colour and bring some texture through furnishings and accessories,' says Stephanie King, creative lead at Dulux.
Pictured: Dusted Moss 2 Paint from Dulux
When adding playfulness to a space, introducing some considered colour goes a long way – especially in a nursery where you'll naturally want to infuse some energy. Colour blocking with punchy shades, such as this saffron yellow, will give just enough bite to a more subtle backdrop.
'Yellow is a colour associated with happiness and fun, however, it's important to choose a shade of yellow that is not too bright or stimulating for your young child,' warns Sarah Lloyd, interiors and paint specialist at Valspar Paint. 'A dark shade of yellow will provide the perfect pop of colour for your little one’s room.'
Pictured: Saffron Sunset Paint from Valspar Paint
Create a woodland-inspired landscape in your baby's nursery with patterned wallpaper. To achieve a soothing, natural look, choose a design that's brimming with woodland creatures and leafy motifs, as pictured here. Ground the scheme with wooden accents, white furniture and grey soft furnishings.
Pictured: Honeywood Bears in Dove, Ohpopsi
Scalloped paint effects are brilliant for nurseries, bringing a playful touch to an otherwise plain wall. It's also a great way to zone areas, such as a cosy reading corner. Create a crisp contrast with white and teal, or soften the look with a muted sage green and accessorise with light, neutral furniture.
Pictured: Iris Sherpa Rocking Chair, Dunelm
A nursery should feel cosy and inviting rather than cold and sterile. For a subtle yet warm look, consider adding a buttery, creamy hue that's almost good enough to eat.
'Soft creams are cute and dreamy in a bedroom nursery,' says Sarah. 'Using a soft cream shade offers a warmer alternative to white, while still helping to keep the space looking bright and cheery. It pairs well with a variety of colours and allows you to be creative within the space.'
Pictured: Concept Toy Vacuum from Taka Tomo
Creating a bright, colourful and serene nursery, with a beautifully painted mural, is a lovely way to bring some art to neutral walls.
'Creating a neutral nursery is all about pairing soft colours with warming textures to create cosiness and peace. Pastels are a wonderful way of bringing a calming feel to a nursery, while simultaneously bringing a lovely pop of colour that brightens the space,' says London based interior designer, Naomi Astley Clarke, 'I also love creating something truly unique to the owner, such as recreating the panorama of someone’s favourite places or memories with scenic walls. I once commissioned a mural where a client’s childhood home is nestled in the lush painted landscape.'
Pictured: Interior design project by Naomi Astley Clarke. Jade Hera Plume Wall Light from Pooky
Vertical stripes naturally guide our eyes upwards, rather than across, creating the illusion of height. Striped wallpaper or painted stripes on a wall will elongate the ceiling height and make the room feel bright and airy.
Embracing stripes in neutral yellow shades is a great way to add some much-needed warmth, as proven here.
Pictured: Bee Happy Wallpaper from I Love Wallpaper. Organic Knitted Moses Basket from The Little Green Sheep
White might seem like the most obvious neutral, but its many tones can inspire a more colourful palette, making it the perfect canvas for additional colour. Choose yellow-based whites for a north-facing room, cooler whites with a blue or green undertone for east-facing spaces, and red-based whites for west-facing rooms. If the nursery has an abundance of natural light, opt for a cool white to balance the warmth of the south-facing light.
'As a mother of boy-girl twins myself, white provided me with the perfect backdrop for a gender-neutral scheme,' says Stephanie. 'I teamed a cool, bright white with pops of black confetti on a feature wall, and used brightly coloured painted doors, skirting and furniture to add energy. Whether you are painting a nursery or not, consider the versatility that the humble white provides.'
Pictured: Concept Lamp from Taka Tomo
If the versatile grey is still your go-to hue, pair with white for a contemporary look that won't date.
'When painted alongside crisp white, using a pale grey shade will keep the space fresh and bright, especially if you have access to plenty of natural sunlight through the window,' explains Sarah.
Pictured: Basket of Bobbins Paint from Valspar Paint
Ceilings, or the 'fifth walls' as we like to call them, are often neglected when designing or refreshing a room. And while ceilings should not be an afterthought in any room, this is especially true for a nursery or playroom.
Enhancing a nursery with a playful ceiling design is a great way to elevate the space and add some fun. Painting a vibrant starburst design onto the ceiling – leaving walls plain for wall hangings and frames – can create an impactful yet considered look, as demonstrated here.
Pictured: Shop children's and nursery furniture at Wayfair
Neutral doesn't have to mean plain. Break up a bland wall by setting colourful dots against a neutral white background. Mini pops of colour will help to brighten the room, adding a hint of playfulness while ensuring the look remains clean and crisp.
For precision, we'd recommend using pre-made wall stickers which simply peel back and stick straight onto the wall. Alternatively, try painting the polka dots onto the wall using a round sponge.
Pictured: Oeuf Rhea Cot Bed in White & Walnut, Cuckooland
Being in the middle of the colour spectrum, green is neither too loud nor too quiet. It's a calming shade that represents nature and renewal, which, naturally, makes it the perfect choice for a neutral space.
'Select a green with a warming yellow undertone to instil a cosy comfort in your child's nursery,' suggests Stephanie. 'My second choice would be to consider a grey/green with smooth, atmospheric qualities to promote a feeling of calm and restfulness in a nursery.'
Pictured: Green Stone from Little Greene
To create a nursery look that's understated yet rustic, consider muted beige shades with a hint of brown. These earthy shades pair beautifully with wooden accents to create a natural, homely appeal.
'Beige is a popular choice for a nursery because of its warm qualities. Beige shades are ideal for a neutral nursery interior as they're soft and soothing, and able to blend with a variety of other colours. When painted on both ceilings and walls in your nursery, it'll create a comforting and calming feel,' says Sarah.
Pictured: Concept Hanging Shelf from Taka Tomo
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