26 Adorable (and Actually Chic) Ways to Decorate Your Baby's Nursery

Interior designer Devin Kirk decorated his family's Chicago apartment in a way that allows for growth and embraces change, so he opted for a modern and mature nursery design that still feels playful. Black and white striped wallpaper create a visual link to the rest of the home and feel both youthful and polished. The mobile doubles as modern art.

Cozy textures, warm neutrals, and tons of natural light were the focus of this nursery that designer Leanne Ford created in her own home. All the furniture is a mix of vintage items and pieces from her collection with Crate & Kids.

In this baby's room designed by Tasmin Johnson, the timeless pieces—like the ottoman and chair set, framed photographs, and traditional dresser—give the room a refined edge that will age well. To balance it out, she chose a whimsical pendant light.

Heidi Caillier used an unexpected color scheme in this nursery but kept all the furniture and textiles traditional for a balanced whole. The mix of patterns dazzles the eye enough to enchant a baby but will surely age nicely and work well in an older kid's room or as a home office, should the family decide to repurpose the space later.

Designer Jean Stoffer says painting the ceiling and walls the same color "is a way to really level up your design." Here, she opted for a deep forest green tone that plays up the view of trees outside and makes for the perfect place to slumber (a must in a nursery). The pocket door doesn't eat into the floor space and makes checking in on your little one easier.

Modern lighting and a crisp gold and white color scheme make this nursery designed by Tamsin Johnson feel decidedly modern, but the classic molding, hardwood floors, and dramatic curtains give it a flair of old-world royalty.

Designer David Kaihoi transformed this one-bedroom apartment into a family home, so if you're looking for small-space solutions and need to share a room with your young child, look no further. This little trundle bed tucks right back under the bed when it isn't in use, "first thing in the morning," says Kaihoi. And they use that windowsill as a bedside table.

Floor-to-floor carpeting is a great way to help absorb sound and also give your feet a soft landing, perfect for a cozy nursery. Designer Heidi Caillier also opted for matching curtain and lampshade fabric and wallpaper in a romantic print, which only adds to the sweetness of the space. An antique pendant is a timeless cherry on top.

"I love to do nurseries that avoid motifs and color palettes that a baby can outgrow in a few short years," designer Janie Molster says of this bright and fun nursery.

Ashley Whittaker played with an arboreal theme throughout this ranch-style home, so she continued following that thread in the nursery with Brunschwig & Fils tree-printed wallpaper, but chose a soothing blue-gray color scheme for a twist. The shiny painted ceiling looks like a happy, expansive sky, which is the perfect thing for a baby to see when he or she looks up.

Contained by gold-leaf borders, the flowers climbing up the walls of designer Marie Flanigan's newborn daughter's room are actually mural wallpaper. Today, the daybed is "a cozy spot for late-night feedings, but one day it'll be her big-girl bed, with a trundle for sleepovers," the Houston designer says. Stylish, ageless, multi-purpose furniture is always a good investment.

"There's a hidden door in the nursery that goes into a
portion of the master closet so that you have direct access to the master. Perfect for a late-night run to the nursery," says the designer behind this home, April Tomlin. Practical genius aside, the shapes and motifs inspire whimsy.

Studio DB transformed this corner into a happy, practical changing station by framing it with a cheerful gallery wall , floating shelves, and plush animal mount. Opt for a changing table with drawers instead of open shelves to tuck away unsightly essentials and anchor the space with a neutral yellow hue.

In this adorable nursery designed by Chango & Co, the lucite shelving unit is shaped like a dollhouse. There are so many fun options out there that can make even something ordinary (in this case, a shelving unit), into something exciting and inspiring.

Your crib doesn't have to be plain white or wood. We're loving the modern black border of the crib in this nursery designed by Amber Interiors. The layers of plush rugs, whimsical wallpaper, and ceiling-high linen curtains soften up the space. But most importantly, never underestimate storage in a nursery. Baskets and bins are a good option and can be repurposed as the child grows.

Photographer Gray Milan and his husband Jeff Richardson have two glider sin their nursery suite. This way, there's story time is a family affair. If space allows, bring in two rocking chairs or slide up an extra stool—it's particularly handy for parents of twins.

This is baby Dove's room in Malin's nursery suite. His pro tip? Upholster your furniture in outdoor fabric or other spill-proof material so it looks like new for longer. A daybed can double as a bed for overnight guests and a place to perch while the kids play.

We're digging the use of vibrant, unexpected colors in this nursery designed by Steven Sclaroff. The green background of the wallpaper still feels youthful thanks to the whimsical pattern, and the orange-red carpet adds a surge of energy. The classic armchair and dresser are also going to deliver function and style to the family home for years to come.

Step story time up a notch by adding a little floating shelf library to display all their favorite bedtime books on. Designed by Amber Interiors, the collection of books doubles as decor, animating the white walls.

Keep blankets and towels easy to access with an etagere, a storage ladder, or a towel warmer. In this nursery designed by Cameron Ruppert Interiors, the wood towel rack adds a classic touch while also giving the pretty blankets more time to shine out in the open.