Decorating the nursery can be one of the funnest parts of having a baby, because you get to create your own little paradise of cuteness! That being said, it's best to select a theme to stick to. As you do so, you can enhance the look and feel you're going for with a few well-chosen accents.
What are accents, you ask? Perhaps a matching lamp, corresponding curtains, or a whimsical portrait or mobile. There's no limit to what you can create, especially since so many brands offer countless products to mix and match. Here are some our favorite nursery themes:1. Animal Theme
Most kids love animals, if not the same kind of animals. That's why themes are so much fun, because you still have so many options with animals alone. Consider a nautical theme with ocean life accents, or a safari theme with plenty of chaparral-type stuffed animals to complete the look. Our Mary Meyer plush animal collection has anything from zebras and elephants to cuddly bears. Luckily, each animal is designed to be snuggly, soft, and comforting so you don't have to worry about getting your little one overstimulated by too many bright colors.
Correspond the toys and comfort animals with nursery bedding, like this Petit Pehr Noah's Ark Crib Sheet. The animal theme provides lots to learn as your child grows, and we all know how much fun it is to teach animal noises to our sweet babes.
2. School Theme
Learning is a constant activity for young children, but some parents really enjoy "getting ahead" with nursery decor that teaches letters and numbers from the get-go. As you use this theme in your child's room, you can be reminded of the beauty of learning and how each new piece of knowledge is a treasure indeed.
Choose a soothing background for your baby to fall asleep to with alphabet-designs. Some block letters spelling their name or letter blocks are also a cute accent for the dresser, changing table, or shelf to complete the look.
3. Whimsical Theme
Whimsical can mean a lot of different things, but the beauty of this theme is that you don't have to feel too restricted. Shapes AND letters? You're fine! Animals WITH polka dots? You're covered. If you like to think outside the box and mix and match, the whimsical theme is the one for you!
Start with something basic like this Petit Pehr Grey Dots Crib Sheet. Then, add splashes of color elsewhere for a balanced look throughout the room. Whimsy is a great theme for gender-neutral nurseries, so you have room to expand the look once baby is born. Try hanging this adorable quilt on the wall with a Petit Pehr Merry Go Round Mobile to add some spice.
If you're struggling to tie a room together, try one of our muted Lorena Canal Washable Rugs. Or, if you love storage that's also adorable, invest in several sizes of the Petit Pehr storage baskets, like this Pom Pom Mini Storage Bin that goes perfectly with the Merry Go Round Mobile mentioned above.
In the end, make your child's nursery what you want it to be. Whether you want to go all-boy and plaster car paraphernalia everywhere or want some simple muted tones with fun accents here and there, the choice is yours. Just remember to choose a design that you can add to and alter as they grow. The best part is when you move them into a toddler bed--it's like the perfect excuse to buy a new bedding set all over again!