A nursery is the first room of your child’s life so there’s good reason why you want it to be special. After all, it’s the room where you both will spend a lot of time for a few years to come — you want to decorate it in a way that will flourish with your child. If you’re wondering how to design a nursery that will do just that, Hotline and design expert Michelle Agnelo has you covered.
From design tips to furniture and decor suggestions, here are some simple tips to create a space that can easily transition as your kids grow.
Choose Furniture That Can Adapt to Your Child’s Evolving Needs
It’s important to consider investing in furniture that will adapt and grow with your little one’s evolving needs. Not only does this save you money as your child transitions from the newborn stage up until the toddler stage but if you have a small space, it serves as a multifunctional piece that doesn’t take up much room.
A good piece could be a change table that can easily turn into a dresser at the bottom once your child is past the baby stage.
Additionally, opt for larger-style seating to provide comfort during the newborn phase and as you spend quality time with your growing child. This can be a comfortable chair, a loveseat, a nursery glider or a bigger ottoman. It may become your favourite spot in the room for story time, feedings and more.
Related: How to Transform Your Small Nursery Room for Under $100
Consider Good Quality Furniture Made From Non-Toxic Materials
Aside from furniture that provides comfort and aesthetics, Michelle recommends going with good-quality pieces that are made from non-toxic materials. “Looking for a green guard or Oeko-tex certified label when shopping is a really easy way to do this and ensure there are no harmful finishes or off-gassing in your child’s space,” Michelle explains.
Pro Tip: Off-gassing refers to the airborne smell of chemicals. Simply put, when you smell a product, it’s off-gassing — which generally happens most when a product is new. So choose natural fibres and furniture that are naturally fire-resistant.
Opt for Neutral Wall Selections
Go for neutral wall selections like wallpaper and paint. Beige, white, browns and pastels have been an ongoing nursery trend. While neutral tones can still incorporate some colour on the walls like grey, beige or sage green, softer tones and earthy shades are more versatile for adding and pairing new decor down the road. To add some personality to the room, inject colour with easily interchangeable textiles like bedding, rugs or drapes.
Speaking of drapes, blackout or room-darkening window coverings can double as a design element and can actually help your child. “Not only is it super helpful in the early days for nap time, but also during the sunnier months with older kids when light can interfere with bedtime. My favourite combo is a blackout-lined automatic Roman shade with complimentary drapes layered,” Michelle suggests.
Related: Nursery Trends for 2025 We Can’t Get Enough Of
Incorporate Imagination-Play Pieces
A cozy nook, reading chair, storybook corner, play kitchen or an arts and crafts table provides longevity into your child’s toddler years. They can play, learn and develop more social and imaginative skills within the comforts of their own room. As kids grow fast, this is a great way to update their nursery without having to worry about where to keep certain pieces as they grow older.
Pro Tip: If you’re designing with a theme in mind, focus on incorporating elements like mobiles, wall art, baskets and lighting, which are non-permanent. These items can be easily removed or swapped out as you or your baby’s preferences for the room evolve.
Related: 10 Kids’ Room Bookshelves to Buy for Your Little Scholar
Involve Your Child in the Room Design
As your child grows, consider involving them in their room design. You can let them choose items from a predetermined shortlist of options you created and approved. This fosters a sense of ownership and allows them to express their preferences within some boundaries set by their parents.
If shelving is part of the design — specifically book or toy shelves, Michelle recommends hanging them lower than you normally might so that they can be within reach for kiddos to grab. You can also let them decorate and fill the shelves themselves with their favourite books, toys and decor pieces.
Don’t forget to check back with Hotline for more answers to your burning questions about real estate, design, home organization and all things DIY.
