Staring at an empty nursery wondering where to start? I've been there twice, and here's what I found helpful: Start with the art first, then build everything else around it.
This approach gives you a clear focal point and instantly solves your biggest design challenges – color palette, theme direction, and what furniture will actually work together.
Why Art Should Be Your Starting Point
When I designed my first son's nursery, I made the classic mistake: I bought the crib, then the rug, then tried to find art that matched. Nothing looked right together.
For my second? I started with a single print I loved. Suddenly, I had:
- A defined color palette pulled directly from the artwork
- Clear theme direction without being too literal
- A natural focal point that tied the room together
- Flexibility to use neutral furniture I could repurpose later
The best part? You don't need expensive pieces. Most of the art in my examples below is from Minted and the furniture is from affordable sources like IKEA and Target.
Important safety note: Before you start decorating, read our guide on Setting Up a Safe Sleep Space to make sure your beautiful nursery is also safe.
10 Nursery Themes Built Around Art
I've put together these examples to show you exactly how this works. Notice how the art establishes the theme, but not everything in the room is theme-specific – that's intentional. Mixing in neutrals and textures makes the themed elements stand out more.
1. Jungle Adventure Nursery
The art: I chose this adventure print because it works without being too literal. You can interpret "jungle" loosely here.
Animal accuracy: I'm particular about animal accuracy, so no giraffes in jungle themes for me (they're savanna animals). But you do you – if a giraffe looks good to you, use it.
Design strategy: I kept the big-ticket items neutral – the glider, that washable Keith Haring rug – so they can move to other rooms as your child grows.
- Art: Minted adventure print
- Crib: IKEA
- Crib Sheet: Little Unicorn
- Pillow: Amazon
- Glider: Target
- Pikler Triangle: Target
- Rug: Ruggable (machine washable!)
- Basket: Target
2. Rainbow Nursery (Soft Sunshower Vibes)
I almost went bright and bold here, but I'm glad I didn't. Keeping the walls and large furniture neutral lets the rainbows become the stars of the room.
Why this works: Every piece can transition to a different room or theme later. That rocker? Perfect for your living room in three years.
- Art: Minted rainbow print
- Crib sheet: Copper Pearl
- Crib: IKEA
- Rocking Chair: Walmart
- Pillow: Minted
- Rug: Target
- Rainbow stacker: Target
- Book Bench: IKEA
3. Woodland Creatures Nursery
These woodland prints feel more sophisticated than typical baby art – they'll grow with your child into the toddler years and beyond.
Funny story: I found these incredible $20,000 handmade rugs by Alexandra Kehayoglou while researching this theme. Then I remembered I'd be playing "poo or chocolate?" on the floor for the next five years and picked the $60 Target rug instead.
Plant safety warning: That tree in the photo is fake. Real ficus is toxic to kids. If you want something living, try a parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – it's non-toxic and low-maintenance.
- Art: Minted woodland creature prints
- Crib: IKEA
- Plant: Amazon (artificial)
- Triangle Chair: Minted
- Storage Baskets: Pottery Barn Kids
- Deer: Melissa and Doug
- Rug: Target
4. Space Exploration Nursery
This theme tested my restraint. You could go completely overboard with space stuff, but I wanted to show how a little goes a long way.
My favorite detail: Those star-punch blackout curtains. During the day, light shines through the star cutouts. At night, they block everything for better sleep.
- Art: Minted space print
- Crib: IKEA
- Rug: Lowes (has a Jupiter vibe to me)
- Crib sheet: Copper Pearl
- Moon Lamp: Amazon
- Star punch blackout curtains: Amazon
- Personalized floor pillow: Minted
- Rocking Chair: Target
5. Dinosaur Discovery Nursery
The key here: let the details reflect the theme, not necessarily the large pieces. This approach means you're not locked into dinosaurs forever.
Why I love this print: It's educational and would look perfectly fine on a 10-year-old's wall. No baby vibes to outgrow.
Design choice: The textured rug reminded me of scales, and those dinosaur drawer pulls from Etsy are easy to swap out when you redecorate.
- Art: Minted dinosaur print
- Crib: IKEA
- Crib Sheet: Copper Pearl
- Glider: buybuy Baby
- Rug: Lowes
- Dinosaur: Melissa and Doug
- Storage Basket: Target
- Drawer Pulls: Etsy
6. Safari Grasslands Nursery
Finally, I got to use my giraffe! (They actually live in savannas, not jungles.)
Color story: The animal prints inspired that plum accent color, which contrasts beautifully with the warm yellows and grassy textures.
Confession: Did I get hung up on the tiger print? Yes. Did I spend way too long looking at the range of the natural habitat of tigers and then decide that I should donate money for their preservation rather than hand wringing about their decor accuracy? Also yes.
- Art: Minted safari prints
- Lamp: Amazon (grassland-inspired)
- Crib Sheet: Copper Pearl
- Triangle Chair: Minted
- Rug: Target
- Pouf: Target
- Storage Basket: Target
- Giraffe: Melissa and Doug
7. Ocean Waves Nursery
Ocean themes can go many directions – nautical, beach, sea creatures. I focused on water, whales, and waves for a calming effect.
Color flexibility: This whale print has both blue and sea green, giving you options to pull different colors into the room.
- Art: Minted whale print
- Crib: IKEA
- Crib Sheet: Pottery Barn Kids
- Rocking Chair: Target
- Pouf: Target
- Wooden Whale Puzzle: Etsy
- Personalized Pillow: Minted
8. Colorful Mountain Nursery
Most mountain nurseries lean heavily toward gray. When I found this colorful mountain print, I knew it would be a refreshing take on the theme.
Design bonus: The triangular mountain shapes tie into other triangular elements throughout the room.
About that bear: I originally included a large standing bear, but it looked vaguely threatening. This roly-poly version is much friendlier for a baby's room.
- Art: Minted mountain print
- Crib: IKEA
- Crib Sheet: Copper Pearl
- Rocking chair: Target
- Wooden Shelves: Target
- Stuffed Bear: Amazon
- Rug: Target
- Pillow: Minted
9. Classic Disney Mickey Nursery
Disney gives you endless options, but this graphic Mickey print felt timeless to me – old-school cool without being too baby-specific.
Subtle touches: That chair isn't Disney merchandise, but the round back has a mouse-ear vibe. And that Mickey rug? Machine washable. "That sure is swell!"
- Art: Minted Disney print
- Crib Sheet: Target
- Mickey Mouse: Disney Store
- Rocking Chair: Target
- Rug: Ruggable (machine washable)
- Clock: Pottery Barn Kids
10. Bright & Neutral Nursery
Let's be clear: no room has a gender. I would have loved dinosaurs or space as a kid.
But if you want a calm, universally appealing space, try a colorful print surrounded by neutrals. This alphabet watercolor gives you visual interest without overwhelming the senses.
Product note: That play gym is from Lovevery – read our full hands-on review here.
- Art: Minted alphabet watercolor print
- Crib: IKEA
- Plant: Amazon
- Rocking Chair: Target
- Storage Basket: Target
- Rug: Target
- Playgym: Lovevery
- Crib sheet: Target
Your Next Steps
Designing these rooms reminded me why I love this approach – it takes the guesswork out of decorating. (Even if you spend way too much time researching moon textures and tiger habitats.)
Ready to start your own nursery?
- Find one piece of art you genuinely love
- Pull 2-3 colors from it for your palette
- Keep large furniture neutral so you can use it later
- Add themed details through smaller, changeable items
I'd love to see what you create! Tag me @pregnantchicken on Instagram to share your nursery.
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Amy has been writing about pregnancy and parenting since 2010. As a mom of two boys and former creative director, she's obsessed over countless nurseries and knows firsthand that starting with art makes the whole process easier.
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