Less Cute, More Chic: The Path to a Sophisticated Nursery
These babies' rooms are effortlessly stylish and just as fun without resorting to cliché colours and motifs
That nesting instinct can be all-consuming before an expectant mother brings home baby, but there’s no reason the nursery has to go overboard on the cute factor. A soothing palette and more sophisticated theme can be easier on the eyes than garish primary colours, and pastel shades are far from original. When it comes to themes, trains, animals, fairies and fish are nice, but why not go for something a little more unique? There’s no time like the present to breed good taste and no reason a baby’s room should be any less stylish than the rest of the house! And any baby is sure to love sophisticated decor just as much as they would if you’d gone the colourful and cute route. These chic nurseries are sure to provide inspiration.
Employ an Eames
If you want to add a sophisticated edge to the nursery, look no further than an Eames rocking chair. Being able to rock the baby to sleep while seated is just a bonus.
TIP: Instead of going overboard on a jungle or safari animal theme, introduce it in a more abstract way. In this Sydney terrace, a zebra-inspired rug suggests rather than shouts a safari theme. The same colour palette of black, white, natural timber and yellow has been used throughout the home.
Take a look around this house
If you want to add a sophisticated edge to the nursery, look no further than an Eames rocking chair. Being able to rock the baby to sleep while seated is just a bonus.
TIP: Instead of going overboard on a jungle or safari animal theme, introduce it in a more abstract way. In this Sydney terrace, a zebra-inspired rug suggests rather than shouts a safari theme. The same colour palette of black, white, natural timber and yellow has been used throughout the home.
Take a look around this house
Pale grey, white and light natural timber dominate in this room, but it works beautifully as a baby room with a few key elements: the Eames chair (of course) adds upmarket style, the oversized light fitting adds a focal point, and as you’ll see in the next photo of the same room, simple silhouettes add just enough interest to make it adorable.
Trojan horse: OOTS!
Use wallpaper well
Subtle tones are so soothing on the eyes – isn’t that the kind of environment we should strive for to more easily lull baby off to sleep? Just because soft beige and white are the only tones that come into play in this room doesn’t make it any less fun thanks to the starry wallpaper and framed bunny print … even if the bunny does have her back to us.
Lucky Star Walk wallpaper in ‘Rain’: Just Kids Wallpaper
Subtle tones are so soothing on the eyes – isn’t that the kind of environment we should strive for to more easily lull baby off to sleep? Just because soft beige and white are the only tones that come into play in this room doesn’t make it any less fun thanks to the starry wallpaper and framed bunny print … even if the bunny does have her back to us.
Lucky Star Walk wallpaper in ‘Rain’: Just Kids Wallpaper
The ‘Baby Elephant Walk’ wallpaper in this nursery is cute, but in an oh-so subtle way, and wallpaper in the same tones has made its way up onto the ceiling, too. The texture and detail come together in a way that doesn’t feel forced and there’s little need for the use of bright colours – it’s lovely just as it is.
TIP: If you’ve decorated the room using neutral colours, display select items on stylish shelving to add small dollops of colour and personality to the room.
Mini library shelving unit: Oeuf
TIP: If you’ve decorated the room using neutral colours, display select items on stylish shelving to add small dollops of colour and personality to the room.
Mini library shelving unit: Oeuf
Extend the wallpaper into the wardrobe for double the fun.
Don’t overdo it
Leaving the walls white means the room can easily adapt as your child grows. A few simple details and splashes of delicate colour are enough to create tasteful surrounds that are easy on the eyes.
Leaving the walls white means the room can easily adapt as your child grows. A few simple details and splashes of delicate colour are enough to create tasteful surrounds that are easy on the eyes.
Put framed pictures to work
Bright pictures of animals, cars, dolls and fairies have their place, but thinking outside the square can bring in some refined style. Frame geometric prints …
Bright pictures of animals, cars, dolls and fairies have their place, but thinking outside the square can bring in some refined style. Frame geometric prints …
… set simple silhouettes against a chevron backdrop …
… or opt for a reverse silhouette. The framed prints in this room make it playful without being overly babyish.
Vitra Eames elephant: Design Public
Vitra Eames elephant: Design Public
Framed quotes can also be an inspiring choice. This nursery has a ‘world traveller’ theme.
See more of Marley’s nursery
See more of Marley’s nursery
Dazzle with lovely lighting
Lighting is a simple but effective way of setting the tone in any nursery. With its earthy tones and graceful lines, this Malibu chandelier could work just as well in a smart living room. It complements the soft tones of this elegant nursery nicely, and gives the space a more worldy feel.
Lighting is a simple but effective way of setting the tone in any nursery. With its earthy tones and graceful lines, this Malibu chandelier could work just as well in a smart living room. It complements the soft tones of this elegant nursery nicely, and gives the space a more worldy feel.
Just as glass chandeliers add elegance to dining rooms, living areas, bedrooms and even bathrooms, the same is true in a nursery.
YOUR SAY
Do you love these nurseries or do you think babies’ rooms should be cute and colourful? Share your opinions in the Comments.
MORE
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YOUR SAY
Do you love these nurseries or do you think babies’ rooms should be cute and colourful? Share your opinions in the Comments.
MORE
Bringing Home Baby: 16 Nursery Essentials to Tick Off Your List
Boy, Oh Boy! Imaginative, Chic and Oh-So-Fun Themes for Boys’ Nurseries
Girl Meets World: Sweet, Stylish and Unexpected Girls’ Nursery Themes
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Grey is a chic alternative to the bold blues and reds and pretty pastels we’re used to seeing. Pair grey with a wide yellow stripe and it’s anything but boring (especially when the room has extra-cool furnishings and a flower rug to soften any hard edges). Grey paired with pink or red is also a winning colour combo that works just as well in a nursery as it does in the rest of the house.