You and your baby spend a lot of time in their nursery, so it’s important to create a calm, inviting environment. During tummy time sessions or late-night feedings, you want to feel as relaxed as possible so you can focus on the needs of your little one. Plus, a serene nursery promotes sleep, which is critically important during the first few months of your newborn’s life.

With so many nursery decor decisions to make, it can be difficult to know which areas to focus on to create a cozy setting. Luckily, regardless of your budget, there are plenty of different ways to create a cozy nursery atmosphere. Explore some easy and effective ways to ensure your child’s bedroom is a beautiful sanctuary for years to come.

Soft Fabrics

One of the most important steps in creating a cozy nursery is filling the room with soft fabrics. From drapes to blankets to pillows, an abundance of textiles creates an inviting space where you’ll want to sit down and relax. Fabrics with a bit of texture also add an extra layer of dimension to your nursery design. Plus, your little one will love touching different materials, such as velour and sherpa, while you’re snuggled together for storytime.

If you strategically use soft fabrics, you can add a warmness to the nursery. Since you’re spending so much time in the room, especially during the first few months, it’s important both you and your baby feel comfortable. If you have a glider or rocking chair, add a plush throw or an overstuffed pillow to make those sleepless nights slightly more bearable.

Comfortable Furniture

You spend a lot of time holding your baby for feedings, storytime, and cuddle sessions, so take some time to thoughtfully consider your furniture choices. You can design a cozy nook in the nursery by positioning a chair and ottoman in the corner. Whether you prefer a rocking chair, glider, or armchair, the key is to make sure you enjoy sitting in it.

Since some nursery seating options can look a bit uninspired, you can opt for a slipcovered or skirted piece to elevate the style of the room. Not to mention, a slipcovered chair can be easily cleaned by removing the cover and throwing it in the washing machine. Spit-up and other messes are a common occurrence with newborns, so it’s nice to have quick and effective cleaning options.

Plush Floor Covering

Another way to create a cozy nursery atmosphere is to incorporate a plush floor covering. If you have hardwood floors, choose a large area rug to place in the center of the room. Since this space will likely become a play area, you’ll want to carefully consider the rug’s texture. Look for a material that is soft for your baby’s sensitive skin and won’t cause irritation.

Keep in mind that a lower pile rug makes cleaning easier. You won’t need to spend a lot of time vacuuming crumbs or other small pieces of dirt that are lodged in the rug. Smaller sheepskin rugs are another great way to add texture and coziness to your nursery. You can scatter these rugs throughout the room and sit on them to play with toys, read books, or sing songs together.

Natural Lighting

You can instantly increase the cozy vibes of your nursery by using lighting to your advantage. During your baby’s daytime awake periods, allow as much natural light as possible to shine throughout the room. Bright sunlight provides a serotonin boost for both you and your little one. Your play sessions will be much happier if you don’t obstruct the natural light.

In terms of additional lighting sources, do your best to avoid using overhead lighting as much as possible. Instead, opt for floor lamps and table lamps. Overhead lights can be extremely harsh and create a sterile atmosphere. When your baby is lying on their back for a diaper change, staring at a bright ceiling light is not a particularly soothing experience.

Lightbulbs are another important consideration when creating a serene space. Utilize dimmable and soft white bulbs whenever possible—you can instantly negate the cozy effects of a floor lamp or table lamp by using bright LED lightbulbs. Soothing ambient light is also crucial during middle-of-the-night feedings or diaper changes to keep your baby as sleepy as possible.

A Soothing Color Palette

The colors you incorporate throughout the nursery play a big part in designing a warm atmosphere. In general, you’ll want to use pastel or light neutral colors to keep you and your baby relaxed. A good rule of thumb is to utilize colors found in nature, such as sky blue or light green. These tones set the mood for a restful experience.

Although you can add bright pops of color with decor and accessories, you’ll want most of the space to feature calming hues. If you decide to paint the walls neon pink, it will be overstimulating for your baby and make it harder for them to settle down and fall asleep. Instead, find your favorite soothing color scheme and create a cozy nursery your baby will fully enjoy.

Personalized Decor

Adding meaningful decor items to your nursery is a great way to make the room feel comfortable and personalized. For a special touch, hang family photos or display special heirlooms throughout the room. Once you add your one-of-a-kind items, the space will instantly feel homier and more cohesive.

Another unique way to add an element of personalization to the nursery is by hanging your child’s name or monogram above their crib. You can create an instant focal point with a wooden name sign in a fun font and color. You can even hang a gallery wall of special photos around the sign. By showcasing special mementos or pieces of artwork in the nursery, you’ll make it feel warm and inviting.

Functional Storage

Since babies require a lot of stuff, you’ll want to have plenty of functional storage solutions scattered throughout the nursery. Take advantage of vertical space by installing floating shelves to display books, special keepsakes, and photos.

You can also discreetly store toys in pretty baskets on the floor or in dresser drawers. Although it’s nice for the room to have a lived-in feel, you don’t need to always see every item. If everything has a home, it’s easier to keep the nursery clean and tidy. Plus, you won’t need to spend a lot of time cleaning up at the end of the day, because you’ll know where everything belongs.

At Simply Nursery, we create beautiful furniture designed to make your nursery cozy and functional. Our modern nursery dressers are made with sustainable, nontoxic materials. Regardless of your decor style, you can find a chest of drawers to perfectly fit your space. Our natural wood furniture is sturdy and designed to stand the test of time; browse our selection to find the perfect piece for your dream nursery today!