Wall Art for Nurseries
A nursery is one of the most personal rooms you'll ever decorate. You want it to feel magical, calm, and full of warmth — for your baby, yes, but also for you, because you'll be spending a lot of time in there. The right wall art ties the whole room together and gives a sense that this space has been truly thought about. The good news is that nursery art is one of the most joyful decorating decisions you'll make.
What works in Nurseries
Gentle imagery and soft palettes are always the right choice. Nursery art doesn't have to be babyish — it just needs to feel safe, warm, and kind. Animal prints are enduringly popular because young children respond to them instinctively, and they work across ages as the child grows. Look for illustrations or prints with soft lines and gentle colours: sage greens, blush pinks, warm creams, soft blues. These tones are soothing at 3am feeds and still look beautiful in daylight.
Scale: one large print beats a cluttered wall. It can be tempting to fill a nursery wall with lots of small prints, but this tends to feel busy and can be visually overwhelming for a newborn. A single generous print — 16×20″ or 20×28″ — makes more impact and keeps the room feeling calm. If you want more than one piece, try a diptych or set of two prints with a clear visual relationship, rather than mixing unrelated images. Above the cot is the most classic position; centred and hung so that a toddler standing in the cot can enjoy it.
Consider the room's mood across seasons and ages. A nursery often becomes a toddler's room before you know it, so art that has a little playfulness and longevity is a wise investment. Botanical prints, animal illustrations, and gentle abstract shapes all age well. Avoid very trend-driven prints that might feel dated in two years. And think about what the room will look like at night with a soft lamp on — art with warmth and texture will glow beautifully in that low light.
Recommended collections
- Baby Collection — Illustrated animal prints designed specifically for nurseries: gentle, joyful, and built to be loved.
- Botanical Art — Soft leaf and floral prints that bring a sense of nature into the nursery without being overly themed.
- Aura Art — Dreamy, soft-focus prints in pastel tones that create a calm, ethereal atmosphere in any baby room.
Sizing for Nurseries
A standard UK nursery wall (roughly 8–10 feet wide) suits a 16×20″ or 20×24″ print hung above the cot as a focal point. If you have a larger wall or a dedicated accent wall, a 24×32″ piece works beautifully. For above a dresser or changing table, a smaller 12×16″ or paired set of prints fits neatly. Leave plenty of breathing room around the art — nurseries benefit from space and simplicity rather than a filled wall.
Mistakes to avoid
- Glazed or glass-fronted frames in a nursery are not recommended. If a framed print were ever to fall, glass poses a safety risk. Canvas prints — which have no frame or glass — are the safest and most practical choice for rooms where babies and toddlers sleep and play. All of our canvas prints are lightweight and come ready to hang.
- Hanging art directly above the cot using a single hook or temporary adhesive. Use proper wall fixings rated for the weight of your print, or choose a wall next to (rather than directly above) the sleep space if you're unsure about your wall fixings.
- Ignoring gender-neutral options. If you're decorating before birth, or want art that works for future children, lean toward animal prints, botanicals, and soft abstracts rather than strongly gendered colours. These look just as beautiful and give you more flexibility.
Shop our top picks
Note: Pull 6 featured products — Baby Animals, Baby Elephants, Baby Rabbit, Giraffes, Ducks, Playful Ducks
See also
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