The Cutest Things You Can Buy to Decorate the Nursery
We know that nursery decor is very personal and particular. You may have family heirloom items you’re planning to incorporate, or a very specific theme you’re going all in on. Or, you may not even be that interested in nursery decor as long as the nursery is safe, functional, and set up with all the basic needs (like a crib, crib mattress, changing pad, diaper pail, glider, and baby monitor).
But every nursery needs a few special somethings to bring a color, pattern, or whimsy into the space. So no matter your nursery style, here are eight of the cutest things our editors think you can put in a nursery. They may not all be functional (although some are!), but they all have personality to make your baby’s nursery as unique and fun as you want it to be.
Why You Should Trust Us
This is a best list that comes with real chops. Cubby is helmed by a small yet vibrant team of design-savvy parents who are unusually invested in finding the best products for life at home with kids, beginning with the nursery. Faith Durand (SVP of content at Apartment Therapy Media, two kids, pro pinner of all the things), Cambria Bold (executive editor of Cubby, two kids, hobby designer, avid product researcher), and Laura Schocker (chief content officer at Apartment Therapy Media, one kid and one on the way, small space/city living expert) have 40 years of digital editorial experience combined. They’ve already read about, researched, and purchased many of the baby products that you, as a soon-to-be parent, are wondering about right now. They’ll tell you exactly what you need to know about what to get.
If they don’t know the answer, they know plenty of people to ask — fellow editors, parenting experts, designers, and Cubby readers — so you can be sure that these recommendations come from real-life experiences.
Most importantly, we don’t just “office test” these products (read: order a bunch and shake ’em around in our office “lab” with a fake baby doll) because that is helpful to approximately no one. The products we recommend here are ones we or fellow parents have actually purchased ourselves for our nursery and used for at least a few months (and sometimes way longer). The rave reviews are real.
For the Ceiling: Handmade Hot Air Balloon Model
You don’t need a hot air balloon-themed nursery to experience the whimsy of a hanging hot air balloon! We love these beautiful hot air balloon models that you can buy in two colors (red and blue) and three sizes. We’d hang it in a corner above the changing table, or just off-center above a long dresser. Hang it a few feet from the ceiling so it’s able to sway a little and appear as if it’s floating through the room.
For Above the Crib: Pehr Classic Wool Mobile
Pehr’s one-of-a-kind, ethically made wool mobiles are so sweet. They have 12 different styles to choose among, from Into the Wild animals to Magical Forest creatures, as well as elephants, bunnies, mushrooms, and colorful pom poms. These mobiles have no motorized movement or sound effects, but we think the colors and textures are appealing enough on their own!
For the Walls: Art Prints from Yaya Studio
Yaya Studio’s illustrated art prints have everything we want in a nursery wall decor. They’re colorful, playful, and gender-neutral. From personalized name prints to sweet reminders, you’ll find many gentle, lovely prints to choose from.
For the Dresser: Miffy, Boris, and Lion Night Lights
Miffy is a popular Dutch cartoon bunny, originally drawn in 1955. You’ve probably seen her around, but have you seen her friends Boris and Lion? Together they make some of the cutest, squishiest night-lights around. Available in three sizes, ranging from a handheld Miffy to giant toddler-size Miffy (which is definitely too big for the dresser — you’d want to move the light to the floor in this case!), the Miffy and friends night-lights are battery-operated and give off a soft, warm glow that isn’t too bright. They are wonderful in the nursery.
For the Floor: Lorena Canals Washable Wool Rug
Trust us: You’ll be glad you have a washable rug in the nursery. From sudden spit-ups to diaper blowouts, we’ve come to expect the unexpected with our babies, but that doesn’t apply to the washability of our nursery room rug. Lorena Canals has a wonderful selection of washable rugs for the nursery, but we’re partial to the eye-catching Pie Chart, Terrazzo, and Radish rugs. They are soft underfoot and easy to clean!
For the Nursery Glider: Oeuf Apple Pillow
All of Oeuf’s baby alpaca products are little luxuries, and their Apple pillow is definitely one. We love the shape and stripes, and the fact that this pillow can easily age up in the nursery. It may start on the glider but eventually make its way to the toddler bed or the big kid bunk. It’s such a fun little design detail.
For the Shelves: Olli Ella Rattan Mushroom Basket
We’ve already written about our love for shaped storage baskets in kids’ rooms, and this darling mushroom basket is a big favorite. Like our favorite pear-shaped storage basket, this mushroom basket packs so much personality in a small package. Set it on a nursery shelf and use it to store small items (like baby socks) in the early years, knowing your little kid will love using it as a treasure basket later on.
For Anywhere: Jellycat Bashful Bunny
No nursery is complete with a Jellycat stuffy, especially the ever-so-sweet Bashful Bunny. Jellycats are some of the softest, coziest stuffed animals you’ll find, and wonderful companions for kids of all ages. Most kids don’t form attachments to stuffed animals until they’re at least 12 months old, after which they might become inseparable. Until that time, prop a Jellycat on the nursery bookcase or daybed, and wait for the day your toddler is old enough to start loving it Velveteen Rabbit-style.
