How to Design a Nursery That’s Calming, Stylish & Practical
Designing a nursery is a chance to create a space that supports your baby’s routine while also reflecting your own style. From choosing calming wallpaper to layering cosy textures and managing light for better sleep, the goal is to balance practicality with personality.
We’ve teamed up with experts from Hillarys Blinds to share their advice on creating a nursery that feels thoughtful, gentle and made for everyday life.
Illustrated Colorful Safari Animals Wallpaper
Sleep-friendly lighting
Getting your nursery lighting right isn’t just about aesthetics, it plays a big role in supporting healthy sleep patterns. A soft, dimmable ceiling light and effective window coverings can help create a consistent day-to-night rhythm and encourage better rest.
Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager at Hillarys explains “Light control is essential for better sleep, particularly in a nursery where establishing a consistent sleep routine is crucial.”
Keal recommends “smart electric blackout blinds for nurseries, as they not only effectively block out sunlight to create a dark, sleep-friendly environment but also offer the convenience of voice control.” Whether you choose blackout blinds, layered curtains, or both, the goal is to make it easy to transition the room from bright and playful to dark and cocooning, especially during nap times.
Set the tone with wallpaper
Wallpaper plays a powerful role in shaping how a nursery feels and how your child experiences it as they grow. A softly patterned wallpaper can create a serene, sleep-friendly space, while a vibrant mural might spark storytelling, creativity and a sense of adventure.
Whether you’re drawn to adorable animal wallpaper designs, cute floral prints like our Jean wallpaper, or classic stripes in modern colors such as our Pencil Green design, wallpaper offers a lasting backdrop for those all-important first memories. It’s also a beautiful way to introduce personality into the room in a way that feels considered and design-led.
For something timeless and calming, look to muted pastels, warm neutrals or nature-inspired tones like sage or sand. For bolder imaginations, a large-scale mural, like our Legend Dawn design, can be a playful focal point and one that evolves as your little one grows into the space.
Image Credit - @gems_home_story_
Add texture with practical soft furnishings
Layering soft, tactile materials helps a nursery feel warm and cocooning. Rugs underfoot, woven wall hangings, and softly draped curtains all add depth while helping to absorb noise, ideal for creating a more restful environment.
Keal explains that "blinds and curtains can help reduce noise levels, contributing to a calmer nursery environment. Opt for thicker materials or honeycomb, thermal blinds for an additional layer of sound insulation.”
When it comes to fabric choices, Hillarys' experts recommend "Roller or Roman blinds that can be easily opened up and kept out of reach of inquisitive little hands. For fabrics, prioritise easy-to-clean and durable materials like polyester or cotton blends, which will retain their appearance over time.”
Prioritise safety without compromising on style
Safety is always the top priority in a nursery but that doesn’t mean sacrificing the design details. Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager at Hillarys reminds parents to “opt for child-safe options like cordless or chain-free blinds to ensure a secure environment for your little one.”
The same applies across the space: secure furniture to walls, keep cot surroundings clutter-free and make sure soft furnishings are safely out of reach. Once the essentials are in place, you can start to build the personality of the room. That might be through a joyful wallpaper print, a pop of colour on your blind fabric or soft accessories like cushions and toys that help bring the room to life.
Image Credit - @the_metroland_house
Create a transitional room that grows with your child
A nursery should be able to grow and adapt alongside your child. Hillarys' Keal explains that “this doesn’t mean you can’t also add personality and charm with blinds in playful patterns or colours that complement the nursery’s theme.” The same is true for wallpaper, lighting and soft furnishings. Our guide on how to decorate a transitional nursery is full of handy tips on decorating a nursery in this timeless style.
By choosing a flexible design foundation such as peel and stick wallpaper, changeable accessories and adjustable lighting, you can easily refresh the space as your child’s personality begins to shine through. A well-designed nursery strikes the balance between calm and character. With thoughtful touches like light-dimming options, tactile textures and beautiful wallpaper that sets the tone, it becomes a space made for sleep, play and special memories.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding the finishing touches, these expert tips will help you create a nursery that feels both functional and full of heart.