Hi friends, it’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter) sharing my son Forrest’s nursery today. A few months ago I posted my design mood board while I was pregnant; now the baby has arrived and the room is finished. I’m so happy with how it turned out and excited to show you around.
Budget Friendly Nursery
The nursery vision: I imagined a mostly neutral backdrop with a few key pieces, then layered in color, pattern, texture, and cozy accessories. I wanted the room to feel calm and restful but still playful and whimsical. Living in a coastal Pacific Northwest city between forest and sea inspired subtle nods to sailboats, botanicals, wood tones, and muted coastal colors.
This wasn’t created on a big budget—we added a few new items but used many pieces we already had.
I love how the room feels like a child’s space with playful details while still reflecting the calm, cozy aesthetic I prefer. It’s a joyful place to be.
You can watch a short VIDEO of this room below!
You may have heard of the “sad beige babies” trend—rooms and wardrobes that lean heavily on neutrals. I do love muted tones, but wanted balance here. The room’s base is neutral, yet colorful toys, bright books, patterned textiles, and cheerful art keep the space lively.
We rent our townhouse, so painting wasn’t an option this time. The soft greige walls make a simple, calming backdrop that works well with the rest of the palette.
Looking around the room I see reminders of the love and support that helped us prepare for Forrest. We received many thoughtful hand-me-downs and gifts from family, friends, and connections I made on Instagram.
The felt pennant with Forrest’s name and the woodland animal painting above the crib were gifts from generous online friends. A fabric bunting and knitted booties arrived from another friend, and a felt dog came from a community member living in Germany. Seeing these pieces around the room makes the space feel especially meaningful.
I’ve thought about adding a rug over the carpet; while I’m not a huge fan of carpet, it’s been handy for floor playtime.
We hung curtains with Command hooks on a lightweight curtain rod, a renter-friendly solution I’ve used elsewhere in our home.
A quilt—likely handmade by a family friend—features coastal touches that feel right for our love of the sea. It’s something I’ll cherish.
Our crib is the Sniglar from Ikea—simple, affordable, made from untreated beech wood, and convertible to a toddler bed. We paired it with a breathable mattress and a neutral crib sheet set that includes a tree pattern and gray-and-white stripes.
After asking on Instagram for suggestions, a follower offered to paint the woodland art over the crib as a gift. It’s the perfect whimsical touch.
The Hemnes dresser from Ikea serves as storage. We considered using it as a changing table but for now we set up changing stations elsewhere and use the dresser for clothing and essentials.
I organize drawers with affordable organizers and Ikea Skubb boxes to keep everything tidy.
I swapped the dresser’s original knobs for simple wooden ones to match the room’s light wood tones.
A botanical print that used to hang in my mom’s house found a new home here. It’s printed on textured handmade paper and fits an affordable frame I found—art with personal meaning makes a room feel rooted.
The elephant basket was an antique find; similar styles can be found from vintage sellers.
A wooden bird touch lamp—another thoughtful gift—gives dimmable warm or cool light for nighttime feedings and adds a charming accent to the room.
The built-in window bench was a highlight when we toured the house—the bunting across the windows brings a pop of color that makes me smile.
An Ikea Ektorp chair, a hand-me-down from my mom, serves as a cozy spot for nursing and reading. I debated a white slipcover but kept the gray for a nice contrast.
Instead of buying an expensive glider, we used what we already had and decided to wait. So far this chair has been perfectly comfortable and saved us money.
I made a simple display with ribbon, clear hooks, and mini clothespins to hang photos and cards. We capture many moments with an instant camera and I love rotating photos for Forrest to see.
Command hooks are useful throughout the room. Two hooks behind the door display special outfits so we can enjoy them a little longer before the baby outgrows them.
A small side table with a removable lid doubles as storage for blankets or a future stuffed-animal collection.
A sailboat print reminded me of a neighborhood where we once lived and felt like a meaningful addition. The artist also included an original watercolor I placed in a shadowbox frame.
A white house-shaped shelf I’ve had for years holds books and small toys as decor. I’ll move it out of the room when Forrest is crawling, but for now it’s a sweet display.
A basket by the chair holds a rotating selection of books we’re reading. Some of the books are ones my parents saved from my childhood, which feels nostalgic to share with Forrest.
A canvas bunny bin and soft stuffed animals add texture and playfulness. I enjoy filling the room with items that are both functional and pretty.
Thank you for coming along on our little nursery tour!
I’ll be back soon with a round-up of baby registry items we’ve used and loved over the last five months—hopefully helpful for new parents or gift-givers. Subscribe to the newsletter if you don’t want to miss it.
You can follow along with me on Instagram for more of my home and life.
Not seeing what you’re looking for? You’ll find more sources mentioned throughout the post and in the shop folder referenced in the original article.
More Posts by Courtney:
5 Clever Ways to Make a Small Space Cozy and Inviting (Courtney’s Apartment)
Courtney’s Apartment Tour (500 Square Feet!)
Courtney’s Small Apartment Bedroom
Courtney’s Seattle Studio Apartment Tour
How to Hang Curtains with Command Hooks (Renter Friendly Hack!)
See ALL posts from Courtney here.