Hi friends! It’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter). I’m excited to share the design mood board I created for our baby boy’s nursery.
If you’re new or catching up, my husband and I got married in July 2022 and are expecting our first child on February 14 (Valentine’s Day!). Last summer we moved from a small apartment into a rental townhouse that gives us more space as we prepare to welcome our baby boy.
Below is a photo of the nursery before we moved in. The window seat is my favorite feature.
We still have a lot to finish before the room is fully set up, but today I wanted to share the design plan and the mood board that guided my choices.
My design leanings tend toward a cozy Scandinavian aesthetic — calm neutrals, simple lines, and warm textures. Over time my style may shift toward a cottage-transitional look as I collect more pieces, especially once we own a home, but for now I’m embracing a soft Scandinavian feel for the nursery.
For this room I envisioned a neutral base with pops of muted color, varied textures, and playful, nature-inspired details. We live in a coastal Pacific Northwest city between forest and sea, so I included elements that nod to our surroundings: sailboats, botanicals, warm wood tones, and soft, muted hues.
Below is our design mood board.
Below I’ll share the mood board sources, why I chose them, and a few additional pieces we’ll incorporate that aren’t pictured on the board.
Cross Baby Quilt
We received a sweet muslin baby quilt at our shower with a tiny cross pattern. It’s even prettier in person and feels like a small, cozy heirloom. I love the subtle graphic motif and soft texture.
Bunting Banner
A bunting will add a whimsical touch to the room. I’m still deciding where to hang it — possibly above the crib — but I love the mix of muted colors and soft shapes it brings.
‘Explore’ Pennant Banner Art
This green pennant felt right for the nursery, lending a small adventurous vibe without overpowering the calm color palette.
Ikea Sniglar Crib
We chose the simple, solid beech Sniglar crib. It’s affordable, well-reviewed, and can transition to a toddler bed. Its clean, classic lines suit the Scandinavian-inspired feel, and we liked that it’s made of untreated solid wood.
Wood and Crochet Stars & Clouds Mobile
We chose a mobile with solid wood shapes and crochet details for warmth and texture. It feels handmade and soft, and we may personalize it with a few small additions.
Machine-Washable Rug
The room already has wall-to-wall carpet, but a machine-washable rug will layer color and pattern while being practical for a nursery. I picked a washable rug that complements the muted palette.
Faux Olive Tree
A touch of greenery brings life to the room. A faux olive tree gives the look of a living plant without maintenance and fits the soft, natural aesthetic.
Ikea Ektorp Chair with White Slipcover
We have an Ektorp chair passed down from my mom covered in a washable white slipcover. It’s cozy and comfortable, and will serve as our nursing and reading chair for now. If needed later, we can consider adding a glider or rocker.
Wood Accent Stool Table
A small wood side table by the chair will be handy for a drink, book, or baby essentials. I may use something we already own, but I like the simple, versatile stool pictured.
Black Floor Lamp
A directed floor lamp beside the chair will provide soft task light for night feedings and reading. I prefer a slim, black metal lamp for a bit of contrast against the neutrals.
Wood Blanket Ladder
A blanket ladder is a cozy, decorative way to display a few adorable baby blankets and keeps them within easy reach.
Lightweight Black & White Stitched Curtains
We may layer these lightweight curtains over a room-darkening option to add pattern and softness to the window seat area while maintaining privacy and light control.
Botanical Art
Botanical prints bring a calm, natural feel to the walls. I have a couple of pretty prints I may rotate between rooms, and they complement the nautical and woodland touches.
Vintage Wicker Elephant Accent
I found a vintage wicker elephant at an antique store and it’s an adorable accent for holding small items or toys. I enjoy balancing newer pieces with a few antique finds for character.
Other small touches I love: a wood sailboat with little animal toys that reflects our coastal life, a watercolor sailboat print that adds color and meaning, a muslin sailboat swaddle that’s pretty enough to display, and a soft teddy bear we bought early on as a keepsake.
We’re using a familiar Ikea Hemnes dresser as our changing table and swapping the black knobs for warm unfinished wood knobs to coordinate with the crib and mobile.
Teddy Bear Keepsake
A soft teddy bear was one of our first purchases for the baby — a small sentimental piece that will become part of the nursery’s cozy feel.
That’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed this peek at our nursery plans. I can’t wait to share the finished room once it’s complete.
Would you like more nursery inspiration or baby gift ideas here? I’ve had so much fun collecting things and will share more recommendations as we go. Let me know what you’d like to see.
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