Hi friends, it’s Courtney (Melissa’s daughter). I’m excited to share my son Forrest’s finished nursery with you. A few months ago I posted a mood board while I was still pregnant — now the baby is here and his room is complete. I’m really happy with how it came together and glad to show you around.
Budget Friendly Nursery
The nursery vision: I wanted a calm, mostly neutral backdrop with layers of color, pattern, texture, and playful elements. Because we live in a coastal Pacific Northwest town between forest and sea, I included nods to our surroundings—sailboats, botanicals, warm wood tones, and muted color accents—to make the space feel restful, whimsical, and cozy.
This wasn’t a room designed from scratch on a big budget—we added a few new pieces but reused many things we already had.
The finished room feels playful and childlike while still reflecting the calm, cozy aesthetic I love. It’s a happy space to spend time in.
You can watch a short VIDEO of this room below!
There’s a trend of very neutral kids’ rooms — “sad beige babies” — and while I appreciate a neutral palette, I wanted more balance. I used a neutral background and key furniture pieces, but I embraced colorful toys, lots of bright books, and playful accessories and art to keep the room lively.
Since we rent this townhouse, I didn’t paint, but the soft greige walls provide a calm, simple backdrop that works well with the other finishes.
Looking around the room reminds me of the generosity and support we received preparing for Forrest: hand-me-downs from friends, thoughtful gifts from family, and even presents from online friends. These meaningful items make the space feel extra special.
The felt pennant with Forrest’s name and the woodland painting above the crib were gifts from an online friend. Another friend sent a fabric bunting and hand-knit booties. A felt dog came from a HomeBody Gathering Place member in Germany. Seeing these pieces around the room brings back warm memories of everyone who helped us prepare.
I’m considering adding a rug over the carpet eventually. I’m not a huge fan of carpet, but it’s been useful here since we spend a lot of time sitting on the floor for play.
As renters, we hung curtains using Command hooks and a lightweight curtain rod — a simple, damage-free solution that’s worked well for us.
A handmade quilt from a family friend features coastal details, which I adore. We love being near water, and the little nautical touches feel very meaningful — I’ll likely keep this quilt forever.
Our crib is the Sniglar from Ikea — simple, affordable, solid beech wood that can convert to a toddler bed. I used light wood tones throughout the room for cohesion. We paired the crib with a breathable mattress and a crib sheet set in tree and stripe patterns.
I had been searching for the right art to hang above the crib; after mentioning it on Instagram, a follower generously painted the woodland scene you see above. It’s the perfect whimsical touch.
The dresser is Ikea Hemnes. We planned to use it as a changing table with a wipeable pad but for now it’s storage; we also keep a small dresser just outside the room for extra essentials.
Drawer organizers and Ikea Skubb boxes keep clothing and supplies tidy. I swapped the dresser knobs for simple wood ones to add warmth and a custom touch.
A botanical print that used to hang in my mom’s house now adds texture and history to the room. I framed it in an affordable, simple frame so it fits the space perfectly. An elephant basket I found locally adds charm and storage.
A wooden bird touch lamp — a gift from the same friend who painted the crib art — provides dimmable, warm lighting that’s perfect for middle-of-the-night feedings. We use a similar touch lamp elsewhere in our home too.
One of my favorite features is the built-in window bench; the colorful bunting across the windows adds a cheerful touch. The Ektorp chair from Ikea is a comfy hand-me-down from my mom. I considered a glider but decided to start with what we already had — it’s been cozy and practical, and we saved money by waiting to see if we’d need a rocker.
I made a simple display using ribbon, clear hooks, and mini clothespins to hang photos and cards. We capture memories with an instant camera and rotate photos to keep the display fresh for Forrest to see.
Command hooks are useful throughout the room for displaying special outfits behind the door. Babies grow out of clothes quickly, so having a couple of adorable pieces on display helps us enjoy them longer.
A small side table with a removable lid doubles as hidden storage for blankets or future stuffed animals. Nearby, a basket by the chair holds a rotating selection of current read-aloud books.
A sailboat art print evokes memories of the neighborhood where we married and starts a small, intentional collection of meaningful art. The artist included an original watercolor that I placed in a shadowbox frame.
A white house-shaped shelf I’ve had for years displays books and toys that double as decor. We’ll move it out when Forrest starts crawling, but for now it’s perfect for showcasing favorites.
Some of the books on the shelf are from my childhood, which feels nostalgic and special when I read them to my son. A canvas bin and soft toys round out the cozy, approachable feel of the room.
Thank you for coming along on our little nursery tour!
I’ll return soon with a round-up of baby registry favorites—items we’ve really loved and used over the first months. I hope it helps new parents or anyone shopping for a new mom. Subscribe to our free newsletter if you don’t want to miss it.
You can follow me on Instagram for more of my home and life updates.
Not seeing something you’re looking for? There are more sources linked throughout the post and additional items in the Amazon shop folder referenced in the original post.
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.