Blue for boys and pink for girls is no longer a valid go-to when it comes to creating a room for your children. Times have moved on. And whether you’re looking for a gender-neutral nursery solution or a flexible, timeless design for your young ones to grow into: we have the ideal elegant nursery ideas for you.
Bright, warm colours like red and yellow can be problematic for young children. Experts suggest they can cause volatility and agitation. Instead, play it safe with whites and greys or opt for the calm pastel greens or pale blues that lead 2018 trends. Using blue and white as you base colours evokes the classic designs of Chinese porcelain for a truly timeless and elegant nursery. Pastel pinks provide a surprisingly effective contrast, and balance out the gender suggestion of the blue. Finish the look with period décor like patterned curtains, wall plates, porcelain dolls, period posters and tinplate toys.
By starting from a clean, quiet base, you have plenty of scope to play with added elements. Layering multiple colours, patterns and textures creates interest and a sense of playfulness, without being overbearing. This will allow the little one to feel like they can engage with the environment and make it their own. Throw pillows, rugs and curtains are great tools here, and they can chop and change with your child’s taste too.
Organic design should be implemented on two levels. Firstly, include some greenery. Plant life is relaxing, and will grow and take shape alongside your child for an added dynamic element to the room. This can be mirrored in some of those patterned prints you throw in, but also feed into furniture design. Avoid modernist sharp edges and utilitarian squares in favour of flowing lines, rounded corners and handles favoured by 18th century design and the art nouveau.
Elegant nursery ideas rarely focus on lighting, but getting this right is essential to timeless design. While many parents focus on getting spaces bright and airy, equal focus should also be put on the quality of light in your nursery. Big windows and bright central lighting is OK for play, but be sure to include lamps and night lights with bulbs in the red end of the colour spectrum to promote relaxation and sleep in the evening. These don’t have to come in garish plastic toys, they can be incorporated into sturdy brass, copper or steel floor lamps, and even tasteful table lamps. Just be sure they’re out of reach or bolted down once baby gets curious.
Last but not least, storage space is an essential ingredient in any nursery, but it’s especially important in a room you want to grow and develop with your child. That means including lots of room for the new toys, games, clothes and hobbies they’ll pick up, but also choosing design solutions that are flexible enough to work with their own unique personality. Classics like the 1920s style Lloyd Loom wicker ottoman work well, as does shelving with removable drawers that allow you to update your design as you wish. As the philosopher Heraclitus said, change is the only constant in life. Starting out with good design principles won’t mean your elegant nursery stays the same, but it will create a timeless space to grow and adapt with your family. And that’s something special.
