Animal Nursery Ideas: Decorating Your Baby's Animal-Themed Room

An animal theme is a timeless option for a nursery; we’ve rounded up the benefits of the decor style.

1. There are so many environments to choose from - jungle, safari, farmyard, woodland… the list goes on! Nursery animal wall murals work well as a backdrop to the room and keep things coordinated. Fauna and Soft Safari are great examples of this.

2. You can base the color scheme on tones found in the natural environment - neutral browns, cozy beiges and welcoming greens work as a great base to layer patterns and design on top of. Earthy and natural tones also make it an easy gender-neutral option.

3. It’s a helpful theme when people ask for gift ideas - you can say you’re basing the room around the theme of animals so gifted items can be incorporated. For example, the Oklahoma wallpaper design would look great with farmyard-themed accessories and toys.

4. The theme grows with them. Animal-inspired decor is perfect for newborns with mesmerising colors, shapes and patterns; it also ignites imagination and educates inquisitive toddlers. The Explore map mural is an excellent example.

5. Complementary materials - wooden, rattan and wicker furniture and fixtures work well with the theme, so there are plenty of on-trend and accessible options for furnishing the space.

It’s helpful to remember the practical purpose of a nursery when designing it.

1. Your baby will sleep in the same room as you for the early months, so the nursery will be used more for feeding, changing, play, and storage than for sleeping. 

2. A safe, comfortable crib (that transforms into a toddler bed), a changing mat or table, and a supportive feeding chair are key elements to include.

3. Keep it comfortable and cozy - for you and the baby. Babies prefer to be in a cool room, so don’t overdo the fabrics. Create a space with color, warmth, and personality with beautiful nursery wallpaper.

Try to design the space around making your life easy. Nurseries are as much for the parent as for the child at this age, so choose a layout that works for your routine and decorate in a way that brings you joy. Place the crib away from windows to prevent drafts and be ready for those outfit changes by positioning the clothes dresser next to the changing table. If your faced with the challenge of a small nursery, we have some helpful tips on how best to decorate and utilise the space in a small kids bedroom.

Make the room comfortable with soft carpet or rugs - between tummy time and changing, you’ll spend plenty of time sitting on the floor, so make it comfy!

Wall murals for a nursery are a great starting point for a theme - they don’t take up any space and can add energy, a sense of scale and engaging design to the wall.

It’s well-acknowledged that animals can have a mood-boosting, stress-reducing influence on humans, so animal wallpaper for a nursery is a perfect option for new babies and parents alike!

Calming colors for an animal-themed nursery include warm, earthy neutrals like beige, taupe, sage, and coral, and off-whites can provide a serene base to layer color and pattern onto.

Our Hovia stylists love H&M Home and Zara Home for accessorising a nursery or kids' bedroom; there are always options to fit an animal theme, too.

Whether you choose new or pre-loved furniture, the most important factors are safety and practicality. The nursery might be in the smallest bedroom, so a good tip is to tape out the furniture dimensions on the floor before buying to ensure it works.

Once you’re assured the furniture fits your space and needs, you can focus on the materials. Blonde and lighter wood with natural finishes combine form and function, while complementary materials like rattan, cane, and jute continue the nature-inspired theme.

Modern nursery decor is designed for all children to enjoy - regardless of gender. If you’re looking for a gender-neutral wallpaper there are plenty to choose from within the animal theme.

If you’d like to use primary colors in a modern way, the Alphabetical mural is full of colorful, eye-catching motifs. Newborn babies won’t be able to focus on intricate details, but they are drawn to high contrasts. Or, if warm neutrals are more your thing, incorporating designs like the Animalia wallpaper will keep the animal theme chic.

Animal-inspired crib mobiles, height charts and cushions, and oversized stuffed animals are other popular ways to style the theme.