Are you looking for something a little out of the ordinary in terms of design for your baby’s nursery? An interesting paint job can make even the most popular “nursery-in-a-bag” look like custom designer decor. Skip the solid pastel wash and try one of these simple, yet elegant designs.
The first step for any of these ideas is to pick your perfect color, whether it be pink, green, blue, yellow or purple. Head to the paint department and look through those handy paint cards – the ones that have 4 or 5 shades on each one. Pick a swatch that you like – each of these designs will use at least two of the shades on your card.
Your first option is the easiest because it requires the least amount of taping. Pick two or four shades from your paint card and paint alternate colors on each wall, or all four walls in the room a different shade. Opposing walls in the room should match if you are using two colors, and if you are using four, follow the order of shades on the paint card as you work your way around the room. Save the darkest shade for a wall with a window.
The second option is a little more complicated, but very cool. Take your lightest shade and paint the entire room. Then using painter’s tape, divide the wall horizontally into four even sections. Then you are going to take the next 3 shades on the paint card paint wide horizontal stripes, creating a graduated effect going up or down the wall. So you might see the bottom quarter of the wall featuring your darkest shade and the top quarter the of the wall featuring your lightest shade, with the two middle shades in the middle of the wall, each a quarter width as well. This pattern would be especially cool to use with yellows, since it would create a sunrise effect – with blues it would be perfect for an ocean theme nursery.
A third option features vertical stripes, which give a really elegant feel. Pick two shades from your paint card that are each one or two shades apart, no more. Use the lighter shade to paint the whole room, and then tape off 6-inch vertical stripes around the room. Paint these stripes with your darker shade. This effect looks really good with light colors, especially pale pink or yellow. If you use pink, add a pretty chandelier and sheer curtains for the perfect princess room!
