author’s note: It’s hard to believe this article was published three years ago before Maya was even talking! Even though the books and toys have changed over time, I designed this room intentionally to allow for Maya’s growth from year to year. My biggest tip for designing a nursery is to think of the big picture and strategize for the years to come. Hope you enjoy!

Can we talk about my favorite room in my home? My daughter’s room! When thinking about her room, I realized I wanted to create a special space that she could eventually grow into with her teen years (gasp)! In my mind, the nursery need not be a boring blue or pink space. In fact, it doesn’t have to be gender specific at all. Designing a chic and stylish nursery that your child can grow into isn’t the most impossible thing in the world, I promise. Take a look at how I created a stunning, gender-neutral nursery that ended up being one of our most shared images on Pinterest and Instagram! Plus, shop the entire look on our site here.

mood board children bedroom

Schematic: Design Bar

My interior design process typically starts like this:

1. Determine the core function of the room: Will Maya need a desk for the future? What about future playdates that include sleepovers? How long before she outgrows the bed?

2. Understand the spatial layout of the room: Where is the door? The electrical outlets? Where do I introduce lighting?

3. Lay out upholstery and wallpaper: What are the overall colors? Fabrics? Wallpaper?

I usually layout in Illustrator or CAD so I can see everything in scale, and then I start tweaking and moving things in and out for a few days until it feels right.

Maya will be reading VORACIOUSLY, and will likely have LOADS of books to place on her shelves. As she gets older, undoubtedly all of her interests will lead her to bring home all sorts of projects and artwork (Or, at least, this is my wishful thinking). Therefore, I wanted to provide ample storage and shelving as well as a built-in desk for the homework that she may eventually have. I purposefully created a larger height of shelves in the middle for taller bins and taller toys that don’t fit into a 14″ shelf height. Below is a picture of Maya at three months. The lyrics just felt so right, and yes, we carry this darling art print here.

Painted Wood-Rustic Photo box I Hope You Still Feel Small Camel

Vintage Hand Painted Jungle Animals Wallpaper

Now, my favorite part of the room – her reading nook! The nook was designed for a twin bed in mind, so getting sheets or bedding for the nook would be easy, not to mention cleaning it! I grew up in a house where my parents pasted old National Geographic maps onto my walls…and I still remember it till this day. When I came across the Jungle Parchment Wallpaper, I loved the colors and the motif as it was child-like, but not too juvenile. I also used coordinating pillows below in the same pattern as the wallpaper, as well as a larger grey paisley pillow that coordinated back to her bedding in the nook. We also placed a dresser to hide into her closet.