Bringing the Outdoors In: 13 Nature-Inspired Nursery Ideas

I love helping new parents create the perfect space for their little ones, and nature-inspired nurseries hold a special place in my heart. These calming spaces blend the beauty of the outdoors with cozy indoor comfort to make a peaceful haven for both baby and parents.

I’ve gathered 15 easy ways to bring natural elements into your nursery that will create a soothing environment for your baby while adding style to your home. These ideas range from simple decor touches to bigger design choices, and you can mix and match them to suit your taste and budget.

1) Forest-themed Wallpaper

I love how forest wallpaper brings instant magic to a nursery. The gentle trees and woodland scenes create a peaceful setting that helps babies feel close to nature.

I recommend choosing a wallpaper with soft, muted colors like sage green and warm browns. These natural tones work well for both daytime play and nighttime rest.

My favorite forest wallpaper designs include sweet animals like deer, rabbits, and owls peeking out from behind the trees. These friendly creatures make wonderful companions for your little one.

For the best effect, I suggest applying the wallpaper to just one accent wall. This keeps the room from feeling too busy while still creating that cozy forest feeling.

2) Animal-shaped Nightlights

I love using animal-shaped nightlights to create a cozy glow in nature-themed nurseries. My favorites include gentle glowing owls, sleepy bears, and soft-lit deer figures.

These sweet lights add both function and charm to the room. They provide just enough light for nighttime diaper changes and feedings without being too bright.

I recommend picking animals that match your nursery’s theme. A woodland nursery might feature a fox or raccoon light, while a safari room could use an elephant or giraffe.

Look for nightlights made from safe materials like BPA-free plastic. I prefer LED options since they stay cool to the touch and use less energy.

3) Treehouse-inspired Bunk Bed

I love how a treehouse-themed bunk bed can turn a basic nursery into a magical woodland space. By adding wooden elements and natural textures, you can create a cozy sleep spot that feels like a mini treehouse.

I recommend choosing a bunk bed with a wooden frame and adding leaf-print bedding to enhance the forest feel. Some simple branch decorations or vine garlands around the railings make it extra special.

I’ve seen parents paint tree murals on the wall behind the bed to complete the look. Adding a few stuffed woodland creatures like owls or squirrels makes the space feel more playful and forest-like.

Small LED fairy lights can create a magical glow, just like stars peeking through tree branches. Remember to keep them safely out of reach from little hands.

4) Botanical Wall Decals

I love using botanical wall decals to bring life to nursery walls. These easy-to-apply stickers create a beautiful garden-like feel without any mess or commitment.

My favorite choices include delicate ferns, flowering branches, and gentle leaves that can transform plain walls into a natural wonderland. They’re perfect for renters since they peel off cleanly when it’s time to move.

I recommend placing larger decals near the crib to create a focal point, with smaller elements scattered around the room. The best part is that you can rearrange them anytime you want a fresh look.

Green and neutral-toned decals work well with most color schemes, making them a smart choice that can grow with your child. You’ll find endless options online and in home decor stores.

5) Nature-themed Mobile

I love adding a nature-themed mobile above the crib to create a peaceful focal point. A mobile with woodland creatures, leaves, or birds can keep your baby entertained while bringing the outdoors inside.

You can find beautiful pre-made mobiles featuring butterflies, clouds, or felt animals. I’ve seen amazing options with dangling stars and moons that add a touch of magic to the space.

For a personal touch, I recommend making your own mobile using natural materials like pinecones, dried flowers, or fabric birds. This lets you match your nursery’s exact color scheme while creating something unique.

6) Woodland Creature Cushions

I love adding cute woodland creature cushions to create a cozy forest feel in the nursery. Fox, deer, owl, and rabbit designs make perfect additions to any chair or crib.

These soft pillows aren’t just adorable – they’re practical too. I recommend choosing washable covers in gentle fabrics like organic cotton or soft fleece.

I pick cushions with simple embroidered faces rather than plastic eyes or buttons for safety. My favorite spots to place them are in the rocking chair and reading nook.

I look for cushions in earthy colors like browns, greens and creams to match the natural theme. Just make sure to remove them from the crib during sleep time.

7) Eco-friendly Crib Sheets

I love using organic cotton crib sheets in my nursery designs. They’re super soft against baby’s skin and free from harmful chemicals.

Bamboo sheets are another great eco-friendly choice I recommend to parents. They’re naturally antibacterial and keep babies cool in summer and warm in winter.

My favorite sustainable options include hemp and linen sheets. These materials get softer with each wash and can last through multiple children.

I always look for GOTS-certified sheets, which means they meet strict environmental standards. The colors and patterns made with natural dyes look beautiful in nature-themed nurseries.

8) Rocking Chair with Leaf Pattern

I love how a rocking chair with leaf patterns adds a natural touch to any nursery. A cozy chair with embroidered or printed leaves creates the perfect spot for late-night feedings and story time.

I recommend choosing soft, earthy tones like sage green or warm brown for the chair fabric. These colors blend beautifully with other nature-inspired elements in the room.

You can find leaf-patterned rocking chairs in many styles, from subtle tone-on-tone designs to bold botanical prints. I particularly like chairs that feature native plant species – they bring a local nature connection right into the nursery.

Add a matching leaf-print pillow and throw blanket to make the chair even cozier. This creates a sweet little reading nook that both parent and baby will enjoy.

9) Tree Stump Side Table

I love how a natural tree stump side table brings a rustic, woodsy feel to any nursery space. You can find these at home decor stores or craft one yourself from a fallen tree.

I recommend looking for a stump that’s about 18-24 inches tall – perfect height for placing next to a nursing chair or changing table. Make sure it’s properly dried and sealed to prevent any moisture issues.

I’ve found that lighter-colored woods like birch or maple work best in nurseries, creating an airy, natural feel. You can sand the top smooth for a safe surface to hold bottles, books, or a small lamp.

For extra charm, I sometimes add little woodland decorations like pine cones or moss around the base of the stump. It’s such a sweet touch that connects the nursery to nature.

10) Birdhouse Wall Shelves

I love the idea of using birdhouse-shaped wall shelves to add whimsy and storage to a nursery. These adorable shelves come in different sizes and colors, perfect for displaying small toys, books, and keepsakes.

I recommend choosing wooden birdhouse shelves in soft pastel colors that match your nursery’s theme. The natural wood texture adds a lovely outdoor feel to the room.

You can arrange three or four birdhouse shelves at different heights to create visual interest. I like to place them near the changing table or reading nook where they’re both decorative and functional.

The open design of birdhouse shelves makes it easy for me to grab items quickly. Plus, they’re great conversation starters when friends visit the nursery.

11) Natural Fiber Rug

I love using natural fiber rugs to bring organic warmth to a nursery floor. Jute, sisal, and seagrass rugs add beautiful texture while being eco-friendly choices.

I recommend placing a soft cotton rug pad underneath for extra cushioning when your little one starts crawling. Natural fiber rugs feel great under bare feet and create a cozy spot for tummy time.

These rugs come in neutral colors that work with any nursery style. I find round shapes particularly nice for defining play areas, while rectangular ones fit perfectly under cribs.

For easy maintenance, I suggest vacuuming regularly and spot cleaning with mild soap and water. The natural fibers will age beautifully over time, developing a lovely lived-in character.

12) Sky and Cloud Ceiling Art

I love turning nursery ceilings into dreamy skyscapes with soft clouds and hints of blue. Paint serves as the perfect base – I usually choose a light blue shade that matches the morning sky.

Adding fluffy white clouds creates a peaceful atmosphere that babies find fascinating. I like to use cloud decals or stencils since they’re easy to apply and remove when needed.

For extra magic, I sometimes add tiny star stickers that glow in the dark. These create a gentle nightlight effect when the room gets dark.

Some parents I work with prefer hand-painted murals with birds or hot air balloons floating among the clouds. The ceiling becomes a sweet focal point that sparks imagination.

13) Butterfly Wall Art

I love using butterfly wall art to add a magical touch to nurseries. You can create a stunning display with paper butterflies in soft pastel colors or metallic finishes.

I recommend arranging the butterflies in a flowing pattern that looks like they’re flying across the wall. Some can be flat against the wall while others can be mounted with foam tape to add depth and dimension.

You can find ready-made butterfly wall decals, or make your own from colored paper and card stock. I like to mix different sizes to create visual interest.

A butterfly display works great as a focal point above the crib or changing table. I always make sure to securely attach each piece so there’s no risk of them falling.