Looking Back on the Best Nursery Trends of 2017

This past year has brought us tons of great nursery trends from bold, unexpected colors to soft, neutral palettes, and from woodland-inspired motifs and natural materials to mid-century modern statement-furniture. Whether your preferred aesthetic for your little one's special space leans toward simple, sweet, and shabby chic, or edgy, sophisticated and contemporary, with vintage touches, or all of the above, we're here to help you pull together the on-trend nursery of your dreams.

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Gender Neutral Colors Are Far from Boring

Creating a gender neutral nursery has gone way beyond "insert pale yellow here." In 2017, gentle hues like dove gray and creamy beige or soft gender neutral pastels (think mint green) on walls, floor coverings, and fabrics was all the rage. Once you establish a base gender neutral color scheme, don't forget to layer in pops of more standout colors like navy and burgundy throw pillows, jewel-toned wall decor, or even an eye-catching accent wall. Create a gender neutral nursery for your little one by buying a gray or white crib such as this modern one from Overstock. ($256; overstock.com)

create a gender neutral nursery with this crib

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Into the Woods: Timber Cribs, Woodland Themes, & More

In 2017, nursery themes were all about bringing the outdoors in with woodland-inspired, rustic furniture finds and mountain-themed decor. Think about selecting key furniture pieces like rocking chairs and changing tables that almost blend into the room like trees in a forest. To achieve your desired woodland aesthetic, don't be afraid to think outside the box in baby's room. Also utilize bedding, cute animal decor (such as this 3D wall art from The Land of Nod,) and birch decals to complete your little one's woodland nursery. ($29; landofnod.com)

shop these cute critters

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Dark & Moody Colors Are Cozy & Trendy

If neutral colors aren't your cup of tea, don't shy away from vivid shades that still work for boys' or girls' rooms. Let's not forget Pantone's color of the year for 2017, "Greenery," which plays perfectly into a rustic, woodland vibe. Go for a greenery painted accent wall if you don't want this vibrant shade to overpower the nursery. Or pick one of the many dark and moody hues that were also on-trend for 2017, like Pantone's "Navy Peony" or "Tawny Port." Nontraditional nursery colors are showing up on geometric-patterned and pretty vintage wallpapers that have the power to take your baby's space from ordinary to extraordinary. Just remember to balance out those dark and moody colors with white accents like wall decor and window dressings. Start your dark and moody nursery with "Pottery Red" from Benjamin Moore. ($6.99; benjaminmoore.com)

stop & shop this paint color
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Let Nature Cover the Walls with Rustic Decals

Don't stop at rustic, reclaimed wood changing tables and rocking chairs when it comes to playing up the nature theme in your baby's nursery. Carry the outdoorsy vibe over to wall coverings and beyond. One super-popular nursery trend from 2017 is using patterned wallpaper or wall decals featuring nature motifs. Think florals, greenery, tree branches, bamboo, arrows, or even stars. Pump up the effect even more with textured wallpaper that pops and adds even more interest to a space you'll be spending much of your time. Channel your inner Joanna Gaines with this adhesive wood paneling when decorating baby's nursery. ($280; westelm.com)

shop the trend now
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Nautical Nurseries: Ahoy, Mini Mateys!

Shift your periscope seaward and go nautical in baby's room. In 2017, the nautical trend wasn't just for boys anymore. Baby girl rooms can just as easily go nautical if you incorporate navy blue with pink accents or sailor red with turquoise and white punched in. Think about driftwood or white-washed furniture pieces that will flow well in a nautical nursery and help break up a strong color scheme. Crisp white accent pieces like throw pillows and blankets soften the effect as well. Be sure to add some cheeky nautical touches like a painted wooden buoy on a shelf, a life preserver hung above the dresser, or a sailor's knot pendant light fixture like this one from Houzz. ($60; houzz.com)

light up your little one's nursery with this pendant

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Natural Textures Steal the Show

Natural textiles carry the outdoors theme to window and floor coverings, crib bedding, and nursery storage options. Think burlap window panels, jute area rugs, or cotton bedding. Even bins to organize toys and books or hold laundry go sustainable with environmentally friendly, natural textiles. Perfect for the ever popular bohemian nursery theme, jute and woven elements are great for the eco-conscious parents. Bring natural elements into your bundle of joy's nursery with a seagrass basket—ideal for storing toys—from Serena and Lily. ($128; serenaandlily.com)

say hello to this so-cute storage basket
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Jungle & Animal Prints: Where the Wild Things Are

Animal prints were still big for nursery trends in 2017. One way to transform your tot's space into a lush land of animal friends and future adventures is to get wild with an accent wall. Pick an animal print wallpaper in leopard or giraffe spots or tiger or zebra stripes. You can even think tropical here with a palm tree wall mural, or dial down the jungle effect just a bit by opting for a series of animal-theme wall art—a great place to start is with this panther print from Anthropologie. To really capitalize on the jungle-animal trend, get creative by layering in thoughtful details like a wall-mounted, 3D animal head or giraffe lamp. ($138; anthropologie.com)

order this print today

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Modern Cribs & Furniture Pieces that Make a Statement

Modern statement cribs mark a direct departure from the rustic, nature-inspired cribs we're seeing in woodland nurseries. We're talking bold, asymmetric, often colorful, midcentury modern pieces that make use of unconventional, unique materials like clear acrylic. Modern cribs challenge traditional styles with their play on shape, scale, and design. These look-at-me statement cribs will act as centerpieces for your baby's nursery. Try taking on the modern furniture trend in a big way with this Panorama Acrylic Crib from The Land of Nod. ($999; landofnod.com)

click to shop this marvelous modern crib

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