Are you planning a nursery? Preparing a space for your little one is an exciting and fun adventure. But, deciding on the right theme can certainly be a challenge. How do you choose from among the many, many options?

If you’re not sure what theme to give your nursery, take a look at these trending nursery themes for 2021. You just might get inspired!

1. Jungle / Safari

Lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and more animal friends join the nursery in this fun theme. Typically, this theme features greens and browns, but can also be augmented with pinks, blues, or grays if desired. The theme can be understated or take over the whole room. There’s a lot of flexibility with the jungle or safari theme. 

The jungle or safari theme is great for parents who want a theme that will grow well with their baby. As the baby grows, they may become interested in animals which can be incorporated into the nursery with toys, pictures, books, and more!

2. Watercolors

Beautiful frames of watercolor paintings line the wall in the nursery. However, did you know that watercolors are also making their way into baby bedding? In particular, water colors are often used for florals, which are a very popular nursery theme for baby girls’ rooms. 

There are many ways to incorporate this theme into your baby’s nursery. Consider hanging water color paintings of animals, flowers, or landscapes done in your baby’s nursery. You can also purchase watercolor decals. Then, accompany the water color theme with neutral or water color sheets for the baby's crib. Finally, you may consider finding books that feature watercolor illustrations, or other details that bring watercolors into the room.

3. Forest or Woodland

Foxes, bears, and other woodland creatures are the features of this adorable theme. Often paired with natural wood, shiplap, and other naturally themed details, the forest or woodland theme is adorable for a nursery.

The theme can also be paired with plaid, dark greens, and browns. To bring this theme to life, decorate the nursery with woodland and forest decals or framed pictures. In addition, you can add books that fit the theme such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and other books and toys featuring bears, foxes, squirrels, and other woodland animals.

For those who prefer a nursery that incorporates pink, there are also bedding sets available in the forest or woodland theme.

4. Neutrals and Gender Neutral

Not sure whether you’re having a boy or a girl? For those who want to decorate their nursery in a gender-neutral way, there are also plenty of options. This theme continues to be popular as parents choose not to find out the sex of the baby until birth.

Some popular gender neutral colors include grays, browns, and other neutral colors like yellow or green. There are many gender neutral patterns and colors available to focus your theme. Consider choosing a gender-neutral bedding set and using that as the base of your theme. You can then incorporate the colors from the bedding into the rest of the nursery. From the crib, to the walls, to the furniture, and carpets, a gender neutral pallet can be perfect for the nursery.

One advantage of this theme is that the same nursery and room can be used for another baby without any changes. The theme is clean, easy, and attractive.

Gender neutral themes don’t have to be plain. You can also opt for an animal theme such as sheep, giraffes, or deer in gender neutral colors.

5. Outer Space

3, 2 ,1 blast off! It’s time to fly in a rocket to the moon! An outer space theme is another popular nursery theme for 2021. This theme typically features dark blues, twinkling stars, planets, and the moon. Rockets are another popular addition to this theme.

Many parents go all out when doing this theme and paint a mural wall of the solar system. However, wall decals or images in picture frames are great alternatives.

This is another theme that your baby can easily grow into. Add a rocket pillow, space books, and other space toys to complete the theme. That way, your baby can explore space from the comfort of their room as they grow up. 

6. Dinosaurs

Roar! What kid doesn’t like dinosaurs? Start the obsession young by giving your baby an adorable dinosaur nursery. 

You can make a dinosaur nursery fit in to just about any color scheme, however, blues and grays are most popular for this theme. Most baby gear featuring dinosaurs is toned down to feature the softer, more cuddly side of dinosaurs. However, you can feature the sharp teeth and claws in books and other additions to the nursery as your baby grows.

A great collection of books to consider adding to a nursery with this theme are the “How does a dinosaur...?” books.

7. Rainbows

From bright and colorful to subdued colors, rainbows are the perfect cheerful addition to a nursery. This recent nursery trend looks like it will be popular in 2021 among many parents.

This theme is particularly popular for baby girls, since a pastel rainbow features lots of pinks and purples. Rainbows can also be combined with other themes like unicorns or Noah’s ark.

There are lots of popular rainbow themed toys, such as rainbow building blocks, picture books, and more. You can also add wall decals, a mural, and a rainbow themed mobile.

Whatever theme you decide on for your baby’s nursery, it will be perfect because it was chosen with love. From animals to florals, to rainbows, space, and dinosaurs, your baby will feel right at home in the nursery theme you’ve chosen.

Inspired to start planning your 2021 baby nursery? You can find everything you need as far as bedding and decorations at Lambs & Ivy. We would love to help you pick out your items and create the perfect themed nursery for your child.