Nursery Wall Art Ideas
The best nursery wall art is gentle in colour, simple in subject, and hung safely out of reach. Animals, moons and stars and soft nature scenes suit almost any nursery, and choosing designs that are not too babyish means the art can grow with your child.
Below: what art suits a nursery, calming colours, where and how to hang it safely, and prints chosen for the job.
Prints for this look
What art works best in a nursery
- Animals. Bears, whales, foxes, lions and birds are friendly, easy to read for small eyes and loved for years. See our wild animal prints for older-looking options too.
- Moon, stars and clouds. Sleepy, calm subjects that suit a room built around rest.
- Nature and botanicals. Leaves, trees and flowers in soft colours keep a nursery feeling fresh rather than themed.
- Simple words. A short line or a name-style print adds a personal touch.
Should nursery art be gender neutral? It does not have to be, but neutral subjects and colours are the most flexible. They suit a second child, a shared room or a change of mind later. Browse the full nursery wall art collection.
Calming colours for a nursery
Soft, slightly muted shades are the most restful: warm white, oatmeal, sage green, dusty blue, blush and pale yellow. Keep the walls light and let the art carry a little more colour, repeating one shade from the bedding, rug or curtains.
Neutral nursery ideas work especially well with wood furniture, linen and wicker. Add one gentle accent colour in the prints and the room will feel warm without being busy.
Hanging nursery art safely
Is it safe to hang art above a cot? It is best avoided. A small hand can pull at a frame, and a frame that falls is a risk. Hang art beside the cot instead, or above a chest of drawers or changing unit.
- Use acrylic, not glass, in any frame a child could reach or knock.
- Fix every frame securely with two hooks or screws, so it cannot swing or lift off.
- Keep frames well above where a standing toddler can reach if they are near a cot or bed.
- Avoid hanging cords, string or loose decorations anywhere near where your baby sleeps.
On an open wall, hang the centre of the print at about 145 to 150 cm from the floor. Next to a feeding chair, you can hang a small print a little lower so you see it while sitting.
How many prints, and art that grows with your child
One larger print on the main wall plus two or three smaller ones is plenty for most nurseries. A set of three matching A4 prints above a chest of drawers is an easy, tidy option. If you want a gallery wall, keep it to one colour family and leave 5 to 8 cm between frames.
Choose prints you will still like when the nursery becomes a toddler room. Our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames. Keep the frames and simply swap the print when your child is ready for something new. For ideas beyond art, see our post on wall painting ideas for a nursery.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
