With a new baby, picking nursery paint may not seem like your top priority. Believe me, I know! Still, it sets the mood for a room where you'll spend a lot of time. To help, I've gathered a big list of the best nursery paint colors to get you started.
You may remember that it took me nearly a year to turn a vision board into reality for my daughter's nursery makeover almost a decade ago. It was packed with fun DIY projects that made it extra special, and I love how it turned out.
The paint color I ultimately chose, Benjamin Moore Lido Green, ended up being a bit of a surprise. I just knew I was going to go with the more blue of the two hues, Robin’s Egg – until I tried both on the wall. More on that lovely mint green when we get to the list.
First, I'll answer a few common big-picture questions about painting a nursery.
Pro Tip
Whenever you pick a new paint color, test the real paint color in your home first!
The quickest and easiest way to do that is with Samplize! I use them exclusively for paint samples now. There's no mess and no leftover sample pots. Plus, these peel-and-stick squares are made from real paint, so they're easy to move around the room and keep for future reference!
Get REAL Paint Samples
NOTE: If you're painting the room yourself, these tools will be a huge help. And this post shares my top tips for painting a room in 5 easy steps.
What paint is safe to use in a nursery?
For the safest option in a baby's nursery, look for low-VOC paints or, even better, zero-VOC paints. VOCs are solvent chemicals that escape into the air as paint dries, and they can sometimes cause symptoms like headaches and nausea. Ask your paint store about low- or zero-VOC choices.
Does a nursery need lots of color?
Not necessarily. Some colors are popular go-to choices, but the perfect nursery is one that feels calming to you and your little one. For some families that means lots of color, and for others little or none. I've included a section below just for neutral nursery colors.
Color makes a big difference, but rugs, curtains and art also shape how relaxing the room feels. Starting with a design board keeps you focused and the look cohesive.
Which colors work best for a nursery?
Color psychology suggests soft blues and greens, lavenders, warm grays, gentle pinks and yellows for calming spaces. You'll find shades of all of these here, along with a few unconventional palettes that use an accent color or wallpaper creatively.
As always, think about the room's natural light. If there's plenty, a cooler palette will balance it nicely. If the room is darker, warmer colors can make up for it.
Top Nursery Paint Colors for Girls
I'll start with nursery paint colors for girls, since that's where I have the most personal experience! The first three examples show some of the colors I've used in our girls' rooms over the years.
1. Benjamin Moore Lido Green
I fell in love with this soft, minty green-blue after sampling it on the wall beside my first choice, Robin's Egg blue. You can read more about it in my earlier post about Lido Green paint.
2. Farrow & Ball No. 202 Pink Ground
This lovely peachy pink looked gorgeous in the room the girls shared for a while. I still remember how excited they were to finally get bunk beds! Be sure to check out this soft pink on the Farrow & Ball website, which shows how it changes in different light. It's so dynamic.
3. Benjamin Moore Cream Puff
This soft light pink set the tone beautifully in our firstborn's nursery and made the move to a big girl's room easy as she grew.
4. Benjamin Moore Raspberry Ice
I love the light, airy feel of this cool, pale purple with gray undertones that keep it soft and welcoming. It also pairs nicely with both warm and true whites.
5. Benjamin Moore Seaside Sand
Although this deep mauve is described as a near-neutral, I like how the space lets it make the statement, with warm floors, a light natural rug, white furniture and a mobile.
Top Nursery Paint Colors for Boys
I admit it was fun to find my favorite nursery paint colors for boys, since I've never designed a room for a son of my own. With my second child's nursery, the woodland theme nodded to her father's hunting hobby. I know it still wasn't exactly rugged.
After a bit of imaginary baby-boy planning, here are my picks for the best nursery paint colors for boys' rooms.
1. Sherwin Williams Retreat
Speaking of the outdoors, this medium-to-dark green has calming blue-gray undertones and is described as bringing "the fresh feeling of mountain air." Natural fabrics and tree and earth tones suit that theme well. Check out my list of top sage green paint colors for similar options.
2. Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Hale Navy is a favorite in my own home and my choice for our living room, which is filled with light from a wall of windows. The contrast works just as well here as an accent wall, which proves dark colors can fit almost anywhere. I found the wooden crib against the dark wall an interesting choice over white furniture, but with everything else light and bright, it works.
3. Benjamin Moore Whitestone
Focus on the word "stone" rather than "white" in this one's name. It's a cool light gray that pairs well with blue accessories and warm woods.
4. Benjamin Moore First Snowfall
This color is described as a "delicate blue-gray," though I see hints of lilac when it's paired with these hydrangeas and this gorgeous rug. Don't you? Click through to see the whole nursery and how it plays off the lovely watercolor-style mural on an adjoining wall.
5. Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray
Described as a "steely gray with hints of blue," this shade makes a lovely accent wall that looks almost like a calm sky next to the natural elements and artwork here.
6. Benjamin Moore Lehigh Green
This bold, grassy green is an unexpected choice that creates a lush backdrop. It works beautifully with many shades of blue because it has a touch of blue in it. I adore the blue painted ceiling, a custom color she shares in her nursery reveal.
The Best Neutrals for Nursery Walls
I've shown how our girls' rooms changed as they grew and their tastes evolved, but if you want the most flexibility for later, consider a neutral nursery. I'm not necessarily going the usual green-and-yellow route for a gender-neutral nursery; I mean true neutral palettes. Here are some of my favorite neutral paint colors for that.
1. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
This may be the best overall pick, since it works so well with both warm and cool tones. Notice how it sits nicely with the cool gray crib, the warm wood frames and the deep redwood rocking chair? I've used this paint in my former living room and primary bedroom, so I know firsthand how flexible it is.
2. Benjamin Moore Big Bend Beige
Online, this color looks almost like putty and is described as reminiscent of desert clay. In plenty of light, a hint of pink shows through. It's such a soothing neutral for a nursery, especially alongside pastels and cozy textures.
3. Sherwin Williams Alabaster
This white suits any room and is warm enough to create the soothing vibe you want in a nursery.
4. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
This one has a similar warming effect but leans grayer. It's named after the tree it resembles and pairs especially well with other natural colors or brighter whites, as shown here.
5. Benjamin Moore Paper White
This shade has just enough blue-gray to contrast with bright white furniture and trim, adding depth to the room.
Lovely Nursery Wallpaper & Accent Wall Ideas
I've shared some accent wall examples to highlight particular colors. Here are a few more I like for wallpaper, feature walls or other accents. You can create a nursery accent wall with patterned wallpaper, a contrasting color, a large gallery arrangement or a mix of these. Take a look.
1. Traditional Woodland Nursery with Wallpaper
This entire nursery is covered in Pure Acorn wallpaper by Morris & Co. in linen and ecru. These neutrals still add plenty of visual interest and warmth. The deep greens of the nature scenes and the mix of woods and metals in the gallery art create a stunning focal point above the crib.
2. Lovely Patterns from Studio McGee
This Florencecourt wallpaper in Stone from McGee & Co. has a similar effect. Its busy pattern adds texture while still feeling cozy, since the neutral tones blend so well. And the Benjamin Moore Just Beige on the ceiling? Just enough pink.
3. Delightful Polka Dot Wallpaper Accent Wall
And speaking of pink, don't you just love this accent wall of Schumacher Raindots polka dot wallpaper in Washed Pink?
4. Fabulous Finished Attic with Slatted Wood Feature Wall
Last, this accent wall of gray pine shiplap was a game-changer in this dramatic attic makeover.
Closing Thoughts
I hope these nursery paint color ideas help as you plan a special space for your little one. Let me know if you have favorites among these (or others!). As always, if you have questions, just ask!
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