Painting Baby's Nursery? Here are the Best Neutral Color Combos

Preparing a nursery for your new bundle of joy is an exciting time. Deciding on a color scheme sets the tone for your baby's first room and influences the ambience you want to create. Neutral nursery colors provide a soothing, peaceful backdrop that will suit any theme or decor style you choose down the road.

Shades of white, cream, beige and gray blend seamlessly together and with accent colors. Neutral hues keep options open if you want to wait for baby's arrival to find out if it's a boy or girl. Their soft, subtle nature creates a calm environment for resting and playing. When paired with natural textures like wood and woven fabrics, neutrals take on a warm, cozy feel. Read on for why to choose neutral nursery colors and how to mix and match them with creativity.

Why Choose Neutral Nursery Colors?

Neutral paint colors come with many advantages for a nursery space:

• Allow you to keep baby's sex a surprise until birth
• Provide a peaceful, calming atmosphere for baby
• Offer a timeless, classic look that ages gracefully
• Coordinate beautifully with any nursery theme or decor style
• Easy to mix and match different neutral shades
• Low maintenance over time compared to bold colors

Their softly blended, muted nature creates an environment that promotes rest and relaxation for baby. Neutrals serve as a soothing backdrop that fits seamlessly with bright accent colors and playful patterns down the road. With an endless array of tones to work with, it's easy to give neutrals a modern or traditional vibe.

Most Popular Neutral Nursery Paint Colors

Today's top paint brands offer stylish neutral shades perfect for fashionable, soothing nurseries. Here are some of the most popular neutral paint colors for baby's room:

• Sherwin-Williams Dazzle Me! - Light warm gray with tan undertones
• Behr Sugar Puff - Creamy off-white with subtle yellow undertone
• Benjamin Moore Classic Cream - Rich, warm ivory white
• Valspar City Slicker - Light beige-gray with green undertone
• Valspar Wedding Cake - Bright white with a hint of pink
• Behr Cinnamon Toast - Light tan with yellow undertone
• Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige - Light tan beige
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace - Crisp, clean white
• Behr Silver Drop - Cool, sleek gray with blue undertones
• Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray - Soft warm gray

Decorating with Neutral Nursery Colors

When using neutral nursery paint colors, visually divide the room into focal points to create interest. Here's how to decorate different areas:

Walls

Paint the walls in a lighter neutral like a pale gray, tan or light green. These will recede into the background. For contrast, use a slightly deeper neutral shade on an accent wall.

Trims and Moldings

Choose a neutral for trim and moldings that is slightly deeper than walls. A light gray wall with crisp white trim provides nice separation. Contrast creates defined lines.

Furniture

For nursery furniture, consider oak or walnut wood tones. White cribs and dressers keep things fresh and light. Add texture with a cozy neutral upholstered rocker or glider.

Decor Accents

Incorporate visual interest through layering patterns and textures. Add depth with rugs, pillows and blankets in complementary neutrals. Hang some colorful art prints or photos on the wall for a pop of color.

Mixing and Matching Neutral Shades

One of the joys of decorating with neutral nursery paint colors is all the options for putting colors together. Here are some tips for mixing and matching shades:

• Combine varying tones of white, beige, gray, and pale greens and blues.
• Use lighter neutrals like cream or linen white on main walls as your base.
• Add depth by incorporating darker neutrals on accent walls or as trims.
• Repeat colors throughout the nursery for a unified, cohesive look.
• Layer in multiple textures like matte walls and velvet pillows.

Don't be afraid to get creative mixing warm and cool undertones. The result will be a sophisticated, multi-dimensional neutral palette. Use accents like curtains, art and rugs to tie the palette together.

Low-VOC and Low-Odor Nursery Paint

Since babies spend so much time in their nurseries, it's crucial to choose low-VOC nursery paint. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are potentially harmful chemicals released as paint dries. Brands now offer low-VOC and zero-VOC nursery paint options that are safer for baby:

• Contain fewer VOCs, limiting exposure to babies.
• Ensure the nursery paint is labeled "zero-VOC" or "low-VOC."
• Low-odor formulations improve indoor air quality.
• Look for asthma & allergy friendly certification.

Top low-odor nursery paint colors include Mythic by Benjamin Moore, Aura Nursery by Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams Harmony. Protect baby's health with quality low-VOC paint.

Ready to choose your soothing neutral nursery color palette? Here are some stylish ideas to inspire you:

• All white nursery with light wood accents and pops of color from decor
• Creamy beige walls with pale sage green and light tan accents
• Light gray walls with bright white trim and walnut baby furniture
• Warm sand beige walls paired with shades of mushroom, oat and wheat

Whichever route you take, neutral nursery colors create a calm, welcoming room for baby. Mix and match your favorite soft, muted shades and add playful patterns to show off your style. With the right neutrals, you can easily transition the room from newborn stage to toddler years. Baby will love resting, playing and growing in their soothing sanctuary.