Designing a nursery is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new baby — especially when you’re planning a gender-neutral space that can grow with your child.
Whether you’re waiting to find out your baby’s gender, designing a shared nursery, or simply drawn to a more neutral aesthetic, this updated 2025 guide brings together 50 gender-neutral nursery themes that range from cozy and minimalist to playful and imaginative.
From wall art and murals to furniture, color palettes, and thoughtful details, these nursery theme ideas are meant to spark inspiration and help you narrow down what feels right — without pressure to get everything perfect.
💡Get fresh nursery design tips in our complete nursery ideas and inspiration guide.
Quick Picks: Popular Gender-Neutral Nursery Themes for 2026
If you’re short on time, these are a few gender-neutral nursery themes parents are loving right now — versatile, calming, and easy to personalize as your child grows.
- Best nature-inspired theme: Forest Animals
- Best modern gender-neutral nursery: Modern Minimal
- Best whimsical option: Hot Air Balloons
- Best cozy, neutral look: Cozy Earth
- Best playful-but-soft theme: Sunshine
- Best bold yet neutral choice: Outer Space
All of the nursery themes below are gender-neutral, flexible for different styles, and easy to adapt over time as your baby grows.
Nature-Inspired Gender-Neutral Nursery Themes
Forest Animals
This forest animal themed nursery may have neutral colors, but it’s anything but boring.
The wall art prints of woodland animals include hues of gray, orange, and brown, with plenty of interesting detail. The white cribs and picture frames are fresh and crisp, allowing the intricate chandelier to shine. The striped crib bumpers add a finishing touch to the space.
A child of any gender would love this sweet woodland-themed nursery from @thegoldenplume.
Parent tip: This theme is especially popular with parents who want a neutral room that still feels warm and layered rather than minimalist.
Tree
Making a large tree the focal point of your child’s nursery gives it a centering point to build around. You can opt for a wall decal or whimsical wall art.
Incorporating real trees in a gender-neutral room is a great idea. In this nursery from Instagram user @christygcreative, real-looking trees are used to bring the outdoors in and give an earthy vibe to the nursery.
Parent tip: Works well when you want a calming focal point without committing to a full mural or busy pattern.
Rainbows
Somewhere over the rainbow… is a funky, modern nursery that’s perfect for either gender. Fun neutral-colored accessories, a moon and stars wall decal, crisp white furniture, and twinkling lights complete this adorable space.
Parent tip: A sweet option if you want a playful theme that still feels soft and not overly busy.
Seashells
You may not know the sex of your baby yet, but you know they are as unique as a seashell on the shore.
These beautiful prints from @bobbinandbumble create a delicate coastal nursery with gentle neutral tones and light wood, and soft statement pillows. The neutral colours create a very calming effect. The nautical round mirror is a subtle statement piece for the baby room.
Even in small rooms, thoughtful pieces can make it meaningful and impressive.
Parent tip: A nice option if you’re drawn to soft coastal tones and want the room to feel calm and airy.
Ocean
Your love for your baby is as deep and wide as the ocean, so an ocean theme is perfect!
Just like the seashells theme above, this mostly white nursery takes its inspiration from the deep blue sea, but maintains a light, coastal vibe. We love the mix of colors, greenery, and the cozy couch instead of a glider. The decorative items on the bookshelf give a personal touch.
In another interesting take on a gender neutral ocean theme, @petitbunnysa featured this impressive room which uses bold colors, natural wood, and modern photography to achieve a beachy vibe.
Parent tip: This theme tends to feel most soothing when the color palette stays light and balanced rather than heavily saturated.
Cactus
We are loving the trendy cactus nursery theme.
This neutral baby room from @butfirstmaisie features @wallpaperie’s exclusive watercolor cactus paper by artist Ana Guy. The bright colors and playful accent wall balance well with natural elements in the curtains and chandelier.
Parent tip: This theme works best if you want something modern and fun without committing to a bold color palette throughout the entire room.
Farmhouse
To achieve the popular farmhouse look in a baby nursery, the important thing is to focus on special details, soft earth accents, exposed wood, and monochrome palettes.
In this room from a DIY interior designer @the_pleasant_farmhouse, the baby can also gaze at the great outdoors. The style lends itself well to a gender-neutral nursery design.
Parent tip: A practical choice if you already have neutral or wood furniture pieces you’d like to reuse.
Tropical
This baby nursery from Emily Henderson incorporates an intricate jungle mural, simple white baby crib, comfortable blue sitting chair, a fun zebra friend, and plenty of sunlight for an impressive effect.
Parent tip: Great for adding personality through color and texture without making the room feel overly themed.
Boho Garden
This sweet nursery from @tammirkirkness features a boho garden wall mural from @gingermonkey_ on the nursery walls. The neutral colors and layered textures in the mural create an interesting focal point for the room. The funky mobile will be the perfect thing for baby to daydream with.
Parent tip: Parents often love this look for its warmth and texture, especially when the color palette is kept intentionally soft.
Whimsical & Playful Nursery Themes
Nordic
This child’s nursery is bright, clean, and so very fun. The playful space is designed to inspire a child’s imagination. Whimsical prints, lively patterns, and fun accessories give it a nordic charm.
Parent tip: Great for parents who enjoy color and personality, especially when balanced with neutral furniture.
Sunshine
For your child’s nursery, surround them with the same sunshine that they bring to you. We love this giant mustard yellow sunshine sticker from @stickaroo_. Paired with crisp white furniture, and natural wood accessories, the effect is a warm and welcoming room for a child of any age.
The baby clothes hanging on open hangers gives the room a casual, fun vibe.
The sunshine theme can be less obvious, like in this gender-neutral nursery design from @mom_onthemove_. The wall hanging is shaped like a sun, and the nursery features white tones and neutral colors of green, brown, gold, and blue.
Parent tip: A great choice for small nurseries — brighter accents can help the room feel bigger without overwhelming it.
Hot Air Balloons
Hot-air balloons lend a sense of freedom, lightness, and exploration to a baby nursery. This gender-neutral nursery featured on The Spruce is light and airy, with modern lines and small subtle hot air balloons floating over the crib.
Parent tip: This theme works especially well if you want something playful that still feels calm and not overly busy.
Birdhouse
Tweet, tweet! Your little bird will love their special room, complete with birdhouses, tiny birds, and a cozy neutral palette.
This adorable baby room from Instagram user @nana_dyell in Quebec has a nest-shaped textured light fixture as a focal point, wooden furniture, and soft accents.
A great way to bring in birdhouses is with a sweet print like the one you see below, or by sourcing actual birdhouses to place throughout the room on shelving.
Parent tip: A lovely option if you want a gentle theme that feels decorative without being overly literal.
Vintage Bus
The orange and brown color palette of this gender-neutral nursery by @mrskristalkeegan is warm and inviting. The hand woven changing basket is by @kids_tribe. Adding anything hand woven to a nursery is an easy way to add texture and interest, and is especially powerful in a neutral space.
Parent tip: This theme works best when you limit the palette to a few warm tones so the space feels cohesive rather than busy.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
This gender neutral room from @shapeside shines bright among nurseries. The gray green walls create a soothing backdrop for the yellow stars that are aplenty and vary in size, adding interest to the room. A soft cream blanket, wicker basket, and plenty of sunlight create coziness.
Parent tip: A nice option if you want a gentle theme that feels soothing now and still works as your child grows.
Bunny
A bunny theme can take on many different styles, from soft and cozy to modern and bold. The focal point of this mostly white room is a giant graphic print featuring an adorable bunny. The small triangle print wallpaper is the perfect simple backdrop for this dramatic statement piece. A soft gray crib bedding set blends right in, and a wicker basket adds to the casual vibe.
Parent tip: This theme works best when you let one statement piece shine and keep the rest of the room simple.
Chalkboard
The possibilities with a chalkboard are endless! You can write a favorite quote, create some colorful doodles, or feature your baby’s name in big bold letters.
In this sweet space from @m_m_interior_design out of Chicago, the mom has written a loving quote, coupled with a bright yellow comfortable chair, window drapes with a fun pattern, and a striped area rug with all the primary colors.
This is a great example of how a chalkboard can give a small room lots of character and personalization.
Parent tip: This is a fun option if you like changing things up without redecorating the entire room.
Counting Sheep
Make it easy for them to drift off to sleep in their nursery room with fluffy sheep and soft, soothing hues surrounding them. This beautiful neutral room was designed by @homecult, and it demonstrates how smaller rooms have an advantage in the cozy and sweet department.
Parent tip: Especially lovely for parents who want the nursery to feel calm and bedtime-focused.
Clouds
Puffy clouds make everyone happy. This white nursery is fresh and bright, with a patterned rug, traditional lamp, wicker basket, and fun bear rocker.
Parent tip: A simple, flexible theme that pairs easily with almost any accent color.
Animals & Safari-Inspired Nursery Themes
Elephant
Elephants are a symbol of good luck, wisdom, and protection, so they’re the perfect theme for a baby’s nursery. This entire room exudes light, warmth, and good vibes, from the colorful mobile, textured rug, fun lamp, and friendly elephant.
Parent tip: A sweet choice if you want a meaningful theme without leaning too whimsical or cartoonish.
Safari Baby Nursery
This cozy safari room from @cozy_nursery brings out the wild in nursery decor. A jungle mural with safari animals is the backdrop for a small white bed, fun pillows, a eucalyptus plant, natural wood furniture, and cozy floor mats.
Parent tip: This theme works especially well in nurseries with good natural light, where the greens and neutrals really shine.
Llama
Llamas are all the rage with kids these days. This beautiful nursery from @teenymo features different shades of green, a popular gender-neutral color. It incorporates dramatic wall art, a sweet and soft light fixture, floral drapery, and storage bins made from natural materials.
Parent tip: A fun option if you want something playful now that still feels appropriate as your child grows.
Dinosaur
Who says dinosaurs are only for baby boy nurseries? Or that small nurseries can’t be inspiring?
This gender neutral nursery from Instagram user @einllehanbury_ uses fun, colorful wallpaper, high shelving, and interesting textiles to create a welcoming, cozy space.
Parent tip: This theme works best when paired with softer colors or textures to keep it feeling balanced.
Koala Bears
In this beautiful nursery by @wondermade_fabric_wall_decals, adorable koala bear prints, two-toned walls, and eucalyptus wallpaper come together to create a warm and cozy space. Add in your favorite books and accessories for a personal touch.
Parent tip: A great choice for parents who love animal themes but want something calm and not overly busy.
Bumble Bees
There’s something irresistible about the energetic buzz of bumble bees, and the honey they create is as sweet as your new little baby.
This gender-neutral nursery from looksugar.com uses a bee print wallpaper, natural woven wall baskets, a golden blanket, and other meaningful accessories to create a sweet-as-honey space.
Parent tip: This theme adds charm and personality without requiring a lot of bold colors.
Storybook & Imagination-Inspired Nursery Themes
Story Book
To generate baby room ideas, turn to your favorite childhood books. Choose your favorite story book and create a theme around it. You can frame prints, curate special accessories, and draw from the colors in the book.
Popular books include Winnie the Pooh, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Charlotte’s Web, Dr. Seuss books, and The Giving Tree.
These prints are from Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/693932609/storybook-nursery-art-prints-unframed
Parent tip: This theme works especially well if you already have a beloved book in mind and want the room to feel personal and meaningful.
Travel
Inspire your child to travel the world with a nursery that includes interesting or whimsical maps and travel items.
This room featured on @kescollections achieves a neutral look through calm colors and printed old-fashioned maps, a wrought iron crib, and a modern area rug. A rich wood dresser can hold all the baby essentials.
Get fresh nursery design tips in our complete ideas & inspiration guide for the nursery room.
Parent tip: A great choice if you want a gender-neutral theme that feels sophisticated and can easily grow with your child.
Outer Space
They’ll be stargazing right in their very own outer space nursery.
This stunning space by @ericalynnbirr features an accent wall with a space mural, including a giant full moon and surrounding stars. The gray furniture and lamp shade serve as a foundation for a neutral color scheme.
Parent tip: This theme tends to grow well with kids, making it a smart option if you don’t plan to redecorate in a year or two.
Midcentury Modern
Give a nod to decades past with a vintage vibe in your baby nursery. You can opt for midcentury modern or turn-of-the-century as your inspiration.
In the nursery below from Amber Interiors, there is plenty of natural light, midcentury modern furniture, and a beautiful traditional rug.
Parent tip: This style works especially well if you enjoy mixing old and new pieces for a collected, timeless feel.
Modern & Minimal Gender-Neutral Nursery Themes
Modern
If you’re going for a modern look, you could opt for clean white walls, minimalist furniture, bold patterns, and an uncluttered floor space. This beautiful baby nursery was created by the design team at Rehabitat.
Parent tip: Best for parents who prefer fewer decorative elements and want the nursery to transition easily into a toddler room.
Cozy Earth
Simple, earth-tone prints could be the inspiration for a whole room! They can help to create a cozy nursery that pays homage to our natural surroundings.
Parent tip: A great fit if you want the room to feel calming and grounded, especially for naps and bedtime.
More Gender-Neutral Nursery Theme Ideas
Arctic Adventure
Incorporate polar bears, igloos, and soft blue and white hues to create a cool and serene nursery space.
Parent tip: A nice fit for parents drawn to calm palettes that still feel playful.
Woodland Fairytale
Think enchanted forest with mythical creatures and fairy-inspired accessories, using earthy tones and natural textures.
Parent tip: This theme works well when you keep the color palette grounded to avoid feeling too busy.
Geometry Fun
Use geometric shapes on walls, bedding, and decor for a modern and playful room.
Parent tip: A good option if you like bold visuals but want to stick with simple furniture.
Art Deco Glam
Introduce the bold lines and metallic accents of Art Deco for a touch of vintage sophistication.
Parent tip: Best used sparingly so the room still feels soft and nursery-appropriate.
Rustic Retreat
Embrace a cabin-like feel with plaid patterns, antler decor, and warm wood finishes.
Parent tip: Works especially well in homes with existing rustic or farmhouse elements.
Zen Garden
Create a calming space with elements inspired by Japanese gardens, like pebble mats and bamboo.
Parent tip: Ideal for parents prioritizing a peaceful, low-stimulation nursery.
Celestial Dreams
A starry theme with moons, stars, and galaxies to inspire cosmic wonder.
Parent tip: This theme grows nicely with kids, from nursery to early elementary years.
Muted Rainforest
Go for a tropical vibe with toned-down greens and animal prints.
Parent tip: Keeping colors muted helps this theme feel soothing rather than overwhelming.
Aviation Enthusiast
Airplanes, clouds, and sky blue touches for a high-flying adventure theme.
Parent tip: A playful option that still feels classic and not overly themed.
Nordic Charm
Minimalist furniture, neutral colors, and touches of nature inspired by Scandinavian design.
Parent tip: Great for parents who love clean lines and uncluttered spaces.
Sports Fanatic
Incorporate subtle sports elements, like vintage leather balls and pennant flags.
Parent tip: Works best when sports references are kept subtle and textural.
Botanical Oasis
Use plant motifs and greenery to bring a touch of nature indoors.
Parent tip: A flexible theme that pairs easily with almost any neutral palette.
Abstract Artistry
Bold abstract art and primary colors for a visually stimulating environment.
Parent tip: Best suited for parents who enjoy color and statement pieces.
Under the Big Top
A circus-themed nursery with whimsical stripes and playful accents.
Parent tip: Keeping the color scheme cohesive helps this theme feel charming, not chaotic.
Maritime Explorer
Nautical elements like ships, anchors, and navy stripes for a sea-worthy space.
Parent tip: A timeless theme that works well in coastal or lake-area homes.
Jungle Safari
Mix and match animal prints with natural fibers for a wild and adventurous feel.
Parent tip: Limiting the number of animal prints keeps the look balanced.
Gemstone Glamour
Jewel tones and geometric shapes for a nursery that sparkles with personality.
Parent tip: A little goes a long way — accents shine more than full saturation here.
Sustainable Sanctuary
Eco-friendly materials and upcycled decor for an environmentally conscious theme.
Parent tip: A meaningful option for parents focused on sustainability and simplicity.
Musical Harmony
Musical notes, instruments, and soft lullaby references to inspire a love for music.
Parent tip: This theme feels especially sweet when paired with soft textures and neutral walls.
We hope this curated collection of gender-neutral nursery themes helped you narrow down what feels right for your family. Whether you keep things neutral long-term or plan to add more personalized details later, the most important thing is creating a space that feels calm, welcoming, and meaningful to you.
As you wait for your baby’s arrival, we hope this nursery becomes the backdrop for quiet moments, sweet routines, and memories you’ll cherish for years to come. Congratulations on this exciting next chapter.
More Nursery Ideas & Planning Resources
Still planning your nursery? These related guides cover décor ideas, furniture essentials, and thoughtful finishing touches to help you bring your space together.
- 100 Baby Girl Nursery Ideas You’ll Love
- Baby Boy Nursery Themes
- 100 Best Books for Your Baby’s Nursery
- 8 Best Nursery Recliners According to Reviews
- Best Blackout Curtains for Your Nursery
- Best Glider Rocker for Nursery
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
