Selecting a color can be the hardest part of creating your baby’s nursery. There are so many to choose from! Of course, you always have the safe and traditional option – blue for a baby boy and pinks for a little girl.
But everyone wants their child’s nursery to stand out. Be different. Thinking outside the box can unleash your creativity. If you’re searching for something unique, why not go with shades of gray or even a combination of black and white instead?
Granted, gray or black are not colors you will find in most nurseries. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in yours! Black doesn’t have to be depressing and gray is not always boring. Black, white, and gray are fantastic neutral colors for the nursery. Walls painted in one of these colors will make a great background to showcase the furniture or toys in the room.
Another point in favor of black or gray: remember that the nursery will eventually have toys, books, and other accessories that don’t fit the color scheme. But if the color scheme is shades of gray? Every new piece you bring inside will enhance the decor and not clash with the colors you picked out so thoughtfully. The same goes for black and white too!
Sold on the idea but not quite sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
Black and White – the Classic Combination
The easiest way to use black and white in the nursery is to paint the walls white and buy furniture in black. It’s a classic combination for a reason. You can highlight the contrast between the colors for dramatic effect. Or tone down the effect by adding a few touches of gray. Combine pieces from the Leander collection in walnut or gray with a white wall for a modern look.
What about the opposite combination? You won’t often find black walls and white furniture. But this combination can appear modern or retro depending on how you accessorize the room. The Sevilla crib in the White Chalet wood finish looks fantastic against a black wall. Accessorize with gold or red furnishings (curtains, pillows etc.) for a vintage or Gothic feel.
Use Black As an Accent on One Wall
Not everyone will like black walls on all four sides. Instead, use black as an accent on a single one. Leave the other walls white or a light gray. Accentuate the black with a white crib or dresser from the Rustico Moderno collection.
A black ceiling can work really well with certain themes like a night sky. Paint some silver stars and white, puffy clouds on it. What a great view for your baby!
You can use a single black wall as a chalkboard too. Draw fun designs or stick white decals on it for a playful atmosphere. Your baby will grow up and add their own doodles too! Bring in white pieces like a rug, dresser or changing table to make it feel bright and not moody.
Try Multiple Shades of Gray
Gray comes in more than one shade but most of us tend to forget that. You can mix and match multiple shades for a cohesive look. A wallpaper with dark and light gray stripes makes a fantastic background for the Cortina crib with the Grey Chalet & Cognac wood finish.
Going for a country or farmhouse feel? Try a gray wallpaper with white birch trees for a soothing effect. It’s a great color for either black or white furniture. You can accent gray walls with both cool or warm colors. Add a bright orange chair for dramatic flair or soothing pastel curtains for a relaxed feel. Gray is the perfect neutral color!
Remember that paint and furniture are not the only design elements you can play with. Furnishings in the room like curtains, rugs, photo frames, stickers, decals etc. offer great opportunities as well. You can bring in a third color if the black and white theme is too stark. Yellow, red, gold, orange, and shades of blue work really well with black walls or furniture. Light gray walls work well with most warm and bright colors. Add a touch of black and white or gray to your baby’s nursery and make it pop!
To get more nursery inspiration visit Natart Juvenile’s new 30th anniversary catalog.
