Encourage a love of the great outdoors from the beginning by incorporating a nature nursery theme into your little one’s bedroom.
Of all the things us parents need to teach our children, it is my firm opinion that appreciating and respecting nature should be at the top of the list. Of course, raising little treehuggers takes more than decorating their room with woodland creatures, but introducing the animals, plants and colours of the outdoor world at a very young age is a good start.
I also believe a big part of encouraging kids to love nature is teaching them about environmental stewardship, meaning creating a nature themed nursery should include making mindful choices about how the things you buy impact the planet.
Check out my nature-inspired nursery moodboard below to get started on creating a special space for your little one. You can also skip ahead for my tips on choosing sustainable furniture, decor and toys. Let’s begin!
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Nature Nursery Theme Moodboard + Shopping Guide
Even though it’s been about ten years since I created a nursery for my own kids, I still remember so many of the details – and the excitement! I also remember the process can feel really overwhelming, which is why I put together this moodboard for a nature themed nursery.
I purposely chose very neutral furniture pieces and accessories so that they fit with any colour palette. (I picture this room with forest green walls. But truly any colour would work!)
Plus, I created a printable PDF shopping list that you can save to your device and come back to later. And if you’re interested in working with someone (me!) to help pull your dream nursery together, you can buy a custom design package right here!
CoucouBamboo via Etsy
Babyletto
Babyletto
KellyBarnesPortraits via Etsy
OldLinenMill via Etsy
Dutailier via Babysense Boutique
Lorena Canals via Rugs by Roo
OrganiHaus via Amazon
BlueWillowDecor via Etsy
ClaraLoo via Etsy
BrightBelleShop via Etsy
iloveteepee via Etsy
*Muslin blanket sold separately and can be purchased here.
**All four pieces of artwork featured in the moodboard are from the same seller, but must be purchased separately here, here, here and here. The frames are from a different seller who collects and resells vintage frames. Check out their options here.
Need help choosing eco-conscious furniture and decor for your home? That’s what I’m here for!
Start with Sustainably-Made Furniture
The crib is the centrepiece of the nursery and your baby is going to be spending a lot of time (hopefully) sleeping in it. So it’s important to ensure it was constructed and finished with materials that don’t off-gas and aren’t toxic if consumed because – don’t forget – babies put their mouths on everything! A few things to look out for when choosing a crib is FSC-certified wood construction and Greenguard Gold certification.
One of the other big items in your baby’s room is going to be some kind of rocking chair or glider. We went with a secondhand rocking chair that I painted and made cushions for, but I won’t lie – it was a lot of work. Work I was happy to do at the time. But there’s also nothing wrong with investing in a well-made chair because that’s where YOU are going to spending a lot of time.
Look for Decor Featuring Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Animals
Once you’ve got your furniture picked out, it’s time to decorate. And there really are so many ways you can go in this step. My biggest tip would be to not fill the room with every cute nature and woodland inspired thing you can find, but instead to pick a few things that compliment each other – without necessarily “matching.”
For example, I wouldn’t recommend adding in wallpaper with foxes on it, a fox-shaped pillow, a fox-shaped basket and a rug covered with frolicking foxes. (Although this sounds like my oldest baby’s current dream room… by the way she’s eleven now.) Instead, a fox-themed rug could be paired with botanical artwork and subtle floral sheets. Also, decor is where you can bring in vintage and antique items to add personality. Like these lovely vintage brass picture frames.
Stick to a Nature-Inspired Colour Palette
As I mentioned above, the reason I chose neutral items for my nature inspired nursery moodboard is that it so easy to add colour to a room with things like paint, wallpaper and curtains. And in an outdoors themed nursery, all it takes are a few pops of colours like forest green, woodsy brown and moody blue to make the space sing.
That being said, just like I talk about in my post about earth tones, there are so many ways to do a nature-inspired colour palette. After all, nature is filled with every shade from bright oranges and pinks to deep greys and even black. It’s more about the way you put the colours together that make them gel with the whole back-to-nature vibe. (And if you really want someone to just put colours together for you, check out my aptly named Calm Forest paint palette.)
Add in Toys and Accessories that Foster a Love of the Outdoors
I’m a firm believer that babies don’t need a lot of toys, just a few really good ones. (Because in my experience they’re much more interested in the tupperware drawer anyway.) But things like wooden figurines to clang together and a button-free stuffy to chew on are always much appreciated.
So why not choose toys that fit the above description, while also fostering a love of the outdoors AND looking super cute in the nursery? These woodland animals blocks are made from solid wood and would look adorable on a shelf, on the floor and even more adorable in your baby’s hands. And this handmade linen fawn looks like the perfect snuggle-buddy, drool-catcher and is also really pretty to look at.
Happy nursery decorating! Check out all of my moodboards over in my Etsy shop. Need help customizing one to your space? Purchase one and I’ll contact you so we can get started!
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Posted on February 26, 2025
Need help choosing eco-conscious furniture and decor for your home? That’s what I’m here for!
Former architectural technologist. Current treehugger.
I’m here to help you green your home – and your life.
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