Creating a nursery is a deeply personal and exciting experience for expecting parents. Choosing the right color scheme sets the tone for the entire room, fostering a calming, stimulating, or whimsical environment for your little one. While traditional pinks and blues remain popular, purple offers a sophisticated and versatile alternative.
Purple, with its varying shades from delicate lavender to rich plum, can evoke feelings of tranquility, creativity, and even royalty, making it a perfect choice for a nursery. This blog post will explore 13 distinct purple nursery ideas, covering various shades, design styles, and accent color pairings to inspire you in creating the perfect haven for your baby.
This guide goes beyond simply choosing a purple paint color. We’ll delve into integrating purple through furniture, textiles, wall art, and decorative accents.
Purple Nursery Ideas
From creating a soothing lavender haven to incorporating bold purple statements, we’ll explore how to use this captivating color to create a nursery that is both beautiful and functional. Prepare to be inspired and equipped with practical ideas to design the purple nursery of your dreams.
1. Embracing the Soothing Power of Lavender

Lavender is a quintessential nursery color, known for its calming and relaxing properties. This soft, muted purple is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of other hues. Think of a lavender-painted nursery with crisp white trim and furniture – the contrast creates a clean, airy feel. Introduce natural elements like wicker baskets for storage and wooden accents to add warmth and texture.
To enhance the calming atmosphere, consider incorporating lavender-scented items, such as essential oil diffusers or dried lavender sachets placed strategically around the room (ensuring they are out of reach of the baby).
Choose soft, flowing fabrics like linen or cotton for curtains and bedding in complementary shades of white, cream, or pale gray. Lavender nurseries are perfect for creating a serene and peaceful environment that promotes restful sleep for both baby and parents.
2. Royal Hues: Incorporating Rich Plum and Eggplant

For a more dramatic and luxurious feel, consider incorporating richer shades of purple like plum or eggplant. These deeper hues bring a sense of sophistication and warmth to the nursery. However, it’s crucial to use them strategically to avoid making the room feel too dark or overwhelming.
Pair plum walls with lighter furniture in shades of cream, ivory, or even light gray to create a balanced aesthetic. Introduce metallic accents like gold or brass through light fixtures, picture frames, or decorative accessories to add a touch of glamour.
Consider using plum as an accent color on a feature wall or through textiles like curtains or rugs. These deeper purples are perfect for creating a statement nursery with a touch of elegance and opulence. Remember to balance the boldness with plenty of natural light and lighter contrasting elements.
3. Lilac Dreams: A Whimsical and Delicate Choice

Lilac offers a lighter and more whimsical alternative to lavender. This delicate shade of purple evokes a sense of innocence and playfulness, making it a wonderful choice for a nursery. Lilac pairs beautifully with pastel colors like mint green, baby pink, or pale yellow, creating a soft and dreamy atmosphere.
Consider a lilac-painted room with white or light-colored furniture. Add pops of color through accessories like cushions, throws, or wall art.
A lilac and white striped wall can create a visually interesting and playful backdrop. Introduce whimsical elements like fairy lights, stuffed animals, and mobiles to enhance the playful feel of the nursery. Lilac nurseries are perfect for creating a cheerful and inviting space that fosters imagination and creativity.
4. Purple and Gray: A Modern and Chic Combination
Purple and gray create a sophisticated and modern color palette for a nursery. This combination is gender-neutral and versatile, allowing for a range of design styles. A light gray wall with purple accents creates a calming and contemporary feel.
Consider using gray furniture with purple bedding and accessories, or vice versa. Introduce patterns like stripes, chevrons, or geometric shapes to add visual interest. Metallic accents like silver or chrome can complement the cool tones of gray and purple.
The key is to find the right balance between the two colors – too much gray can feel sterile, while too much purple can feel overwhelming. A well-executed purple and gray nursery is both stylish and serene, creating a sophisticated haven for your little one.
5. Purple and White: A Classic and Timeless Look

Purple and white is a classic color combination that is both elegant and timeless. This pairing creates a clean, crisp, and sophisticated look that is perfect for a nursery. White walls with purple accents, such as furniture, bedding, or curtains, will make the room feel bright and airy.
Conversely, purple walls with white furniture can create a more dramatic effect, but remember to balance the intensity of the purple with plenty of white to prevent the room from feeling too dark. Consider incorporating patterns like polka dots, stripes, or floral designs to add visual interest.
Purple and white is a versatile combination that can be adapted to a variety of design styles, from traditional to modern. This pairing promotes tranquility and purity, creating a space that is both beautiful and functional.
6. Adding Pops of Pink: A Playful Twist

Purple and pink can create a fun and playful atmosphere in a nursery. This combination is particularly suitable for a baby girl’s room, but can also work for a gender-neutral space when used thoughtfully. Consider using purple as the primary color with pink accents, or vice versa.
For example, a lavender wall with pink bedding and accessories can create a soft and feminine look. You could also incorporate pink and purple patterned wallpaper for a bolder statement. The key is to find the right shades of pink and purple that complement each other.
Muted or pastel shades are generally more calming and appropriate for a nursery than bright, neon colors. Purple and pink together can create a sweet and cheerful haven for your little one.
7. Golden Accents: Adding Warmth and Luxury

Adding golden accents to a purple nursery can instantly elevate the space and create a feeling of warmth and luxury. Gold complements purple beautifully, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. Consider incorporating gold through light fixtures, picture frames, mirrors, or decorative accessories.
A gold-painted crib or dresser can make a stunning statement piece. You can also incorporate gold through patterns like gold polka dots on the walls or gold stripes on the curtains. Be careful not to overdo it with the gold, as too much can make the room feel gaudy. A few well-placed golden accents can add just the right amount of sparkle and elegance to a purple nursery.
8. The Power of Purple Wallpaper

Wallpaper can transform a nursery, adding pattern, texture, and visual interest to the space. Purple wallpaper comes in a variety of styles, from subtle floral designs to bold geometric patterns. Consider a lavender floral wallpaper for a soft and feminine look, or a purple and gray striped wallpaper for a more modern feel.
A textured purple wallpaper can add depth and dimension to the walls. When choosing wallpaper, consider the size of the room and the amount of natural light.
Smaller rooms may benefit from lighter shades of purple and smaller patterns, while larger rooms can handle bolder colors and designs. Remember to choose wallpaper that is durable and easy to clean, as nurseries can be messy places!
9. Purple Furniture: A Statement Piece

Purple furniture can make a bold statement in a nursery. A purple crib, dresser, or rocking chair can become the focal point of the room. Consider a lavender crib for a soft and whimsical look, or a plum dresser for a more sophisticated feel.
If you’re hesitant to commit to a large piece of purple furniture, you can start with smaller items like a purple ottoman or a purple side table. When choosing purple furniture, consider the overall style of the nursery and the other colors in the room. Choose furniture that is safe, durable, and easy to clean.
10. Purple Textiles: Bedding, Curtains, and Rugs

Textiles are a great way to incorporate purple into a nursery without making a permanent commitment. Purple bedding, curtains, and rugs can add color, texture, and warmth to the space. Consider a lavender quilt for a soft and cozy feel, or a purple and white striped rug for a more modern look.
Choose fabrics that are soft, comfortable, and easy to clean. Consider layering different textures to add depth and dimension to the room. Purple curtains can help to block out light and create a restful environment for your baby.
11. DIY Purple Nursery Decor

Creating your own purple nursery decor can be a fun and affordable way to personalize the space. Consider painting a purple mural on the wall, or creating a purple mobile out of felt or paper. You can also make your own purple throw pillows or curtains.
DIY projects allow you to express your creativity and create unique pieces that reflect your personal style. There are tons of DIY tutorials online that can provide inspiration and guidance. Remember to use non-toxic materials and ensure that your DIY projects are safe for your baby.
12. Purple Nursery Lighting: Setting the Mood

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the right atmosphere in a nursery. Soft, warm lighting is ideal for creating a calming and relaxing environment. Consider a purple-toned nightlight to create a soothing glow at night.
You can also incorporate purple lampshades or string lights to add a touch of color and whimsy. Dimmable lights are a great option as they allow you to adjust the brightness to suit different needs. Avoid harsh, bright lights that can be overstimulating for your baby.
13. Themed Purple Nurseries: Fairytales and Fantasy

Purple lends itself perfectly to themed nurseries, particularly those inspired by fairytales and fantasy. Think whimsical unicorns, enchanted forests, or regal princesses. Incorporate elements like castle-shaped bookshelves, unicorn wall decals, or shimmering fabrics.
Choose accessories that complement the theme, such as fairy lights, stuffed animals, or fantasy-themed books. A purple canopy over the crib can create a magical and enchanting space. Themed nurseries can spark your baby’s imagination and create a sense of wonder.