Is Adding A Theme To Your Nursery Worth It In The Long Run? Our Expert Weighs In

As people lean more into minimalistic and neutral themes throughout their homes, it's normal that rooms such as nurseries may become more simplistic and basic, too. Keeping children's rooms and especially nurseries gender neutral is also a big trend, and while these decor schemes offer a blank canvas to add to or adjust as your kids grow up, it does take away a little of the excitement that comes with accessorizing and furnishing a themed room. During an exclusive interview with Sarah Bilotta, design historian, independent, House Digest got the scoop on whether themed nurseries are outdated or a good idea that's worth the effort in the long run. 

Bilotta explains that while a specific theme can make some elements of decorating tricky, "themed nurseries have a long history which reflects the benefit that an interactive theme has for both the parents and the child." When you're expecting, every new milestone and change is an exciting part of the overall adventure of becoming parents. One of the most special endeavors is getting your new nursery ready so that when you bring baby home, they have a room all ready to receive them. 

"Decorating a nursery is one of the most fun parts of getting your house ready for a new baby," Bilotta notes. "Adding a theme to the nursery is even more fun, as you get to devise a cohesive color palette and hunt for specific decor." The best way to design a baby's nursery is to create a positive environment, and a theme can absolutely contribute to that.

It's normal that as home trends change, so do specific design practices. However, while guests rooms may be best left neutral and simple, having a theme in areas like a nursery can be beneficial, offering not only a cozy respite but a healthy atmosphere for your baby to grow in and interact with. "The first nursery-specific decor emerged in the Enlightenment age, alongside research on how infants and toddlers interact with their environment," Sarah Bilotta exclusively tells House Digest. "A colorful, playful, and interactive theme can help your child learn and grow." This environment can help teach skills, especially if there are elements that stimulate your little one's mind.

Those elements to help improve your baby's development can come from color, patterns, and textiles repeated throughout the room. "A theme gives direction to your design process and leads you towards certain colorways and decor," she says. It also allows you to add personalized touches and, according to Bilotta, to "imagine what might interest your child as they grow." 

Bilotta advises to get creative and avoid boxing yourself in. "Your theme doesn't have to be tangible (like farm animals or flowers)," she says. "It can be completely abstract: One color like 'sage green' or 'dusty rose' can guide your entire vision." She adds that she has seen some really fun and fresh nursery design trends. "Some of the most fun nurseries I've seen originated with wild and abstract ideas like 'outer space' and 'vintage baby' (complete with a toddler-friendly mini diner table)," she says.

As with any decor trend or design scheme, there can be drawbacks to incorporating a theme in your nursery. These may not be detrimental, but they are always helpful to consider so you're prepared if issues arise. For example, during her exclusive interview with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta explains that opting for a specific theme can limit your options, especially when it comes to contributions from friends and family. "This can make it slightly more difficult for your friends and family to gift you accessories," she says. 

Another concern is the ever-encroaching need to update the room as your child grows. If you have large murals, built-in furniture, or theme-specific flooring, these might be trickier to replace down the line. She recommends making sure "it is functional for the next few years of your child's growth." This includes adding pieces intentionally so that, when it's time to get rid of a crib or changing table, it won't throw off the layout. Bilotta adds, "A theme can relieve some of the stress of redecorating an entire room. It gives you purpose and direction, like a map you have to follow ... [to] help you create a cohesive look."

Bilotta notes that one easily avoidable mistake people make is sacrificing comfort in favor of theme-relevant pieces. You can still have a chic nursery even with a theme. As Bilotta says, "Your life (and your baby's) will flow more smoothly if your nursery is set up for ease of use," so make sure to opt for comfortable furnishings no matter what your theme is so everyone feels cozy inside the nursery.