How to add whimsical touches to your nursery decor (without spending a fortune)
If you’re looking for nursery decor ideas to create a whimsical nursery on a budget, then you're in the right place. Childhood flies by so fast (it’s such a cliche, but so true what they say about parenthood - the days are long, but the years are short!) and there seems like such a short amount of time to create these magical moments and spaces that become the backdrop of our children’s childhood memories. I’m a mum to twin three year olds and also a nursery print designer and I for one do not want to miss out on seeing their eyes sparkle and their imaginations whirl when they step foot into their room. I’ve made it my mission to add little touches of magic to their toddler room decor (ongoing) so that they can have fond memories of their childhood bedroom. I’m not talking big extravagant things, I’m talking budget friendly nursery decorations, handmade treasures, nursery prints and tiny little touches, that all mount up to create big magic.
My daughter’s twin nursery where I’m adding whimsical nursery decor ideas as they grow.
How to start creating your whimsical nursery
As an adult I think we get very used to the things that are available to us and forget how exciting ‘normal’ things are to children. When I’ve been adding whimsical nursery decor ideas to the girls’ room I like to think back to when I was little and what would have made me really excited - stepping back into that child like mindset really helps you imagine things from their point of view.
My daughters’ whimsical nursery complete with mushroom garland - a budget friendly nursery decoration.
Add a whimsical garland
No whimsical nursery is complete without a garland. I love a mushroom decoration and the lightly themed woodland nursery suits this little motif well, so I handmade this mushroom garland with scraps of fabric - little beads added to the occasional mushroom and colourful gingham fabric scrap details add to the layering of these magical touches. My daughters love to count the mushrooms and I love seeing them interact with their toddler room decor in this way.
A handmade garland is a great nursery decor idea to add a whimsical touch to your nursery decor.
2. Add playful, nature-inspired nursery wall art
Nursery wall art has to be one of the easiest and most budget friendly ways to change up the feeling of your nursery. I have a range of hand-painted nursery prints (including woodland nursery wall prints which are perfect for this whimsical feel) which are designed to spark a curiosity in budding nature lovers and are ideal for sparking imaginations and adding some magic to your nursery decor. Below is the Seasons Print in my twin daughter’s room featuring magical moments that make the most of each season - toasting marshmallows in an autumn evening or hot chocolate with marshmallows in the winter! I love nursery prints that tell a story and start conversations. If you’re looking for more nursery wall art ideas, browse the collection here.
Adding nursery wall art such as the Seasons Print in a wavy frame is the perfect way to add layers of whimsy into your nursery decor.
3. Mix frames for instant whimsy
Anything that’s not standard is perfect here - a hanging wavy frame like the one above, a frame painted in complementary colours with a little stripe detail or a vintage find. These little details are perfect for adding an unexpected touch.
4. Add in cute animals wherever you can squeeze them!
Why have a normal wardrobe handle when you can have mice with whiskers?! If there’s anywhere you can play with these details, it’s a magical nursery. These little whimsical nursery details certainly make me smile and I know my animal obsessed daughters love them too. And if there’s nowhere in your nursery for cute handles like these, why not line up some of their animal toys on a windowsill or paint a little creature in a pretend mouse hole behind the door?
Little hidden details like these mice wardrobe handles are so fun to discover and all add to the whimsical nursery feel.
5. Add handmade wall hangings
To complement your collection of nursery prints and add texture, try adding some more unusual nursery wall art ideas. I made these bird wall hangings with more fabric scraps and I love the calming presence they have on the wall, all adding to that whimsical nursery feel. When it’s bedtime and we’re reading a story, I often look up at this wall and think how calming and magical it looks and I hope the girls remember this scene from their childhoods too.
Handmade wall hangings are a lovely way to add texture to your nursery decor and these flying birds are perfect for a whimsical nursery
6. A home for special treasures
What’s more magical in childhood than filling your pockets with treasures collected on a walk or at the beach and then getting to display them in a little house?! This is a thimble house my mum found from a flea market and it’s perfect for the girls special treasures and we can change it season to season. You could also do this with an old letterpress tray or a mini treasure chest.
A home for treasures is a lovely budget friendly nursery decoration, complemented here by the Seasons Children’s Print.
7. Add small story telling details
These little treasures often have a story to tell or ‘remember when’ attached to them which all helps in conjuring up this magical childhood backdrop. As a twin mum I love designing prints that feel personal and have meaning so that they stand the test of time as your children grow. Have a think about what other story telling details you can add that are personal to your family.
Questions about adding whimsical touches to your nursery decor
What colours should I use?
I think this depends on what feels magical to you. I’ve always thought its really important for our nursery to feel calm and cosy to get the girls in the right kind of mood for going to sleep and to feel secure and safe. For us this means warm terracottas, mustard yellow, soft greens and earthy tones.
How do I keep it budget friendly?
Opting for nursery prints instead of expensive wallpaper, thrifting and upcycling vintage frames as well as adding found objects like shells, cards and your children’s artwork can all help to keep this look budget friendly. The beauty with whimsical nursery decor is that anything really does go as long as it’s conjuring up a little bit of magic. For more budget friendly nursery ideas, view my blog post, how to decorate a nursery without painting.
Bringing whimsical nursery decor to life
Whimsical nursery decor is all about personality rather than perfection. It’s a chance to play, add charming characters, unexpected details, little stories and touches of magic.
If you’re looking for hand-painted nursery prints inspired by nature and childhood wonder, you can explore my collection here.
Emma x