Nature has a way of making everything feel calmer, softer, and more alive, and that’s exactly why it’s such a beautiful theme for a nursery.
In this roundup, I’ve gathered some of the most creative nature-inspired spaces I’ve come across, from forest murals to garden florals, ocean waves, and even lemon trees. Whether you’re dreaming of something whimsical or earthy, soft or vibrant, there’s a nature-themed nursery idea here for every style.
And they’re not pricey at all, some feature thrifted finds, clever IKEA hacks, or even fully DIY’d murals.
Note: Product sources are linked directly to each image. Just click through to the original post if you’re curious about specific items or want to see more behind-the-scenes details.
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Imagine being born into a family that wanted you this badly. Every detail in this fairy garden nursery by u/peachpearpineapple shows it.
The dresser was thrifted, repainted, and finished with butterfly pulls from Anthropologie. The Rifle Paper Co. wallpaper was tricky to hang, but came together beautifully. The quilt is actually a gift from her friend, and it actually looks so similar to her Golden Retriever.
This nursery by u/maxwellvala is absolutely gorgeous on the surface, with calming colors, sleek furniture, and ocean-themed wallpaper. It looks more like a beachy guest room than a baby’s space.
Actually, it’s missing a few practical must-haves too: a nearby table or cart for feeding essentials, a sealed diaper pail, and storage for dirty laundry. That said, the vibe is serene and beautifully styled. Add some items and it could be both baby-friendly and parent-approved.
“I’m sittin’ here in the boring room…” and I can’t help but wonder if these parents love the Lemon Tree song just a little too much, they even brought it into their baby room. u/wendyokoopa built the entire nursery around lemon trees simply because they made the parents “so happy”.
The leafy wallpaper from Etsy is the star, while the thrifted IKEA furniture (Gulliver crib, Hemnes dresser) gets a bright upgrade with yellow knobs. They also added baby animal prints, and the space becomes this cheerful, gender-neutral room.
I’m obsessed with this Hummingbird garden nursery, especially that light blue wall color called Waterscape by Sherwin-Williams.
If you’re looking for a light pink glider, here’s the link. What makes this nursery better is the maternity photos above the changing station, a handmade crochet blanket from a friend, which all bring warmth and meaning.
Anyone who’s a fan of vintage comics or storybooks would love this nursery, it has that same mix of vibrant colors and cozy charm. But what really drew me in was the woodland mural, such “old school” in the best way.
u/thesunwillrise remodeled a gender-neutral nursery that skips the usual gray minimalism. The mural from photowall.com wraps the space in sunshine, trees, and sweet nature details, and it makes the room feel both classic and imaginative.
If you don’t have a nursery room, why not try a nursery hallway? This came as a clever solution to a one-bedroom apartment setup, and honestly, u/chronography made it feel so intentional and cozy.
The crib fits snugly into a little nook, the West Elm dresser doubles as a changing station, and the whole hallway is brightened by a washable Ruggable runner.
But what really makes it special is the handmade quilt on the wall, it’s handmade by the dad. I love how the little sloth mobile hangs overhead. It’s gender-neutral without being bland.
It’s not often a nursery wall makes you stop and say Wait, that’s not wallpaper? But this one absolutely does. u/NancyScarn’s aunt hand-painted a floral mural so detailed and dreamy, it looks like it was peeled off a high-end design catalog. The brushwork mimics watercolor, using a glaze technique that gives it that soft depth.
Here’s another stunning hand-painted mural, this time brought to life by two seriously talented parents, one an interior designer, the other an architect.
Inspired by medieval tapestries and The Unicorn Rests in the Garden from the Met Cloisters, the two parents painted it themselves over five months using a mini projector and standard wall paint. It looks like something coming out of a storybook. The dad even said, “Even if I didn’t get everything right, at least I cared enough to try.” And that’s what counts.
Credits go to u/__RebelRebel__
This nursery from u/kathleener has lived rent-free in my head since I saw it. Although they said it’s small, honestly, this room might be considered luxury for people living in an apartment like mine. Small but functional, I’m loving the floral blue rug from Rifle Paper Co. rug.
The mural and that sunset in u/Thebeardyrealtor’s nursery steals the show, and knowing it was the dad’s idea and brought to life by a talented friend makes it even more special. There’s a magical woodland vibe to it, especially with the deep green Oakmoss walls (Sherwin-Williams, if you’re wondering). And the Star Wars rug must be the dad’s idea, too, I think.
Look at this forest nursery by u/rwilis2010, it might just be the most heartfelt space I’ve ever seen. The purple accent wall with the backlit moon feels so magical, too.
Every single corner is layered with meaning, from the hand-crocheted ivy and flower blanket to the framed lyrics from invisible string. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Folklore era, packed with family heirlooms and handmade gifts, I must say, this room carries generations of love.
This nursery by u/physicalproxy is pure joy, colorful, warm, and a slap to all beige trends. The mix of rich tones, playful art, and that stunning patterned rug creates a space that feels happy without being overwhelming. The “Let the wild rumpus start” sign gives it a fun vibe, too.
A garden-themed nursery just brings so much joy. u/dgers001’s room looks bright, whimsical, and feels like a space where childhood stories begin. The floral wall decals from Etsy are playful, and the sunny cloud mural lifts the whole room. I love that they kept the guest bed, it’s a genius move. Not only is it convenient for midnight snuggles or cluster feeding sessions, but it’ll eventually become the toddler’s big kid bed.
What amazed me most was how luxe everything looks in this nursery by u/Immediate_Tadpole_96, even though most of it came from IKEA, Target, Amazon, and HomeGoods. That vinyl trellis from Home Depot, framed wallpaper panels, a yellow accent wall, and a bird-shaped lamp create a high-end feel without the high-end budget. I love how the parents DIY’d so much themselves, from the cornice to the drawer pulls.
The yellow and green palette from u/EpicQuests4Crafts is so cheerful and fresh. That leafy mural sets the whole vibe, it’s bold, bright, and totally refreshing. The hand-painted mural alone deserves its own award, but what really impressed me was how much of this space was DIY’d from scratch.
From popcorn ceiling removal to closet builds using scrap wood and IKEA bookshelves, these parents poured heart and sweat into every inch. Pair that with the scattered plant pots around the room and the space just breathes life.
This nursery instantly made me feel calm, like walking into the softest version of a dream. There’s no rigid theme, just thoughtful choices layered with intention, soft grays (Gray Owl, lightened 50%), pale blues, and a framed wallpaper panel that totally elevates the space.
Turns out, the wallpaper is mounted on painted plywood, which not only sidesteps textured walls but gives renters or perfectionists a clever workaround. Bonus points for the origami crane mobile hand-folded during TV nights, and three doggos ready to co-parent.
I’m genuinely obsessed with this one, not just the mural, but the story behind it. When u/AdPresent3841 and her husband were engaged, they hiked Mt. Rainier and promised they’d one day paint their nursery to match the view. Fast forward to now, and he made it happen, painting the entire thing himself.
This nursery feels like a deep breath of fresh forest air. u/PinegroveZen and his wife wanted a space full of greenery and calm, and their friend delivered with a stunning hand-painted mountain mural that can totally see these inspiring little adventures and daydreams as their son grows.
