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The Pink Or Blue Nursery: Refreshed For The Modern Home

Pink and blue may be considered old-school choices for your baby’s room, but that doesn’t mean they need to be outdated. Interior stylist Magdalene Liacopoulos shares her tips to achieving a modern take on these much-loved colors.

Magdalene Liacopoulos Interior & Nursery Stylist

If you’re someone (like me) who couldn’t possibly wait until your baby arrived to find out the gender, opening that little envelope and seeing boy or girl is life changing in more ways than one. Along with deciding a shortlist of names, excitedly thinking about who they’ll look like and what kind of personality they’ll have, starting to think about your nursery decor theme and furniture suddenly rates high on the list — nesting is a real thing! The good news is that long gone are the days of choosing a color scheme based around the traditional, run-of-the-mill pink or blue. Shades such as blush, rose, and sky blue have become hugely popular and can also be the basis for a dreamy, tranquil nursery.

Here, we break down shade and color pairings, as well as furniture and accessories needed to create a modern look:

The Perfect Palette

A pink or blue nursery might seem like a fail-safe option. However being such a conventional color with so many variants you can run the risk of your choices appearing outdated before the baby is born. The best way to prevent fleeting color trends is to steer clear of any hues that are too bold, like bubble-gum pinks or cobalt blues and opt for softer, muted tones. Instead, think pale, powdery pinks and ocean blues that can be styled with complementary colors and finishes. For example, blush pink works beautifully with white and natural plush textures. And for something more girly and feminine, consider accessorizing pink with floral prints or warm gold accents. For a modern take on a pink nursery, bring in pops of earthy shades such as clay, mustard and sage.

The same rules apply for blue. It pairs perfectly with pastels like sage and mint green. Light blue looks smart offset with gray and dark wood furniture, and even better, it’s a style that will grow with your little one.

A neutral base

Now that you have picked a color palette and the general direction for your nursery design, look for furnishings that complement rather than match it. For a timeless and contemporary look, select furniture with a neutral base – these pieces are likely to translate well over the next few years as the nursery morphs into a toddler and junior room. For a modern aesthetic, consider a crib (the versatile Lolly 3-in-1 convertible crib is a great option), and dresser from furniture brand Babyletto; their designs are sleek and practical, and are made from sustainable New Zealand pine. If classic furniture is more your vibe, then look no further than Million Dollar Baby. Think beautiful furniture with a hint of vintage charm that doesn’t compromise on quality or safety. The Abigail 3-in-1 Convertible Iron Crib is a personal favorite, and features the traditional process of metal casting at the joints while providing a non-toxic finish that is lead and phthalate safe.

While I certainly recommend neutral furniture, that doesn’t mean you need to shy away from including a statement piece or bedroom feature. A chair like the Nursery Works Compass Rocker in Blush Velvet can really help tie a room together, while the Cait Kids Sailing Wallpaper has the ability to bring a room to life!

All the extras

Shopping for décor, accessories, then styling and putting the finishing touches to your nursery is where the fun begins. It’s also a great way to bring in some colored accents. Search for décor pieces like a rug, bedding, baskets, and any other accessories that will help organize your nursery. Of course adding something that’s sentimental to the list is a must, like baby’s first toy or a personalized cushion.

The range of bed linen by Coco & Wolf in the Liberty Fabric in Sea Green and Rose Linen hits all the notes for a modern pink nursery! I especially love the hint of blush amongst beautiful on-trend colors like sage and mustard. The same can be said for the Lorena Canals Kim Washable rug, which features pops of blue, mustard and clay that work so beautifully with the color pink.

My favorite accessories for a classic blue nursery include the whimsical Little Lights Hot Air Balloon Lamp, and the Olli Ella Dinkum Doll or Cuddle + Kind’s Noah The Dog. Who can resist buying cuddly toys that your little ones will play with as they grow?