Published on August 10, 2018 | Last Updated on May 15, 2020
This nursery proves that minimal style can be full of heart. Neutral colors and Scandinavian-style furniture take center stage in this minimal nursery designed with heart.
All photos by: Life Created
The Heart of This Minimal Nursery Design
This minimal nursery project was special for me because my niece was the first grandchild in our family and baby River will be the first great-grandchild (my first great-niece). I’m currently working on Hannah’s teenage room and Noelle’s sunshine suite, but getting to work on a room for a precious baby is such a special treat. I considered it an honor to use my passion for design to create a peaceful, comfortable, and stylish space to welcome this next generation of our family. [Update: Baby River Renee has arrived and is healthy, happy, and loving her new digs!]
Minimal Nursery Design Choices
I knew my niece loved Scandinavian style and preferred a minimal, tone-on-tone aesthetic. That helped me understand what direction to take the design; textural, unique, and minimal. Their budget and timeline for this space were minimal as well, so we utilized my favorite concept of mixing high and low to achieve the dream space my niece desired.
We couldn’t find a new dresser she loved, so we sourced an amazing collector’s edition dresser from Craigslist. It added loads of texture and interest, and it ended up being worth a lot more than what they paid for it!
Minimal Design Elements With Heart
A live tree was a must in this nursery design. My dad (my niece’s grandpa), who passed away five years ago, was a landscaper, and he pretty much raised my niece, so she wanted a nod to him in this space.
A few of my niece’s favorite elements in the room are the subdued, textural pillows, the striking Mother and Child art, and these ceramic bells on the wall.
My favorite items are the mid-century modern crib and the vintage rattan rocking horse I picked up in Nashville. My niece and I both love antique stores and vintage items, and I hope this little one will grow up to appreciate those things as well.
The rug was the final layer to be added to this minimal nursery with heart, and it pulled the whole design together beautifully. My niece’s pup seemed to love this addition.
Minimal and Meaningful Nursery Design
Everything in this minimal nursery design can be reused for future kids, regardless of gender, and several items can be used throughout the home when they are done being used for babies. This element of re-usability was a must for my niece. The dresser will grow with baby, the crib converts to a toddler bed, and the rug can be used anywhere. While all the accessories work for a nursery, individually they could work in any room.
Designing this minimal nursery was an expression of love for my niece and her daughter. I wanted to give her a haven of rest and a beautiful space to bond and make memories. I also needed to help her stay in budget and make practical design choices. Together, we achieved those goals and so much more, and I’m pleased to report that my niece loves every detail of her baby’s minimal nursery designed with heart.
I have stopped doing design work for clients, but have been blessed to work on two very special projects for family members; this one and my aunt and uncle’s beautiful Brooklyn apartment. Two very different styles from each other and my own, but all full of heart.
So, what do you think of a minimal nursery for a baby? I’d love to hear your opinion below.
Until the next project,
Other Product Sources:
- White Drapes: Ikea Lejongap
- Dresser: Vintage
- Rug: Home Goods (I’ve linked some similar ones)
- Bamboo Blinds: Lowe’s
- Mustard Striped Pom Pom Blanket: Atelier Buffo
- Artwork Above Crib: Chaos and Wonder shop on Etsy
- Pompom and Striped Pillows: Linen and Stripes shop on Etsy
- Blue-Gray Lamp on Dresser: Home Goods
- Acrylic Frame: Highland Hardware shop on Etsy
- Basket for Tree: Home Goods but similar ones are at World Market
- Ottoman: Wayfair
- Rockinghorse: Vintage (Similar One on One Kings Lane)
So classically beautiful and timeless! Great job.
Thank you so much Carole! This was so fun for me and so special!
Just beautiful! Love the minimalist feel and yet still cozy!!
Thank you Karen! That was exactly the feel I was trying to create for this sweet family! Minimal can be cozy for sure.
Maryann, you ROCKED this nursery (and first post). Such a fabulous space. Love it all!
~Marissa
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and your visit to my blog!
I’m so excited to follow your blog! You are so talented and I can hardly wait to see more of the spaces you create!
I’m excited for you to follow my blog Amanda! Thank you for the kind words and the enthusiasm!
YOU NAILED IT!!! I love so many of the details in this nursery – those ceramic bells were unique + fun. And I especially love the re-usable aspect and being able to use a lot of these elements ANYWHERE in the house. Bravo!
Thanks so much Tana! I’m discovering how important the element of multi-purpose and re-usability is to millenials. I think it’s fantastic and it’s how I have operated for a very long time so it was easy to incorporate that. Thanks for everything!!
Marynn this nursery is absolutely gorgeous! That vintage dresser was a real find!
-Laura
Thank you Laura! Yes it was. My niece and I were both jumping for joy when we found this and that it was a collector’s edition! My niece and her husband are true millennials and LOVE reusing things and collecting vintage furniture.
I absolutely love the minimalism, and every single detail!
Thank you Christina! I love the minimalism too because it’s not my usual style. I love to create spaces in every different type of style so I had fun with this one.
Wow! You did such an amazing job at transforming this into a nursery that fits their style! I’m loving every part of it.
Thank you so much Jackie! It’s always my goal to create spaces unique to my clients and my niece and her husband were no exception. It was fun!
What a beautifully designed space!
Thank you Karan! I enjoyed creating this little space for my great-niece!
Wow what a beautiful design, you are so talented! The nursery turned out so sweet! Just love your blog…good luck on your new adventure!
Thank you so much! I love what I do and I’m excited to blog about it all!
Beautiful! I love the simple elegance of the room; perfect and soothing!
Hi!!! Thanks for reading my first post and commenting! Alyssa kept texting me after I left, saying “This is my favorite room. I just love this room.” That was my goal!
How cool is that…to have your daughter design your first great granddaughter’s nursery! Marynn these pictures are stunning but the creative mind behind the design just blows me away! Proud to say you are my daughter! Keep dreaming and reaching for the stars…the world is in for a beautiful treat! I love you. Mom
You are the sweetest mom! And thank you for leaving my very first comment! It was fun and so special to design River’s nursery, and yes, pretty cool that your daughter designed your great-granddaughter’s room! Love you!!