9 nursery colour schemes that will stand the test of time

“I’m worried my little one will grow out of their nursery too quickly. Can you recommend any colour combinations that will work for babies even as they get a bit older?”

Kids grow up fast. One minute you’re painting their nursery in baby blue, the next they’re a crayon-wielding toddler with decorating ideas all of their own.

According to an AkzoNobel survey, over a third of parents admit to spending too much on decorating their little ones’ room, so it makes good financial sense to come up with a scheme that lasts.

These nine classic colour combinations will allow your nursery scheme to grow and adapt as your baby does.

Totally teal

Teal is a cheerful choice for a baby bedroom, and really comes into its own when you combine it with warm accent colours – yellow, orange and pink work particularly well.

Its versatility means you can switch up your accessories to create a whole new look without having to re-paint the entire room.

Which paints?

M13-N9.10.70 / 90GG 57/146
M12-N8.20.60 / 90GG 38/242

Grey and yellow

This is the ultimate gender-neutral colour combination and works just as well in a baby’s bedroom as a toddler’s.

Go for pale hues for a soft, inviting look, or ramp up the intensity for an edgier feel that will appeal to older siblings.

Which paints?

Y4-ON.00.58 / 00NN 37/000
G5-F7.31.80 / 45YY 71/426

Red and blue

This classic pairing looks great as part of a vintage-themed scheme, complete with red and blue bunting.

Cool blue walls will balance out hot red accents in the woodwork, furniture and accessories. Go for a chalky blue that will blend easily with other colours as you little one gets a bit older.

Which paints?

O5-T2.32.55 / 33BB 32/308
C6-B5.38.49 / 99RR 27/498

Cosy neutrals

A well-judged neutral scheme never goes out of style. The key is to make it feel as snug as possible for your baby by layering up different textures, from woolly cushions and fluffy rugs to unpainted wooden furniture.

For an extra-cosy feel, paint one or more of the walls in a deep, warm shade of taupe.

Which paints?

S13-D6.05.55 / 60YR 33/047
T14-E4.05.76 / 00YY 65/060

Pops of pastel

Pastels don’t have to be sugary. Splashes of pastel blue, green, yellow and pink can look refreshingly modern and, depending on the quantities you use, work just as well in a baby boy’s room as in a baby girl’s.

Try painting drawers, cupboard doors and woodwork in a variety of pastel shades and set them off against bright, white walls.

Which paints?

C3-C3.07.80 / 24YR 72/146
O15-S1.05.81 / 90BG 72/063

Blue and white

Here’s a serene colour pairing that’s hard to get wrong. It evokes an airy, nautical feel, but works just as well in a city apartment as in a seaside cottage.

Deep blue and white looks striking but is easier to get bored of over time, so choose a soothing, pale blue that’s also feminine enough for a little girl’s room.

Which paints?

O14-S6.11.73 / 10BB 57/115
Y1-ON.00.87 / 50RB 83/005

Black and white

Monochrome may not be an obvious choice for a children’s room but it can look surprisingly playful. Sticking to black and white leaves you free to experiment with as many patterns as you like, from polka-dots to zebra stripes.

For an extra fun touch, why not paint a wall or wardrobe doors with blackboard paint? Later on, when your little one starts to develop favourite colours, you can easily add a few bright accents into the mix.

Which paints?

Y7-ON.00.18 / 00NN 07/000
Y1-ON.00.87 / 50RB 83/005

Green on green

Green is the dream colour for a versatile baby bedroom. It’s soothing enough to give a good night’s sleep but energising enough to aid concentration – perfect for when you little one starts learning to talk.

Layer up different shades of green in your walls, woodwork and accessories, using the most vibrant shades as accents will to prevent the scheme from becoming over-stimulating.

Which paints?

L6-K9.60.43 / 90GY 21/472
K6-J0.41.71 / 10GY 52/541

Rainbow bright

A multi-coloured scheme is a failsafe way to make sure your baby, and later toddler, never gets bored of their bedroom.

The beauty of embracing an array of colours is that the décor can effortlessly evolve over time, allowing you to add to or take away from the scheme as your little one grows older and their tastes change.

Which paints?

C5-B6.28.59 / 10YR 34/359
N6-R8.50.50 / 70-BG 24/380
J7-H2.44.74 / 90YY 55/560

Top tip

Use a durable, wipe-clean paint to withstand the scuffs and scribbles that inevitably occur in a children’s room.