We’ve never been more excited for this post—like ever! Typically, we linger and reminisce about the previous year before we look ahead. Well, sorry 2020—not gonna miss you, #buhbye. We’re looking forward to starting fresh and sharing our top 14 children’s design and nursery trends to watch this year. They are really fun, span a variety of styles and offer something for everyone. And, if you really must take a look back, you can see our 2020 design trends post here. Okay, 2021, don’t let us down!
Abstract Everything
Whether it’s circles, arches or off-kilter lines, we are loving the sophisticated appearance of all these oddly cool shapes in nurseries, kids rooms and playrooms.
Canyon Colors Decals in Nursery by @_amandajoachim
Nursery by Chelsea H.
Nursery by @oliversimondesign
Wood Accent Walls
Our dark with dimension trend from last year’s nursery trends is still going strong, but we are also seeing another new use of wood accent walls with these multi-colored plank walls. We’ve seen everything from ombre to full on rainbow, and we’re a fan of this cheery new trend on the scene. Whether you go dark and moody or bright and airy, we love the creative use of wood paneling, board and batten and shiplap to achieve this effect.
Nursery by @home.and.ro
Nursery by @bayliss.storybook
Nursery by @modchicinteriors
Girls Room by @knoxandnavy
Nursery by DMBOYKIN
Woven Accents
Woven changing baskets came on the scene hard in 2020 and don’t seem to be slowing down. This year we will see the addition of more woven elements in the nursery like caning, wicker and rattan furnishings and accessories.
Nursery by @naomijjager
Nursery by Loved.by.Bonnie
Bohemian Palm Decals in Girls Room by @oursmalltownsquad
Playroom Meets Classroom
Adapting to school at home was definitely game on in 2020. The ignitor may have been circumstantial, but we believe the playroom doubled as learning center is here to stay. Well-organized playrooms with super functional layouts, which often need to accommodate children of different ages and stages, will continue to be a trend into this next year, and we are totally here for it!
ABC Decals in Playroom by @queenofthebeehive
Playroom by Ginny
Playroom by @sarah_lit
Rust as a Neutral
While this nursery trend is not everyone’s cup of tea, we have to recognize the return to those reddish/brown tones, which we haven’t seen in years. From layette and swaddles to nursing pillows and even up on the nursery walls, rust is having a major moment.
Rust Organic Bamboo Crib Sheet
Nursery by @celeste.kjeldsen
Nursery by @colleen.cabrey
Earth Mama
Natural and neutral is such a natural fit for the nursery; it’s no wonder an earthy vibe will trend strong in 2021. Creamy white, soft blushes and muted earthy colors will be the popular palette of choice for parents of both baby girls and boys. So, if you see a pampas grass bouquet at Trader Joe’s, grab it while you can!
Nursery by Sana Ejaz
Nursery by @yarip77
Toco Glider in Nursery by @stay_magical22
Rainbow Reinvented
We love when we see a new twist on a previous trend. We called out the Muted Rainbow trend in early 2020, but this year’s rainbow will be reinvented in new ways. Super oversized murals (even hand painted like below!), teeny tiny or mixed in with pattern, let’s face it, rainbows are happy, and happy never goes out of style.
Nursery by Kate Lemmon
Picture by @mstetsondesign
Girls Room by @jessiegirlhome
Decals on Repeat
Wallpaper, you’ve got some competition. Wall decals have always been popular in our nursery trends, but this year they are gaining speed as total wall transformers. Installed close together to form a pattern that has the look of professionally installed wallpaper with the ease of decals is a design trick we are all in for!
Malea Decals in Nursery by @loverlygrey
Nursery by @hhunkele8
Sago Palms Decals in Nursery by @jessmmclaren
Nursery by @jaytayleite
Enchanted Fairytale
Think more along the lines of Hansel & Gretel (minus the dark and scary bit) than movie princesses. Make haste and move into a dreamy castle or a fairy forest for make believe fun.
Ella Wallpaper
Little Fairy Decal Set
Nursery by @remingtonavenue
Celestial
Calling all stargazers, this is one of our nursery trends that you’re going to want to watch. Deep inky blues and blacks paired with metallics will have you seeing stars.
Noah Wallpaper in Nursery by @jbarrera404
Personalized Constellation Wall Decal + Zodiac Constellation Decals
Goodnight Moon Wallpaper
Dots for Daysssss
There’s something about a simple circle that’s absolutely perfect. Perfectly round, washed out or with uneven edges, we’ll be seeing dots done right all year long.
Watercolor Polka Dot Decals in Shared Girls Room by @klarkin1501
Nursery by @loverlygrey
Watercolor Polka Dot Decals in Nursery by @rappaporthomesllc
Glow Up, Bathroom Edition
2021 is going to be all about kids bathrooms. Fun shower curtains, bold and graphic wall decals and even wallpaper are jazzing up these functional spaces.
Pink Watercolor Flower Decals in Kids Bathroom by @styledbyneet
Bathroom by @stephaniehoeyinteriors
Cheetah Jungle Shower Curtain
Explore More
The pandemic era has us all on pause sadly, but it doesn’t mean we can’t bring the great outdoors into the our kids rooms. Bring the adventure to them with national park or cityscape accents. Make them a deal that you’ll take them IRL, real soon, and stick to that promise.
Medina Wallpaper in Nursery by @maisonellieinteriors
Shared Boys Room by Meagan Bailey Design
Nursery by Amanda Link
Sophisticated Safari
Yes, we agree, safari-themed nurseries have been a thing since well, the beginning of the nursery design era. Today’s version is more modern and sophisticated than cutesy and juvenile. Neutral tones or even black and white are the safari nurseries we’ll see this coming year. They will definitely have you dreaming of the Serengeti.
Safari Animal Wallpaper in Nursery by @boneill_athome
Nursery by @covingtoncomforts
Nursery by Allison Guzman
Got a trend you think will play out in 2021? Tell us by commenting below. Don’t forget, we LOVE seeing all your beautiful nurseries, playrooms, big kids rooms and more. Upload to our Project Gallery, and we might feature your space!
See past years’ nursery trends: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.
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