
There’s nothing wrong with painting a nursery blue or pink, but if you’re looking for something a little different—or don’t know baby’s sex yet—it can be hard to know where to start. After all, there’s no shortage of adorable nursery inspo out there. To help you narrow it down without falling down a Pinterest rabbit hole, we pulled together our favorite unexpected palettes. From soft and soothing neutrals to bold shots of intense color, these paint combos (all from Sherwin-Williams®) work surprisingly well together in a nursery. Need help imagining how it all might come together in your own home? Upload a photo to Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap® Visualizer: a cool app that lets you virtually paint the room.
Palette #1: Mint, Gray & Orange
Cool tones meet their match when a dash of fiery orange comes out to play. If your nursery is on the smaller side, stick to the light gray or mint green for the walls, and add pops of orange as accents and accessories. (Since it’s such an energetic, stimulating color, this is one scenario where the less-is-more approach definitely applies.)
Shop the look: Lucy Darling Twinkle Twinkle Boy print, LucyDarling.com; Land of Nod Good Read book caddy, LandOfNod.com; Rosenberry Rooms swirled gourd table lamp, RosenberryRooms.com; Carousel Designs buffalo check crib blanket, BabyBedding.com
Paints: Sherwin-Williams Harmony interior acrylic latex paint in Mint Condition SW 6743, Knockout Orange SW 6885 and Rock Candy SW 6231, Sherwin-Williams.com
Palette #2: Forest, Blush & Sand
This eye-catching grouping feels both soothing and hip, thanks to the sophisticated shades of green, blush and beige. To make a stronger statement, cloak the walls in a restful deep, dark green, and use the lighter tones for furniture and other décor. For a softer scene, do the reverse.
Shop the look: Pitter Patter Print baby footprint art, Etsy.com; Babyletto Scoot 3-in-1 convertible crib, Target.com; All Modern Bungalow rug, AllModern.com; Land of Nod Everly rocking chair, LandOfNod.com
Paints: Sherwin-Williams Harmony interior acrylic paint in Roycroft Bottle Green SW 2847, Shoji White SW 7042 and Blushing SW 6617, Sherwin-Williams.com
Palette #3: Slate Blue, Sage & Gold
Cool colors are calming, relaxing and gender-neutral to boot. Either slate or sage—or both, for that matter—would make a great choice for the walls; blue in particular is known for its serene vibes. Counter those low-key colors with luxe gold accents throughout (think dresser hardware, lamp bases and the crib frame), and the whole room will positively shine.
Shop the look: Urban Rustic Nomad Sleepy Eyes print, Etsy.com; Little Seeds Monarch Hill Ivy standard crib, Wayfair.com; Pottery Barn Kids Shay rug, PotteryBarnKids.com; Sweet Jojo Designs Woodland Toile pillows, Wayfair.com
Paints: Sherwin-Williams Harmony interior acrylic latex paint in Nurture Green SW 6451, Revel Blue SW 6530 and Humble Gold SW 6380, Sherwin-Williams.com
Palette #4: Black, White & Lemon
If you’re envisioning a modern, playful space, think graphic black and white with a bright primary color accent—in this case, yellow. The palette lends itself to plenty of baby-approved themes, from gangly giraffes to buzzy little bees. It’s also an easy palette to apply to almost anything—you can paint your changing table lemon yellow, for example, or add black trim to elevate a basic chest of drawers.
Shop the look: Sauder tower bookcase, Hayneedle.com; Olio cuddle blanket, OlioStudio.com; Wee Gallery two-sided giraffe pillow, WeeGallery.com; CB2 Xbase pouf, CB2.com
Paints: Sherwin-Williams Harmony interior acrylic paint in Lemon Twist SW 6909, Black Magic SW 699 and Ibis White SW 7000, Sherwin-Williams.com
Palette #5: Navy, Burgundy & Mustard
A rich, regal palette is the right fit for anyone who’d like baby’s room to be a little less...babyish. The deep tones should be your dominant color here—either navy or maroon on the walls will create instant sophistication. Lighten up the dark shades, figuratively and literally, with quirky pillows, stuffed animals and wall art in a mellow hue, like a mustardy yellow.
Shop the look: Viv + Rae Jaden changing table, Wayfair.com; I Love Living rocking chair, Overstock.com; Surya Rajhari medallion rug, Hayneedle.com; Therese Marie Designs elephant pillow cover, Etsy.com
Paints: Sherwin-Williams Harmony interior acrylic latex paint in Sundried Tomato SW 7585, Anchors Aweigh SW 9179 and Overjoy SW 6689, Sherwin-Williams.com
The Bump and Sherwin-Williams present Paint by Nursery, a sponsored series featuring inspiration and DIY ideas to help you create a colorful space for baby. Visit the Sherwin-Williams Project Center to browse more project ideas and over 1500 paint colors.