In this post, we’ll take a look at seventeen of the sweetest vintage inspired nursery ideas so you can get inspiration to create the perfect nostalgic nursery of your dreams.
Published: 8/8/24
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Something old and something new they say. The perfect theme for a nursery if you ask me!
If you’re reading this post, you’re probably getting close to bringing a new life into this world.
I remember the many hours I spent scrolling Pinterest looking for inspiration for my son’s nursery before he was born.
There aren’t a lot of things we get to control as pregnant moms, but one thing we can control is creating the perfect cozy oasis to welcome our baby into our home.
I’ve been seeing a rise in vintage inspired nurseries that resemble old Ralph Lauren magazines filled with stripes, ginghams, and preppy teddy bears.
These vintage nurseries have my heart and though my baby is hardly a baby anymore, I’ll be remodeling his room into this design style for his big boy room!
Before we get into this list of the best vintage inspired nursery ideas, let’s break down some of the key elements in a nursery to add some decor flare to.
Vintage Crib
The crib is going to be the focal point of your baby’s room, so we want to make sure it looks beautiful!
Investing in a high quality crib will pay for itself with how much use you’ll get from it.
Find a design you truly love, then add some personality to it with the crib bedding! Muslin crib sheets have always been my favorite.
Wall Decor and Wallpaper
The past couple years have yielded a huge rise in wallpapered nurseries! It’s easy to understand why.
Wallpaper adds a touch of whimsy and color to your child’s room while still looking elegant and adding that vintage flare.
If you find yourself not ready to commit to wallpaper, though, consider other ways you can dress up the walls of your little one’s room.
Changing Table
Every nursery needs a changing table and to be honest, I spent more time at our’s than I ever could have predicted.
Diaper changes are constant in those first few weeks and now that my son is a toddler, we still use his changing table every day to get him dressed.
I prefer the look of a matching changing table and crib, but not everyone agrees with me on this!
Dresser or Wardrobe
I know what you’re thinking. Baby clothes are so small, why would I possibly need more clothing storage than the closet?
Once you come home from your baby shower, you’ll understand.
Clothes are the most gifted items to new moms and received swaths of hand me down baby clothes from 0 months to 2 years!
Rocking Chair
Every mom knows, the rocking chair is crucial, if not the most crucial, part of your child’s nursery.
I’m so curious to know just how many hours I spent nursing and rocking and shushing my baby to sleep in that one chair.
You’ll be spending a lot of time in it, so pick something for yourself that you love to make some of the long nights a little easier.
17 Vintage Inspired Nursery Ideas
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1. Cozy Reading Nook
Credit: @inthedoghouse___
Give your baby a room they can grow into by setting up a cozy reading nook in an empty corner.
If you want to encourage a positive habit in your child’s life, it’s important to set up an environment that reflects that habit!
To raise a child that shares your love for books, this cozy reading nook filled with vintage children’s books will start them in the right direction.
2. Vintage Fringe Lamp
Credit: @meganleedejong
Curating the perfect vintage inspired nursery is all about finding those statement pieces that set the feeling of the space.
How gorgeous and perfect is this antique fringe lamp for a baby girl nursery?
Whether you get lucky and find a piece this stunning at your local antique store, or purchase a custom piece from Etsy, this will undeniably add a vintage touch.
3. Antique Toys
Credit: @kim.potter94
The quickest way to take any vintage charm away from your child’s nursery is to fill it with brand new plastic toys.
Buying vintage toys will not only look beautiful, but they tend to be built better and last longer!
I’m obsessed with the hanging airplane, adorable rocking horse, and vintage globe in this stunning nursery.
4. Old-Fashioned Wallpaper
Credit: @stefmturner
There’s a new nursery design trend on the block and I am all about it! Wallpaper has been the fastest growing trend for nurseries this year and you can see why.
Nurseries are the perfect place to add a little whimsy to your home decor because it’s encouraged to keep things playful.
That’s why wallpaper is the perfect choice for your nursery walls. If you love wallpaper but get nervous about bringing it into the main rooms of your home, now’s your time to experiment!
5. Layered Plaids
Credit: @jacks_farmhouse
Plaid patterns have an undeniable vintage charm that will add the perfect touch to your vintage inspired nursery.
Don’t be afraid to layer different types of plaids like the stunning wallpaper and rug combo in the room pictured above.
My personal favorite plaids for a cozy nursery are gingham and tartan check patterns.
6. Wooden Spindle Crib
Credit: @alletrejo
Nurseries can be a tricky room to decorate because of all the pieces you need to fit in a generally smaller room.
From changing tables to rocking chairs, dressers, and toys, there’s a lot going on.
No matter what you choose to adorn your baby’s nursery with, though, the focal point of the room is going to be the crib. Invest in a truly beautiful piece that you love because it will be used every single day and night for the next few years!
7. Wicker Accents
Credit: @carlanatalia__
One of the most underrated but best ways to elevate your nursery decor is with the type of storage you choose.
And trust me, there’s a lot to store in a nursery! Diapers, books, and baby socks are cute, but can quickly overcrowd a room.
Keep things organized but beautiful with assorted wicker baskets of all shapes, sizes, and weaves.
8. Classic Rocker
Credit: @katherinelouisedegroot
My favorite vintage inspired nursery accessory has to be a classic old-fashioned wooden rocking chair.
They’re so charming, comfortable as ever, and the perfect place to curl up with your baby at the end of the day.
To dress it up, add a unique throw pillow or a cozy baby blanket to make this chair your new favorite detail.
9. Tenant Banners
Credit: @nestinginthecountryside
Oftentimes the area of bedroom decor that stumps me the most is figuring out what to do with the walls.
For your baby’s nursery, the perfect way to fill a blank wall is with a precious tenant banner.
Whether it’s a long string banner like this pretty pink one in the photo above or a customized tenant with your baby’s initials, these are sure to stun.
10. Retro Sports Gear
Credit: @godsavethescene
For the sports moms and dads who can’t wait to throw the old pigskin around with their little one, this is the perfect direction to go with your nursery.
Finding vintage sports accessories is fairly easy if you comb through your local thrift and antique stores.
Look for old children’s basketball hoops, badminton rackets, or team logo plaques to bring that preppy ivy league Ralph Lauren vibe to the room.
11. Floating Book Shelves
Credit: @roxanall_
Once you start buying baby books, you’ll see that the cover artwork can be absolutely beautiful and worthy of being displayed.
Use your child’s books like artwork with these charming floating book shelves.
The little wooden spindle details are small but make a mighty difference in creating that vintage feel you’re going for.
12. Bold Stripes
Credit: @roxanall_
If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m a huge fan of using bold patterns in nursery decor.
It can be hard to commit to patterns in other parts of the house, but embrace the freedom that comes with designing a child’s room by having a little fun.
Classic stripes feel so vintage to me. Whether you incorporate them through wallpaper, a striped rug, or even crib bedding, it’s the perfect pattern to incorporate.
13. Wainscot Wall Moulding
Credit: @at_home_in_the_hayward
The perfect way to incorporate multiple ideas on this list is with this wainscot wallpaper killer combo!
I’ve been seeing this wall treatment rising in popularity especially for nurseries as of late and I can’t get enough.
You can really play with the color and pattern combo to create a unique look for your precious baby that they can grow into and love later in life as well.
14. Silhouette Portraits
Credit: @raisingrodmans
I recently visited a friend’s home and she had this stunning silhouette portraits done of all her children.
The best kind of home decor is the kind that is personal to you. That’s what makes these portraits so special.
Not only are they beautiful and full of vintage charm, but it’s a precious heirloom that you can keep for years to come.
15. Photo Gallery Wall
Credit: @lori.dail
In my opinion, gallery walls will never go out of style. Especially when the photos are personal to you!
Fill the frames on your baby’s walls with beautiful images of your home, your family, and anything else you want them to grow up around.
The best gallery walls are the ones made up of assorted frames of all shapes, colors, and designs.
16. Vintage Armoire Wardrobe
Credit: @alletrejo
Umm how absolutely beautiful and charming is this towering wooden armoire filled with the sweetest baby clothes?
If your nursery is lacking in closet or storage space, or honestly even if you have the space, having a wooden wardrobe is a must.
It feels very Chronicles of Narnia meets Winnie the Pooh which if you ask me, is the best combo for a baby nursery.
17. Stuffed Bunnies and Bears
Credit: @pineylanefarm
When the ideas run out and you end up with empty shelves that need something cute and sweet, you can’t go wrong with a stuffie.
Teddy bears and stuffed rabbits are so classic and cuddly making them the perfect final touch to your vintage inspired nursery.
Just be sure to find ones that have a more vintage feel to them to stay on theme!
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