What you can do:

• Talk with your toddler and explain what you are about to do.  You can tell them that together you will make it look “prettier” or “nicer”.  Use whatever adjective that suits you.

• Give them a choice as to what design they would want.  If you already have a particular design or color scheme in mind, show it to them and ask them what they think.  If they have a favorite character and want to include it in the “design scheme”.  Let them – it’s their room after all.  If their choice wallpaper or mural is too much for you, compromise and say you can let them have the design on their curtains or bedding.

• Let them have a say with what color to paint their walls.  Let them choose the wallpaper, curtains, carpet etc.  At this age they can still be steered towards something practical.

Decorating within a budget

If you have a small budget allocated to your toddler’s room make-over, don’t fret.  There are ways to go about this without having to spend a fortune.  Here’s how:

1. Although paint can be expensive, there are always deals available.  Research online and google paint brands/DIY Stores and go to their respective websites.  If sales are not on yet, big supermarkets that sell paints also do great discounts.  Be patient when scouring the net.  Finding a great deal will be worth all that hard work.
2. Wallpapers can also be expensive, but again do your research online and try to find the best deal.  If your choice is still expensive – or if your toddler insists on having a wallpaper of their favorite character – do a feature wall by only putting it on one wall.  This will save you money and it won’t overwhelm the room too much (character wallpapers sometimes can do).
3. Only change your carpet or flooring if absolutely necessary.  However, like paint and wallpaper, deals are always there just waiting to be found.  Buying a small area rug will also give your child’s room a new make-over without having to change the entire floor.
4. Never buy anything that you can make, especially if you can make it with your toddler.  Wall art is always better when it’s home-made anyway.  Just be creative with the kind of frames you use or how you arrange them on the wall.

Yes, decorating with your toddler may prove to be a headache especially once they turn whiny and clingy.  But the pros outweigh the cons, especially if it means that the whole experience will encourage your child’s creativity.  Perhaps the most important plus of all is the time you will spend with them, strengthening your bond.

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But in spite of the tree being the number one request of clients, I love when artists get creative with their designs.

This first design was done by Octopus Tree Design and I love, love, love the color scheme.  Who would ever think to paint the walls a deep olive green in a baby nursery?  But boy does that tree stand out with the brown and different shades of pink in the leaves.  Great use of color!

These next 2 mural designs I found on the Nursery Ideas and Inspiration Blog.

Love the silhouette look on this first one.  Such a simple concept but has a great impact.  And love the pop of color with the orange bird house added to the branch.  Gives a great 3-D effect.

This one is more realistic and detailed.  Great job with the bark.  Goes nicely with the monochromatic colors in the furniture.

If you are looking for brighter colors, then how about this tree mural from www.roomzaar.com.  The tree stretches across 2 walls and incorporates bright red, green, and blue leaves with cute little owls and birds.  The white picket fence is a nice touch as well.  Love how they tied in the bright colors into the furniture and crib bedding as well.

My favorite tree mural design is the flowering tree.  These delicate blossoms bring so much life into this little girl’s nursery. Check out the shading in the branches.  This one was done by artist Kris Garard who is featured on Find a Muralist.

I hope that these photos can give you some inspiration.  As a mural painter, I often search on Google for ideas and implement things into my own designs.  You can definitely do the same.

And if you are not quite sure about what mural to go with, how about starting with picking out the crib for the room?  Here are some fabulous baby cribs for you to check out:

Because I have not been doing much painting myself lately, I always love to see the work of other nursery mural artists.  Debbie emailed me the pictures of one of her recent nursery mural projects and I absolutely loved it so I knew I had to share it with you all.

This design is called the “Vintage Circus”.

‘Mom to be’ wanted a soft, vintage, ‘circus themed’ mural for her new baby boy - but also wanted a nursery that would work for her next baby (boy or girl).  Using the design from her custom bedding as inspiration, Debbie transformed the wall to look as if the curtains on ‘the tent’ were pulled back and you are inside the circus tent looking at all the fun festivities going on outside.  Behind the Trompe Loeil curtains - you can see fun animals (playing musical instruments), a carousel and much more!

I love how Debbie used soft subtle colors and simple cute characters that bring lots of cheer.  The overall design almost has a “Beatrix Potter” type feel, don’t ya think?

I would love to hear your feedback on this design.  What do you think?

I love this mural from www.muralsbymorgan.com The dogs pop against the soft colored background.

This dog themed mural is fun and playful.  Curious dogs are hiding behind the tall grass.  It almost seems like you can reach out and touch them.

www.figmentorpigment.com

How about incorporating puppies into your baby nursery wall mural?  So cute!  Found this one on www.yvonnescustommurals.com Love it.

Even if you don’t want a full blown mural a small patch of flowers and a cute little dog makes a great addition to a dog themed nursery.

There are tons of adorable stuffed puppies, dog themed crib accessories, and much more.  So if you are indeed a dog lover – definitely consider a dog themed mural for your new baby’s nursery.

And be sure to check out these great puppy themed baby nursery items below!

But she is far from a novice mural painter.  Check out some of her nursery mural painting work!

We asked Debbie what was her absolute favorite nursery mural that she has painted so far and she said, “I always say that my favorite nursery mural is my last one because I love them all and can never pick a favorite. But, one that stands out is the ‘Nursery Rhyme Themed Mural’ that I did recently. Humpty Dumpty sits on the castle wall, three cute blind mice (with sunglasses) run into a hole, Jack & Jill go up a hill, etc.. The castle is set in an enchanted forest with a rainbow.”

I have to agree with her!  Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous?

Debbie also says: “I am a grandmother to 6 – with 4 of them being under the age of 4 so, needless to say, I love babies! I paint all types of murals but, by far, nurseries are my favorite. It’s such a happy time in the new ‘parents to be’ life and so much fun to see how happy they are when I am done!”

So true Debbie!

So, if you are in the Chicago area and need a custom mural painted in your baby’s nursery, please contact Debbie directly through her website at www.ceronedesigns.com – you will not be disappointed!

But Curious George is not the only cute and lovable monkey.  There are so many more cute monkey ideas that you can bring into the baby nursery.

I found this one on www.joelenbakes.blogspot.com.  It seems the author used this picture as their inspiration for planning their baby nursery.  I am not sure where they found it, but it is adorable!  Not sure if it is hand painted or wall decals, but it is cute either way.

Hand painted borders give a creative touch and are simple, but how about going all out and painting a tree with a monkey hanging from the branches?  I found these adorable ideas:

www.evitawolf.com

www.flickr.com

This one is a sticker wall decal.  You can purchase it here: www.wallstickeroutlet.com

www.decorpad.com

wwwsweetartscreations.webs.com

Monkey themed baby nursery murals are another adorable theme option for both baby girls and boys.  My favorite is definitely the monkeys hanging from the trees.  A perfect addition to any nursery decor.  Decals are great, but being a mural painter myself, I definitely suggest doing something hand painted.  And yes, you can do it!  You have come to the right place to find ideas and inspiration!

Artwray.com

This next one makes it look like it’s the child’s sports equipment. I love that the basketball is just about ready to drop into the hoop.

Art from Betsy

But if you are partial to a particular sport then run with it.  Here’s a Mets baseball theme mural, but you can customize a mural like this to pretty much any one of your favorite teams.

Grace Your Space

Here is a mural that focuses on basketball.  Love how all the players are in motion!

Ultimate Sports Rooms

And how about  this baby nursery painted by www.artisticalternatives.com.  They have painted the team jerseys as if they were literally hanging from hooks on the wall.  So creative!

Whatever you choose for your sports theme nursery mural there is a wide variety of bedding and other nursery accessories to go with it.  Another great thing about going with a sports themed mural is that it can grow with your child.  It may even last up into the teen years without any embarrassment (unlike the Elmo and Barney who you would have to paint over by the time they turn 4.

What’s your favorite sport?  Would you consider doing a sports themed mural in your child’s nursery?

And be sure to check out these sports themed baby nursery decor!  Love all the great bedding options!

This is always a favorite – Dr. Seuss!  I actually wrote a post a while back with lots of great pictures of Dr. Seuss murals, so be sure to check them out here.

Custom Murals by Kim

Care Bear Nursery Mural Theme

CF & Jay’s

Here’s a Mickey Mouse scene that is an exception to the bright colors. What do you think of the black and white?

Daddy Types

Charlie Brown and Lucy of the famous Peanuts cartoon has been around for many years and will be around for many more to come.  This would be a great choice for a boy or girl.

www.ceronedesigns.com

What child doesn’t love Curious George?  He is such a fun monkey!

Mural for Kids

Another fun cartoon mural idea is SESAME STREET!  I have 4 small children myself and they ALL love the fun and lovable characters from Sesame Street.

www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com

If you don’t have a specific cartoon character that you want to use on your baby nursery walls but still want the cartoon FEEL, you can always create a custom design.  And if you are not quite a “painter”, then how about hiring a nursery mural painter to help?  Check out out Nursery Muralist Directory to see if we have a mural painter listed in your local area!

Frederator Blogs

The following pictures are of the Toddler Room.  Ellen did this room in a beach mural theme.

How cute are these painted towels hanging to dry!

This next room is the Infant Room and definitely my favorite.  Ellen really brought the outdoors in and in spite of the room having no “real” windows, you would never know it.  The whimsical painted windows are the perfect touch.  I also love the barn doorway looking out on the fields with the little white sheep.  So cute!  Great job Ellen!

When looking for inspiration for a baby nursery wall mural, just remember that the possibilities are ENDLESS.  And a muralist or mural artist can take your ideas and turn them into a fabulous mural design for your child’s nursery!  If you are looking for a nursery mural painter in your area, be sure to check out our Nursery Muralist Directory!

And to learn more about Ellen Leigh, be sure to check out her site at http://eleighinspiration.blogspot.com.