Nursery Ideas Using Browns, Oranges & Blues

Go Pale

• Brown, orange and blue are an attractive color combination, but the palette may seem a bit harsh for a nursery if you don’t use the right shades. Instead of using a rich chocolate brown, vivid orange and cobalt blue for your baby’s room, opt for lighter shades from the same color family. Tan, peach and baby blue create a soft look for a nursery that will grow with your child. If you like richer shades of brown, orange and blue as well, use them for smaller items in the room, such as furniture, picture frames and other accessories, instead of for large items like the walls, carpeting, bedding and window treatments.

Choose a Main Color

• While brown, orange and blue all work together, your baby’s nursery may look too busy if you incorporate all three shades in equal amounts. Instead, select one of the shades to be the main color. Use it for the walls and as the background for the room’s main features, such as bedding, carpeting and window treatments. A brown or blue shade works well for a boy’s room, while a soft peach is ideal for a little girl. Use the other two colors as strong accents throughout the room, but include some white or cream elements to provide a balanced look. The molding, trim and ceiling are ideal spots for a neutral shade.

Incorporate Pattern

• An ideal way to tie a room with a diverse color palette together is to find patterns that incorporate all three shades. Look for bedding, window treatments and throw rugs for your nursery that feature shades of brown, orange and blue together. Polka dot patterns work well for a baby’s room, but stripes add a fun element as well. Cute animal prints are ideal because you can coordinate with stuffed toys that match the pattern.

Create an Accent Wall

• A nursery is an ideal room to try out a whimsical look, and you can add fun and flair to the space by using your three colors to create an accent wall. The wall where you plan to place the crib is an ideal spot to create a focal point for the room. Paint stripes on the wall using painter’s tape to mark off the areas. Alternate all three colors, or chose two and use the third shade to paint the top and bottom molding. Polka dots are easy to paint as well if you use a circular object in your home, such as a soup can or dining plate, to trace circles on the wall. A brown shade makes a good background color, while blue and orange dots provide a bright pop of color against the darker shade. Another option is to use stencils in fun shapes like teddy bears, fish, stars or hearts, and use blue and orange paint to fill them in on a brown wall.