5 steps to a Western-themed baby nursery

“We like the idea of creating a Western-themed nursery but we’re not sure where to start or how to choose a colour scheme. Help!”

Traditional nurseries are lovely, but if you’d like to try something a little different then consider choosing a unique theme for your baby’s room.

We’ve gone for a Wild West theme here to show you what to do, but you can just as easily choose your own idea and apply the same basic principals.

So what are you waiting for? Giddy up and follow these five simple steps to a fun themed nursery scheme that’s perfect for little your cowboy or cowgirl:

1. Choose a colour scheme

Whatever theme you go for it’s important to assess the overall colour scheme, and decide which colours you’ll need to buy to achieve the look you’re after.

When it comes to evoking the dry, rugged landscape of the Wild West, look to warm reds and orange accent hues that will work against a sandy coloured background.

You might want to paint the top half of the walls in a lighter shade – such as sky blue or sunset yellow – and go for an earthy terracotta hue on the bottom half. Paint the lighter colour first, so if there are any drips they’ll be easier to cover up when you paint the lower half of the room.

If you’re not sure how to choose a colour, try experimenting with different shades using the Dulux Visualizer app.

Which paints?

20YY 54/342
30YR 26/330
50BG 55/241
20YY 43/200

2. Create a focal point

Once you’ve painted the background, it’s time to paint a focal point using a wall mural, stencil or decal depicting your chosen theme. For the Wild West, think towering cacti, wild horses, feathers and bow and arrows, but be as imaginative as you feel. Search online for stencils, or get your creative juices flowing and design you own.

3. Evoke a rustic feel with timber tones

For an authentic Wild West-style look, keep furniture looking natural with a simple wood stain.

Alternatively, for a more colourful feel pick out some colours from the wall mural and paint chair legs and cupboard doors in the same shade to unify to look.

Which paints?

20YY 43/200
20YY 22/129
10YY 08/093

4. Accessorise

Your baby will be spending a lot of her time tucked-up in their cot, so give some thought to the bedding and soft furnishings you select.

A Blanket in colourful a gingham or Aztec print will set the scene for a Wild West theme, and if you’re feeling crafty, why not make your own and create matching themed cushion covers and simple curtains?

5. A few finishing touches

If you have enough space, a few extra flourishes are all you’ll need to put the wow factor into your themed nursery space. A small tepee is a great addition and will give your little one something to focus on when they’re playing on the floor.

Complete the look with a faux cowhide rug for an authentic feel and layer an easy chair with soft pillows and throws in shades that match the walls.

Top tip

Make your mural or stencil stand out against the background by using glossy paint. It will create an amazing contrast, even if you haven’t used bright colours which may over-stimulate your baby.