9 Playful Lighting Ideas for Nurseries
Set the scene in your baby's room with ambient lighting in fun and funky designs
Lighting can play a huge role in creating atmosphere in a baby’s room – if it can be playful by day but calm and soothing at night, so much the better. When it’s light and bright out and time for play, lighting can bring a fun and spirited element to a nursery; then when it’s soft and restful with the curtains drawn, the right lighting can help lull a little one off to sleep and make middle-of-the-night nappy changes and feeds less disruptive. These inspiring ideas will help you find the perfect way to set just the mood you want, when you want.
A softly glowing light provides just enough illumination for a parent to tend to an awake baby overnight, without signalling that it’s playtime.
2. Fairground fantasy
Capture all the fun of the fair with large-scale letter lighting. Team these on-trend carnival lights with a smart and sophisticated scheme using greys and pale timber, and you’ll have a versatile nursery that will be easy to adapt as they grow older. Just be sure to choose low-wattage bulbs while your baby’s little.
Capture all the fun of the fair with large-scale letter lighting. Team these on-trend carnival lights with a smart and sophisticated scheme using greys and pale timber, and you’ll have a versatile nursery that will be easy to adapt as they grow older. Just be sure to choose low-wattage bulbs while your baby’s little.
A single-letter light will make just as much of an impact, particularly when displayed against a bold wallpaper or paint colour. For a harmonious look, carry the colour of the light to other areas of the room through accessories to heighten the effect.
3. Industrial calm
A babyish room will only be relevant for a couple of years, so starting off with a mature scheme from the outset might not be a bad move. Industrial style has a relaxed, pared-down feel that’s a good choice for a restful room and can be easily tailored to suit any age. Opt for vintage-style lighting like this quad cage light, and you won’t need to exchange it for a more grown-up design in the near future.
A babyish room will only be relevant for a couple of years, so starting off with a mature scheme from the outset might not be a bad move. Industrial style has a relaxed, pared-down feel that’s a good choice for a restful room and can be easily tailored to suit any age. Opt for vintage-style lighting like this quad cage light, and you won’t need to exchange it for a more grown-up design in the near future.
4. Scandi chic
If an industrial-style nursery is a bit too edgy for your liking, the soft tones of Scandinavian-style decorating could be the way to go. The beauty of this lantern-style lamp, aside from its good looks, is its portability – simply move it wherever you need it during the night. Just keep in mind that it does still have to be plugged in.
Cesta Lamp: AJAR
If an industrial-style nursery is a bit too edgy for your liking, the soft tones of Scandinavian-style decorating could be the way to go. The beauty of this lantern-style lamp, aside from its good looks, is its portability – simply move it wherever you need it during the night. Just keep in mind that it does still have to be plugged in.
Cesta Lamp: AJAR
5. The natural touch
If you want to go all-out girlie and feminine – and why not, right? – then stick to a gentle palette of sugary pastels dotted with natural touches to create a serene, tranquil retreat. Rattan pendants are ideal for this sweet look as they diffuse the light and emit a soothing glow. Try grouping one or two pendants at different heights to keep it feeling fresh and modern.
Leran pendant light: Ikea
Sweet and stylish and girls’ nurseries
If you want to go all-out girlie and feminine – and why not, right? – then stick to a gentle palette of sugary pastels dotted with natural touches to create a serene, tranquil retreat. Rattan pendants are ideal for this sweet look as they diffuse the light and emit a soothing glow. Try grouping one or two pendants at different heights to keep it feeling fresh and modern.
Leran pendant light: Ikea
Sweet and stylish and girls’ nurseries
6. Global appeal
Softening the central light bulb with a textured globe shade will cast mesmerising shapes around the walls. Be sure to fit a frosted or vintage-style Edison bulb to further temper the brightness, and opt for a large-scale design to make a big statement if this is the only light in the room.
Softening the central light bulb with a textured globe shade will cast mesmerising shapes around the walls. Be sure to fit a frosted or vintage-style Edison bulb to further temper the brightness, and opt for a large-scale design to make a big statement if this is the only light in the room.
7. Animal instincts
If you’re not fussed about character-inspired wall motifs or nursery-themed designs and you want to stick to a sophisticated palette that will last, hunt out multi-purpose lighting that will help bridge the gap between grown-up style and a young-at-heart mood. Chic animal-themed lamps can be changed up in an instant thanks to the lampshade they are paired with. Opt for a neutral design if you want to keep the room ageless, while a primary-coloured shade will raise the playful tempo.
If you’re not fussed about character-inspired wall motifs or nursery-themed designs and you want to stick to a sophisticated palette that will last, hunt out multi-purpose lighting that will help bridge the gap between grown-up style and a young-at-heart mood. Chic animal-themed lamps can be changed up in an instant thanks to the lampshade they are paired with. Opt for a neutral design if you want to keep the room ageless, while a primary-coloured shade will raise the playful tempo.
An animal-themed nursery doesn’t have to mean childish colours and babyish motifs. Look out for sleek and chic zoo-inspired accessories that use a sophisticated palette to capture a design-led look full of personality and soul. This barely-there giraffe wall sconce will stand the test of time, and is sure to work with many styles for years to come.
Be inspired by more nursery themes
Be inspired by more nursery themes
Likewise, this dog lamp from Brownlow Interior Design. It can be seen as cute now, and artistic later.
Having a faithful soft toy nearby that keeps your little one company through the night can be a wise move, but what about a bunny that glows? This Miffy Lamp could well become one of your baby’s favourite things.
8. Old-world charm
If you’re partial to retro treasures and vintage finds, a kitsch light could be just the thing to conjure fairytales and mystical stories. A toadstool lamp is a cute addition to any old-school nursery.
Heico toadstool lamp: Treetop Toy Shop
If you’re partial to retro treasures and vintage finds, a kitsch light could be just the thing to conjure fairytales and mystical stories. A toadstool lamp is a cute addition to any old-school nursery.
Heico toadstool lamp: Treetop Toy Shop
9. So tweet
Battery-operated lights are a super-easy and low-cost way of adding a soft, subtle glow to your baby’s nursery. Dot a few cute animal shapes around the room, such as birds, rabbits or owls, so your little one can enjoy the interesting shapes and shadows. They are also ideal as a gentle nightlight beside the cot.
YOUR SAY
How did you light up your baby’s nursery? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more stories about kids’ spaces
Battery-operated lights are a super-easy and low-cost way of adding a soft, subtle glow to your baby’s nursery. Dot a few cute animal shapes around the room, such as birds, rabbits or owls, so your little one can enjoy the interesting shapes and shadows. They are also ideal as a gentle nightlight beside the cot.
YOUR SAY
How did you light up your baby’s nursery? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more stories about kids’ spaces
You can’t get much more fun and whimsical than these beautiful balloon lights that appear to hover in the air; they add a magical touch to any space. Simply switch the lights on with the pull-down cord and enjoy the soft, colourful glow. With a huge range of colours available, you can create all sorts of wonderful displays above your baby’s cot – just the thing to keep them entertained while you grab a quick shower.
Brokis Memory Balloon light: GoLights