Creating a modern animal themed nursery for our little boy, Theo, was a delightful journey, blending our love for safari adventures with vibrant, playful design elements.
Modern Animal Themed Nursery: Theo’s Safari-Inspired Room Transformation
When it comes to creating a space for your baby, few things are as fun and fulfilling as designing a nursery. You want one that reflects your family’s personality and passions. For us, that meant turning our love of animals and the memories of our last big adventure before starting a family—a safari in South Africa—into a modern, animal-themed nursery for our 15-month-old son, Theo.
This room has been a labor of love, and I’m so excited to share the journey with you! From moving our office to making space for Theo’s new room, and finally, watching him enjoy his new little world. This process has been incredibly rewarding. If you’re looking for inspiration for a safari-themed nursery or just want to see how you can incorporate animal themes into a baby’s room, you’re in the right place.
The Backstory: From Office to Baby’s Room
Let me take you back to the beginning. When we first moved into our home, I carved out a cozy little office in what is now Theo’s room. It was the perfect spot for writing, crafting, and all the creative work I love to do. However, as we planned to expand our family, we knew that space would eventually be needed for something even more important—our baby boy’s nursery.
Fast forward to this year, after we completed a beautiful new addition to our home. The old living room was transformed into a more spacious, office/craft room. This gave us the opportunity to relocate the office to that part of the house. This move freed up the old office. Suddenly, we had a room ready and waiting to become Theo’s special place.
Designing Theo’s Safari-Themed Nursery
When we started brainstorming ideas for Theo’s room, one thing was clear—we wanted it to be a reflection of our family’s love of animals. Also of our unforgettable safari experience in South Africa. But we also wanted the room to feel modern, vibrant, and playful. To be a space that Theo could grow into as he transitions from a baby to a toddler.
Choosing the Right Animal Themes
We decided on a safari nursery theme. It allowed us to incorporate a wide variety of animals and natural elements into the design. Themed nursery designs like this are a great way to create a cohesive look that’s both fun and educational for your little one. Plus, there’s something magical about surrounding your baby with images of wild animals, from tall giraffes to playful zebras.
We knew we wanted a lot of animals in the room, but we also wanted to avoid making it feel cluttered or overwhelming. To achieve this balance, we selected a few standout pieces. We added “Ellie” the 4 foot elephant and Theo loves to climb on her and snuggle. We also have a tall stuffed giraffe!
Creating the Perfect Walls in our Modern Animal Themed Nursery
The design for the walls was inspired by an amazing rug I found that instantly set the tone for the entire room. The rug features a bold mix of black, white, orange, green, blue, and even a touch of purple. Its vibrant colors were the perfect starting point for the room’s palette, and everything else just fell into place from there.
When I came across the wallpaper that we ultimately chose for Theo’s room, it was as if the stars aligned. The wallpaper features a delightful pattern of safari animals and lush greenery, and the colors were a perfect match with the rug. We decided to use the wallpaper on the upper half of the walls, creating a fun and dynamic backdrop that captures the essence of a safari.
For the lower half of the walls, we opted for a complementing orange paint that ties everything together. This orange shade brings warmth and vibrancy to the room, balancing the lively wallpaper above. The two-tone wall design not only adds visual interest but also helps to define the space. This makes it feel cozy and inviting for Theo. The color is Acapulco Sun by Behr lightened 25%.
The Furniture: Modern Meets Functional
When it came to furnishing the room, we wanted pieces that would not only fit the safari theme but also provide the functionality we needed as new parents. We started with the basics—a crib that can convert into a toddler bed, a changing table with lots of extra storage, and a cozy rocking chair for those late-night feedings and cuddle sessions.
Crib and Toddler Bed Combo
We chose a crib that can easily transition into a toddler bed as Theo grows. We actually used a mini crib first. He was in our bedroom for a year and the space was limited. He upgraded to a full size crib that was a generous hand me down! This was important to us because we wanted to invest in furniture that would last beyond the baby stage. The crib’s clean lines and neutral color fit perfectly with the modern nursery design. Also, it looks fantastic against the accent wall.
Changing Table with Extra Storage
The changing pad we got has been a lifesaver. We put it right on top of his dresser. Not only does it provide a comfortable space for changing diapers, but the dresser offers plenty of storage for all of Theo’s essentials—diapers, wipes, clothes, and more. We will free up a ton of space once he’s potty trained, too!
Cozy Rocking Chair
No nursery is complete without a cozy spot to sit and snuggle. We found a chair on Amazon and while there are a few things we’d change about it but it works well! The chair is upholstered in a soft, neutral fabric that complements the rest of the room’s vibrant tones. It’s the perfect place to read bedtime stories, rock Theo to sleep, or simply enjoy a quiet moment together.
Adding Personal Touches
While the safari theme and modern design elements were key components of Theo’s nursery, we also wanted to make sure the room felt personal and unique. After all, this is Theo’s special place. We wanted it to reflect his budding personality and our hopes for his future. There are framed photos of our family including a custom drawing of our dog Barkley!
A Space for Imagination and Exploration
As Theo grows, we want his room to be a place where his imagination can run wild. That’s why we’ve left plenty of open space in the room for him to play, explore, and create.
Creating a Gender-Neutral Nursery
One of the things we love about the safari theme is its versatility. While we designed this room with our baby boy in mind, the colorful tones and animal themes make it a great option for a gender-neutral nursery as well. The room’s bright colors and natural elements create a calming environment. This would be just as perfect for a baby girl as it is for Theo.
If you’re looking for a gender-neutral nursery theme that’s both modern and timeless, a safari-themed nursery is a fantastic choice. It’s a design that can easily grow with your child, transitioning from a baby’s room to a toddler’s room with just a few simple changes.
Final Touches and the Big Reveal
We’re thrilled with how the room turned out. It’s a space that feels both modern and fun, playful yet sophisticated. It’s a room that Theo can grow into, and we hope it will be a place where he feels safe, loved, and inspired every day.
If you’re in the process of designing a nursery or thinking about creating a special space for your little one, I hope this post has given you some inspiration and ideas. Whether you’re drawn to the idea of an animal-themed nursery, a safari nursery, or just want to incorporate a love of animals into your child’s room, there are so many ways to make the space uniquely yours.
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