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Oct 5, 20234 min read

Crafting the Perfect Safari-Themed Nursery

Earlier this year, my husband and I received the wonderful news that we were expecting another baby! I excitedly began looking through my old Pinterest boards from our first child, trying to choose a theme for a girl or a boy. After much consideration, I had decided on an Alice in Wonderland theme if we had a daughter. For a boy, we had narrowed our options down to either a Safari/Jungle Animals or Space/Astronaut theme. Once we found out that we were having another boy, I started finalizing the nursery design and creating a list of everything we needed to bring the vision to life. Check out my Pinterest Board HERE.


See "Get the Look" sections below for a list of items we used in the nursery.


Nursery Design & Layout


I utilized the free app called Room Planner to determine the optimal layout for my room and visualize how it would look like. You can download it here.


This app allows you to input your room and furniture dimensions, which can help you plan your room layout accurately. I was able to find furniture in the app that closely matched what I had in mind, and I adjusted the sizes as necessary. Another app that I occasionally use for this purpose is Floor Plan Creator.


We carefully planned the layout of the nursery. Our first priority was to position the crib on the focal wall opposite the entryway, allowing us to easily keep an eye on the baby while keeping any hallway noise at bay. We then placed a comfortable rocking chair in the corner of the room for those late-night feedings. To keep all the baby's clothes and accessories organized, we added a dresser with plenty of storage space. Additionally, we placed a nightstand next to the rocking chair to store my breastfeeding supplies, such as water and snacks, and a bookshelf with storage bins for books and toys.



Setting the Base


After emptying the room, we began setting the base with new paint colors and curtains. We carefully selected a color scheme that would brighten up the room and make it more inviting. We chose two different paint colors for the walls, a taupe-grey and a green for the main focal wall behind where the crib will be placed. The curtains we picked out provided a subtle pattern that goes well with the safari theme and provides enough light blocking for a comfortable sleep environment. Once the base was set, we were able to start bringing in the furniture.


Paint Colors

Dutch Boy Platinum Plus Interior Paint - Satin in Sultry Gray (442-3DB)


Dutch Boy Platinum Plus Interior Paint - Satin in Cattails (427-5DB)


Get the Look


Window Treatments

When designing our safari-themed nursery, I wanted curtains with a pattern that would complement the theme, without being too bold and competing with the green wall. Since it's important to have a dark space for naps, I needed curtains that would block out a lot of light. After learning from my first child's experience, I knew the importance of having a dark space for naps, especially as they grow older.


I found these curtains on Target's website and decided to take a chance on them, knowing I could always return them to our local Target if needed. When the curtains arrived, they were perfect. Not only have a subtle print that matches the theme, but they also block out the majority of the daylight. This is a huge win for nap time, as it ensures my little one can sleep soundly during the day. The curtains are also made with a thick, high-quality material that gives them a luxurious look and feel. I love how they break up the grey a bit without being too overwhelming. The addition of the white sheers provides a soft touch and helps to create a cohesive look both inside and outside the house. Overall, I'm thrilled with the curtains and how they fit into our safari-themed nursery.


Nursery Furniture

Finding the right nursery furniture for our new baby was a struggle. Therefore, we decided to convert our son's bedroom suite back into a crib for the new baby. This gave us an opportunity to redesign our oldest son's room and give him a new bedroom suite to grow into. Click here to see what we did in his room.


Overall, the process of finding the right nursery furniture and redesigning our oldest son's room was a lot of work, but it was well worth it in the end. We now have two beautiful rooms that our children can grow and thrive in.



Room Decor


For the room decor I focused on safari animals like giraffes, elephants, and lions; and natural materials to bring in the feel of the African savanna, or at least what I imagine the African savanna to be. I filled the room with animal artwork, animal plushies, greens, and wicker/grass-like baskets and containers. I purchased a couple of focal pieces like a large baby giraffe, faux palm tree, and set of safari animal wall prints. I added a few stuffed animals around the room and a palm leaf pillow to the rocking chair to finish off the look.


It took us a while to choose a name for our son, but when we finally settled on one I ordered this custom set of wooden letters from Hickory Hollow Designs on Etsy.


Get the Look - Artwork & Accessories

Storage & Organization

Organization is crucial for a nursery; you don't want to fumble around in the dark during nighttime feedings or diaper changes trying to find things when you need them.


Get the Look - Organization

SONGMICS Synthetic Rattan Clothes Laundry Hamper with Lid and Handles, Natural - https://a.co/d/inhXEu

kenvc 11x11in Water Hyacinth Baskets, Wicker Storage Basket, 2 Pack - https://a.co/d/iIGCw1L

Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Closet Kit, White - https://a.co/d/bZQLriy

HarperLynn Baby Closet Dividers - Set of 8 Jungle Safari Nursery Clothes Organizers - https://a.co/d/fBPPVcu

18pk Kids' Hangers - Pillowfort™ https://www.target.com/p/18pk-kids-39-hangers-white-pillowfort-8482/-/A-50350309

13"x13"x6" Fabric Bin with Lid Light Gray - Brightroom™ https://www.target.com/p/13-34-x13-34-x6-34-fabric-bin-with-lid-light-gray-brightroom-8482/-/A-83546646


Drawer Dividers Organizer 5 Pack, Adjustable Separators 4" High Expandable from 11-17" - https://a.co/d/09Mzzuv

Bedding & Linens


When searching for bedding and linens, I decided on a Sweet Jojo set from Amazon. I was specifically looking for a set that featured safari animals without looking too cartoonish. The painted style of the animals on this set was perfect.



Get the Look - Bedding

Fitted Crib Sheet from Sweet Jojo Designs - https://a.co/d/2aW8qYV


Sweet Jojo Designs Jungle Animal Crib Bed Skirt - https://a.co/d/fiLlVB9


Sweet Jojo Designs Jungle Animal Nursery Changing Pad Cover - https://a.co/d/27rfDnd


Final Results

I am really pleased with the end product! It's perfect for a cute nursery theme, but can also adapt as my child grows without requiring too many changes. Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas and tips in the comments section!

See "Get the Look" sections above for links to the items we used in the nursery.


Other theme ideas we considered

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