Nursery

Wallpaper styles that work best in nurseries

Animals and woodland creatures — the most requested nursery category. Illustrated foxes, deer, rabbits, bears, and birds in soft palettes create a warm, story-book environment. Realistic animal prints can grow with a child; more whimsical illustrated styles feel most appropriate for the earliest years.

Sky and celestial patterns — clouds, stars, moons, hot air balloons, and soft celestial compositions create a dreamlike, calming atmosphere that works for both nurseries and toddler rooms. Pale blues, soft grays, and warm creams keep the mood restful rather than stimulating.

Nature and botanical murals — a gentle forest scene, rolling meadows, or oversized botanical print creates an immersive backdrop for the crib wall. Single-image murals scale to your exact crib wall dimensions without tiling, creating a continuous scene rather than a repeating pattern.

Soft geometric patterns — simple shapes in muted palettes — triangles, dots, gentle stripes — provide visual interest without strong stimulation. Works well for babies who are starting to track patterns, and ages gracefully into a toddler room without becoming overly babyish.

Safety first: why peel-and-stick is the right material for nurseries

Applied Coverings' peel-and-stick canvas and linen materials are zero-VOC and formaldehyde-free. No off-gassing means the nursery is safe to use the same day as installation — there's no waiting period for fumes to clear. The adhesive is pressure-sensitive rather than chemical, so there's no wet application, no paste buckets, and no solvent odor during install. Pre-pasted wallpaper uses a water-activated adhesive that is low-VOC but requires a short drying period before the room is occupied. If you're choosing based on safety alone, either peel-and-stick option is the right call.

Material recommendations for nurseries

Frequently asked questions about nursery wallpaper

Is peel-and-stick wallpaper safe for a nursery?

Yes. Applied Coverings' peel-and-stick canvas and linen are zero-VOC and formaldehyde-free — no off-gassing during or after installation. There is no paste, no solvent adhesive, and no wet application process. The room can be used the same day as installation without any waiting period for the air to clear.

Which wall should get the nursery wallpaper?

The crib wall is the most popular choice — the focal wall behind or beside the crib is what the baby sees during waking hours and what parents see when they enter the room. A single accent wall uses one-quarter the material of a full room, creates a strong focal point, and is easier to replace when the child is ready for a new design. Full-room wallpaper works well for soft geometric and subtle patterns that won't feel overwhelming as the child grows.

Can nursery wallpaper be removed without damaging the wall?

Yes. Peel & Stick Canvas and Peel & Stick Linen are designed to release cleanly from painted drywall. Peel slowly at a low angle (approximately 45 degrees) and each panel comes off in one piece without tearing paint, leaving adhesive residue, or requiring heat or steam. This makes peel-and-stick the standard recommendation for nurseries in both owned and rented homes.

How do I measure the crib wall for nursery wallpaper?

Measure the full width and height of the wall in inches, then add 2–4 inches to each dimension for trim. Applied Coverings prints to the exact measurements you provide — if you give us 96 × 102 inches, that's what you receive. No roll calculations, no leftover material, no math required. See our wall measurement guide for angled ceilings and rooms with obstacles.

Does the pattern repeat in nursery wallpaper?

No. Applied Coverings prints every order to your exact wall dimensions, so the design scales to fill the space without visible repeats. A forest mural printed for a 9 × 8 ft crib wall is a single continuous image, not a tiled pattern that repeats in the middle of a tree trunk.

At what age should nursery wallpaper be changed?

This depends entirely on the design. Applied Coverings' children's designs are created to age well — woodland animals and nature scenes remain appealing from infancy through early childhood. When your child is ready for a different look, peel-and-stick wallpaper comes down cleanly in an afternoon and new wallpaper can go up the same day.

Can nursery wallpaper be customized to fit my wall size?

Yes. Every design is printed to order and sized to your exact wall dimensions, including standard nursery walls, alcoves, and rooms with angled ceilings. Enter your width and height at checkout and we produce the wallpaper to those measurements.