While I was preparing for my little one’s arrival, one of my favorite parts of the journey was setting up his nursery. Nesting instinct at full blast! I wanted it to be more than just a room—it’s the place where I knew I’d spend countless hours rocking, feeding, changing, and soaking up those first snuggles.
We decided on a transportation theme (planes, trains, and automobiles!) and I loved bringing it all together. If you’re dreaming of something similar, here’s how I created a space that feels fun, functional, and cozy for our little guy. While designing this space, I picked up a few lessons I wish I had known from the start that I’m sharing here in case they save you some time and stress.
Choosing the Right Color Palette
Even though I wanted a playful theme, I knew the room needed to feel peaceful. Babies thrive in calm, uncluttered spaces. Since we rent our apartment, we kept our walls a soft white. It gave us a clean backdrop for all the colorful details without feeling overwhelming. Keeping the walls neutral also means we can easily swap themes later as he grows (without repainting!). In the end, I love how the white walls make the little pops of cars, planes, and trains stand out even more.
Focusing on Function First
Before I got carried away with all the cute transportation touches, I made sure we had the basics in place:
- Crib: A simple, sturdy crib that meets safety standards. I chose to add a pop of color here with a blue crib. Plus, it can eventually transition into a toddler bed, which made it feel like a smart investment.
- Dresser: This is one of my favorite functional pieces that is not only beautiful, but will serve us for years (I’ve even thought about swapping with our Ikea dresser in our bedroom!). I added drawer organizers to keep everything neat, and of course, I could never pass up an opportunity to use my label maker. Folding his tiny onesies was one of those “it’s really happening” moments. The dresser also functions as our changing area with the changing pad on top, which makes late-night diaper changes so much easier when everything (diapers, wipes, cream, and sanitizer) is within arm’s reach.
- Recliner: Honestly, this has been my lifesaver during those middle-of-the-night feeds. We’ve spent so many quiet sleepy hours here with him all day long.
- Storage: Since the closet in our second bedroom is already full of winter coats and knick knack storage, we knew we needed to include big storage pieces in the nursery to accommodate books, toys, and clothes. I loved the idea of our son having his own wardrobe where he would eventually be able to get his clothes himself. This was not easy to find, but I absolutely love this one I discovered on Etsy. Going vertical with storage also helped free up some floor space.
Once those were set, I let myself play with the theme.
Incorporating the Transportation Details
This part was so fun! I wanted to sprinkle in transportation touches without making the room feel too busy. Here’s what we added:
- Wall Art: Prints of cars, trains, and airplanes around the room.
- Rug: A road-pattern rug that one day will become the track for toy cars.
- Bedding: Crib sheets with tiny cars.
- Mobile: An airplane mobile above the crib (far enough away that it is just for looking).
- Storage Bin: We needed somewhere for his stuffed animals and love the idea of having them in a school bus.
- Cat House: Introducing a baby to your pet(s) is not easy! We wanted our cat to have his own cozy spot in the baby’s room to help ease the transition. I love this ice cream truck cat house and now he loves curling up there while we’re in the nursery.
Each little detail made the nursery feel so personal and joyful and a place our whole family belongs, not just the baby.
Adding Personal Touches
My favorite thing in the room is our one year calendar. My mom did this for my siblings and me when we were little, and it was so fun going through mine while I was pregnant. Continuing that tradition for my son feels so special and I’ve loved tracking all of his milestones (big and small!).
Final Thoughts
Creating our transportation-themed nursery has been such a joy. It’s playful but calm, practical but sweet. Most importantly, it’s a space filled with love, where we get to watch our little boy grow. I hope it inspires you as you create your own little one’s special space.
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