Looking for vintage nursery ideas with a little something extra? Think storybook pictures, checked curtains and dressers with pretty curved edges.
These rooms give you plenty to choose from, whether you love pale pink flowers or darker furniture with simple cream walls.
You can keep things simple or go all out with patterns. Borrow the decorative details rather than copying every crib setup: use a crib that meets current safety standards with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet only. Keep canopies, cords, pillows and toys out of the sleep space.
Vintage nursery details worth saving
cream florals and little frames
We’re starting off strong with this pretty cream-and-brown room. I love the oval floral rug and the little framed pictures tucked around the window.
The dark dresser looks lovely beside the pale rocking chair.
For your own version, bring those floral details into a rug or chair cushion rather than hanging fabric around the crib.
curved drawers and an oval mirror
How gorgeous is this dresser? The curved drawer fronts and decorative dark handles are my favorite parts.
A plain oval mirror above it keeps the wall from looking too busy.
If you’re saving nursery decor ideas vintage lovers would enjoy, this is a lovely furniture detail to borrow. Secure the dresser to the wall and use a changing setup approved for your furniture.
trailing flowers and cream paneling
If you are looking for a pretty wall idea, this one is for you. Little pink flowers trail up the wallpaper above cream rectangular panels.
The dark crib and matching brown bedside chest look so good against those lighter colors.
Keep the wallpaper above the paneling if you want to follow this look.
a storybook chair
I am obsessed with this little chair corner. The illustrated seat and back cushions are so sweet, plus that duck toy is adorable.
A brown chair with a storybook-print cushion would be a lovely way to try the look without changing your whole room.
rabbits and green checks
Calling all storybook fans, this collage has so many cute details to save. There’s an oval rabbit portrait, rows of picture books and a green checked armchair with pink toys.
I especially love the little wheeled ducks. Choose one animal motif to repeat if you want a simpler version of this mix.
a patterned rug under the sloped ceiling
This rug may just be one of my favorites here. The pink, dark blue and cream pattern looks gorgeous beside the brown crib and low chair.
The wallpaper follows the shorter walls beneath the white sloped ceiling. If you have a similar room, that’s a pretty place to introduce a small repeating print.
checked curtains and bird wallpaper
Who says you have to choose just one pattern? The gray-green checked curtains look so pretty next to the tiny birds and flowering branches.
Try curtain rings in a dark brown shade like these. I love that little detail against the green window trim.
tiny flowers and a blue trunk
There’s so much to love here, from the little scattered wall flowers to the pale blue trunk with patterned strips. The pink rug is another sweet touch.
The tall-post crib has an old-fashioned silhouette, but appearance doesn’t establish safety. I’d borrow the flower pattern and blue accents while choosing a crib that meets current standards.
Read also: 20 Colorful Nursery Ideas With Rainbows, Bright Walls and Playful Details
butterflies and an oversized bow
If you love decorative bows, this picture has plenty of inspiration. The oversized cream bow sits above brown pleats, floral edging and tiny hanging butterflies.
Treat this as color and motif inspiration rather than a sleep setup. A framed butterfly picture with a small bow on its frame, well away from the crib, could bring in the same sweet details.
a storybook gallery wall
How adorable is this gallery wall? The central rabbit picture and the geese below it are my favorite parts.
Little landscapes and patterned borders fill the spaces around them.
Try mixing tall and wide frames like these instead of choosing all one size. The pink checked changing pad adds another pretty pattern below.
sage trim and a scalloped mirror
I am in love with this sage green trim. It outlines the small-print wallpaper and continues across the lower wall, with matching green curtains beside it.
The scalloped mirror and wide pleated lampshade are worth saving too. You don’t need lots of little decorations when those shapes already add so much.
red and green patchwork
The patchwork fans are going to love this! Red diamonds and green stars alternate across a cream background, with striped borders along the bottom.
For a nursery, display a quilt like this away from the crib rather than using it as infant bedding. Those colors would also look cute in a framed patchwork print.
a teddy in checked overalls
How cute is this teddy? Not gonna lie, the green checked overalls with those big buttons might be my favorite little detail on the list.
The illustrated picture, tiny basket and toy tram make a sweet display around it. Keep decorative pieces out of reach and skip a lit candle in this setup.
a cottage mural and red stripes
I am obsessed with the little cottage on this wall. The winding path, green hills and pink flowers make such a pretty storybook scene.
The green woven bassinet has red-and-white striped lining. Borrow its green color for a separate storage basket or try those stripes on curtains.
Leave the pillows, loose coverings and ties out of your baby’s sleep space.
an ornate mirror above the dresser
Don’t want patterned wallpaper and want something a little simpler? Look no further than this dresser wall.
The tall gold-colored mirror has gorgeous curled details, with small pale pictures on either side.
I’d keep the patterned rug and basket as the extra touches. Secure a heavy mirror like this firmly to the wall.
animal portraits and a striped chair
This is another cute way to bring animals into your nursery. Four framed illustrations hang above pale vertical paneling, with an alphabet hanging off to the side.
I love the striped chair tucked into the corner. Pick a few simple animal prints if you want to try the same look without covering the entire wall.
blue stripes and a checked footstool
This room is for you if you love mixing checks and stripes. The blue-gray striped walls sit behind a cream chair and a round checked footstool with a ruffled edge.
Read also: 20 Coastal Preppy Room Decor Ideas With Stripes, Gingham and Seashells
Even the little lampshade has a check pattern! The dark dresser and curtains give you a different option from the pale floral rooms above.
little blue stars
I love this star-covered wallpaper with the blue-and-white checked footstool. The framed little outfit is such a sweet alternative to another picture.
Borrow those details and the gold-colored crib finish if you like this palette. Choose a compliant crib and leave off the padded bumpers and decorative ties shown here.
a peg rail and wheeled basket
Don’t want to go overboard with the decor? No problem!
This little corner has pale paneling, a matching peg rail and three small framed pictures.
The wheeled basket below is my favorite part. Try a similar basket for toys, with the rail kept away from the crib so hanging items stay out of reach.
blush curtains and a pleated shade
Last but definitely not least, we have this pretty pink-and-brown corner. I love the blush pleated lampshade beside the pale flower arrangement.
The long curtains repeat that pink without adding another print.
The small shelf with its heart-shaped detail is adorable too. Bring in a similar shelf for a few decorations if you want to keep the dresser surface clearer.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella