20 Animal-Themed Nursery Ideas
to Enliven Your Little One

Similar to the above, animal-themed rockers adhere to the best of both worlds—they’re functional and decorative! Not only do rockers calm and soothe our kiddos, but there are so many fun animals to choose from to really spice up the theme. From elephants to bunnies, choose the one that best suits your little one’s imagination.

Rugs are a simple way to play up the animal theme. Whether you find an animal-print rug or want to add texture with a simple shag rug, there are plenty of adorable options that can make a big statement to your animal-themed nursery.

A jungle-themed nursery is the perfect way to bring tons of color and animals into the mix. Paint the walls green, find jungle-themed fitted sheets or bring in your favorite jungle animals through rocking chairs and other fun accents. Bonus: Add “The Jungle Book” to a bedside table for a snuggly afternoon read.

You can’t create an animal haven without different textures. There are a handful of ways to bring animal-like textures into your nursery, from furry rugs to fuzzy blankets. Why not add a bamboo seat to read to your little panda to help put them to sleep at night?

There is nothing cuter than a little animal face on a fun, fluffy pillow, right? Animal pillows are the perfect addition to an animal-themed nursery—or any nursery really.

Your newborn needs something to keep them occupied. Animal-themed crib mobiles are not only functional, but they also add to the decor of a safari-like nursery. Find your favorite furry friends that not only look cute but also help your baby develop their fine motor skills as they start to reach for new things.

Who said animal-themed nurseries have to be eccentric? If you’re into a more modern, minimalist look, you can still create a fun animal nursery. Look for lighter, pastel-colored accents. Choose white furniture and simplistic decor and accessories to complement everything.

If you’re the adventurous decorator, take it a step beyond wallpaper and add a full-on wall mural. From starry nights to cactuses to fairy-like motifs, you can bring any type of animal setting into your nursery with easy-to-apply murals. 

And no, we don’t mean patterns—we mean prints you hang on walls! There’s no better way to showcase your favorite animal than with some good old-fashioned wall art. From lions to tigers to bears (oh my!), this is the perfect way to add a little more animal life into your nursery.

When decorating your nursery, a nursery mat might not be the first thing that comes to mind to really spice up the decor. However, they’re yet another fun way to bring even more animals into the room while providing a soft, fun place to play!

There’s nothing better than snuggling with your favorite stuffed animal at night, so why not make it part of the theme? From unicorns to lions to tried-and-true teddy bears, stuffed toys make the best and most useful decorative accents.

If you’re really going all out with your animal-themed nursery, find jumbo-sized stuffed animals to add to corners of the room. They’re fun, festive and fill up any wasted space to fit the theme.

One of the easiest ways to transform a room is to add decorative wallpaper. There are tons of easy-to-apply wallpapers that mimic forest trees or showcase cute animals to really create that whimsical, storybook feel.

Side tables and nightstands are necessities for nurseries, as they hold our most prized possessions, from books to bottles, and provide space for a lamp for reading time. Plus, they leave room to add cute, animal-themed accents to add to your fun theme. Add a toy animal or more lush plants to play up that jungle-themed nursery feel.

Don’t compromise animal flair if you’re short on space! Even for a small nursery, get creative by adding floating shelves for both additional storage space and to add fun animal accents like framed prints or cute little figurines.

Don’t make lighting an afterthought! Instead, cover light bulbs with decorative light fixtures that resemble flowers or leaves to play up the forestlike scenery. Go a step further and find animal-themed lamps to add to bedside tables or animal-dwelling nightlights to add a bit of brightness while your little one sleeps.

Who doesn’t love snuggling in fun, cozy bedding? Make sure your newborn is snug as a bug in a rug with fun, animal-print crib sheets that support the theme.

Dive headfirst in the forest- or jungle-themed nursery by adding a sound machine a safe distance away from your baby’s crib. Find nature-like, calming noises to help your baby sleep soundly.

Have the space for a bookcase? Load ’em up with your favorite animal-themed books that are sure to become your babies' as they grow up listening to you read them.

Toys can be fun, educational and decorative elements within your nursery! Add an art easel to the corner and teach your little ones how to draw their favorite animals, or look for animal-themed puzzles to stock bookshelves and pull them out on a rainy day.