Dreamy nursery ideas to help your baby sleep

These soothing colour schemes will help babies – and parents – get a good night’s sleep

“I’m worried about sleepless nights once our baby arrives. Are there any colours schemes you can recommend that will help them sleep better?”

Restful and soothing – these are the top two schemes that parents-to-be say they would most like to achieve when decorating their baby’s nursery, according to a recent Dulux survey.

A relaxing colour palette can work wonders for the whole family. After all, if baby is slumbering soundly, so can you!

Try painting your nursery walls in these soothing shades to help lull your little one to sleep.

Blue has a calming effect on the body and can even reduce your blood pressure. This will come as good news to parents struggling to coax their baby into a regular sleeping pattern.

A pale blue nursery

Pale blue

Blue has a calming effect on the body and can even reduce your blood pressure. This will come as good news to parents struggling to coax their baby into a regular sleeping pattern.

Go for a pale shade with warm undertones so the scheme feels chilled-out but not chilly.

Which paints? Try Big Chill

Pretty green nursery

Mint green

Often regarded as the most serene of all colours, green is a popular choice for bedrooms, particularly paler shades.

Mint green is both soft and fresh, making it ideal for a nursery scheme – it’s mellow enough to let your little one doze off but invigorating enough to keep you going on those nights when they’re just refusing to settle.

Which paints? Try Quiet Nest

Grey may seem an unconventional or dull choice for a nursery, but it can be surprisingly gentle. Layer up different tones of grey in your walls, woodwork, furniture and accessories.

Soft grey nursery

Soft grey

Grey may seem an unconventional or dull choice for a nursery, but it can be surprisingly gentle. Layer up different tones of grey in your walls, woodwork, furniture and accessories, and be sure to include plenty of texture – from matt painted walls to woolly blankets.

Which paints? Try Miller's Cove

Lilac creates a cosy, cocooning feel that can persuade even the most bouncing of babies that it’s time for a nap.

Nursery with violet accent walls

Warm lilac

Lilac creates a cosy, cocooning feel that can persuade even the most bouncing of babies that it’s time for a nap.

Choose a warm, enticing shade that isn’t too bold and team it with grey-green for an ultra-relaxing scheme.

Which paints? Try Westmount and English Meadows

Top tip

For an extra cosy feel, try painting a feature wall in a deeper tone of the same hue. Just make sure you stick to subdued tones so the scheme doesn’t become oppressive or over-stimulating.