We dreamed of creating a gender-neutral nursery makeover that felt calm, cozy, and timeless. You know, something that could grow with our baby and fit seamlessly with the rest of our home. The result is a cozy, Montessori-inspired space on a budget, designed with both function and style in mind.
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Creating a Cozy, Gender-Neutral Nursery That Grows With Baby
When we started planning our nursery, we knew we wanted it to feel different from the overly themed spaces we often see. Don’t get us wrong, we love a cute nursery moment. However, our goal was to create something calm, cozy, and timeless. A space that felt like it belonged in the rest of our home while also being designed with baby’s growth and independence in mind.
We leaned into a gender-neutral palette with soft, earthy tones and kept the furniture and decor minimal but purposeful.
Inspired by Montessori principles, we wanted the room to encourage exploration and independence without sacrificing style or function. And because we’ve learned through countless home projects that thoughtful design doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune, we challenged ourselves to create this cozy haven on a budget.
The result? A calm and practical nursery that feels special, intentional, and full of little details that make us smile every time we walk in.
Want to see how it all came together?
Watch the full process over on Instagram:
Nursery Makeover Reel
Montessori Bookshelf Install
Before + After Transformation
From Dated to a Dreamy, Gender-Neutral Nursery
This room started with a very different vibe. Picture teal blue carpet that had definitely seen better days, dated oak trim, and some random shelving units that were more functional in theory than in reality. It felt dark and cramped—not exactly the soft, welcoming nursery we envisioned for our little one.
Our design goals were simple yet intentional. We wanted to use a gender-neutral and soft color palette to keep the space feeling light and airy. The layout needed to be Montessori-inspired to encourage independence and give baby plenty of room to grow, play, and explore. And of course, we wanted the finished space to feel stylish and cozy without blowing our budget.
It’s amazing how much a few thoughtful changes can completely transform a room. From flooring to furniture to those little finishing touches, every choice we made brought us closer to creating a space that feels warm, functional, and full of love.
See the full transformation in our Before + After Instagram Reel
Our Favorite Nursery Details + Elements
Wallpaper: A Soft, Dreamy Statement
When we envisioned this nursery, we knew we wanted a backdrop that felt whimsical without being overwhelming. We chose Nestig’s Wallpaper, and it completely changed the feel of the room.
The soft, muted tones add subtle texture and bring in a sense of playfulness that still feels sophisticated.
Because our nursery is on the smaller side (just 8×10), we were careful to pick a pattern that wouldn’t make the room feel busy or closed in. This wallpaper strikes the perfect balance. It’s there, it’s beautiful, and it adds so much warmth, but it doesn’t compete with the rest of the design.
The Crib and Bedding: Safe, Simple, and Beautiful
The crib is one of the most important pieces in any nursery, and we fell in love with the Nestig Wave Crib for its clean lines and versatility.
It’s sustainably made and designed to grow with baby, which makes it an investment we feel great about.
We paired it with Nestig’s Soft Crib Sheets in a gentle neutral and their sweet Mobile, which adds just enough visual interest without cluttering the space. The end result is a crib setup that feels safe, simple, and beautiful. It is a little corner of the room where we know so many precious memories will happen.
Nursery Chair: Affordable Comfort
Every nursery needs a comfortable spot for snuggles, feedings, and late-night rocking sessions.
We found this Amazon nursery chair that gives us all the cozy vibes of the high-end Babyletto Kiwi Chair but at a fraction of the price. It’s sleek and modern but still soft enough to curl up in with a blanket and a book.
This chair has quickly become one of our favorite places in the house.
Whether we’re reading a bedtime story or just sitting and soaking up quiet moments, it’s the kind of furniture piece that feels like it belongs in any room… not just a nursery.
Montessori Bookshelf and Mirror: Designed for Growth
One of the core Montessori principles we wanted to incorporate was independence. We added a low Montessori-Style Bookshelf so baby can see and access their books and toys on their own as they grow.
To make our small room feel larger, we hung a round wood-framed mirror above the shelf. It adds warmth and reflects light in the space, making it feel open and airy. Plus, we love knowing it will be a spot for our little one to discover reflections and develop self-awareness in their own time.
Blackout Curtains: Warmth and Function
We chose the Liz Linen Blackout Curtains from TwoPages and they were one of the best decisions for this room. The linen texture feels organic and soft, while the blackout lining keeps the space cozy and dark during naps and bedtime.
Hanging them high and wide added even more height and visual space to the small room.
PRO TIP: Mount your curtain rods close to the ceiling and extend them past the window frame to make any space feel bigger and more finished.
The Dresser: A $40 Marketplace Find With Custom DIY Storage
This dresser is one of our proudest DIY moments.
We scored it on Facebook Marketplace for just $40 and refreshed it with a few coats of primer and white paint. Josue then built a custom changing station topper with storage compartments for diapers, wipes, and all those tiny baby essentials.
This piece perfectly blends function and style.
It saved us hundreds of dollars compared to buying new, and it feels so satisfying to know we created something unique for this special space.
Practical Tips for a Minimal, Functional Gender- Neutral Nursery
Designing a nursery isn’t just about making it look beautiful. it’s about creating a space that works for your family’s everyday life. We found that keeping things minimal and functional not only made the room feel more peaceful but also gave us more room to grow and adapt as our baby’s needs change.
Here are a few practical tips that helped us make the most of our small space.
✔ Focus on timeless pieces that can grow with your child
✔ Choose multi-purpose furniture that saves space
✔ Keep decor simple so there’s room for play and movement
✔ Add storage solutions to minimize clutter and keep the space peaceful
Shop the Look: Nursery Favorites
- Ruggable Rug
- Name Sign
- Woven Pendant Light
- Montessori Bookshelf
- Rattan Lamp
- Mobile
- Wallpaper
- Crib Sheets
- Crib
A Montessori-Inspired, Gender-Neutral Nursery Ready for Baby
We couldn’t be happier with how this nursery came together. It feels calm and welcoming with just enough whimsy to make it special for our little one. Even better, it’s functional in a way that will grow with our family and stay beautiful for years to come.
It’s proof that with a little creativity, some budget finds, and a few DIY touches, you can create a nursery that feels both practical and personal.
Have questions about creating your own Montessori-inspired nursery?
Or want to share your nursery makeover?
Drop a comment below.
We’d love to hear from you.
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Happy DIYing,
Sway + Sarah Build
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