Decorating a nursery is one of the most exciting parts of getting ready for a new baby – and one of the first questions parents ask is whether wallpaper is a safe choice. The short answer: yes, if you choose the right product and plan the timing. Here is what to look for.
1. Check the inks
Ask what the wallpaper is printed with. Water-based inks are generally preferred for children's rooms over solvent-based alternatives. All 2WayWallpaper murals are printed with HP Latex inks, which are water-based and produce prints with very little odour.
2. Check the material certification
Look for recognised environmental certifications rather than vague "eco" claims. Our murals are printed on ECOLOGO® certified materials, an independent third-party certification for products with reduced environmental impact.
3. Think about the adhesive
With peel & stick wallpaper, the adhesive is already on the back of the panel – there is no paste to mix or brush on. That makes for a quicker, cleaner job, and it's easy to remove later when you want to change the room. If you choose a pasted finish such as our textured or nonwoven wallpaper, ask your decorator for a low-odour wallpaper paste.
4. Get the timing right
- Decorate early. Aim to finish the nursery a few weeks before the baby arrives, so the room has time to air.
- Ventilate. Keep a window open during and after hanging, as you would with any decorating job.
- Delegate if you can. If you're pregnant, it's sensible to let someone else do the climbing and stretching.
5. Plan the layout safely
- Make sure all panel edges are firmly smoothed down, especially near the cot, so little fingers can't pick at them.
- Cut neatly around sockets and switches, and switch off the power before working around them.
- Keep furniture a short distance from the wall so the cot can't rub against seams.
6. Choose a design that grows with your child
A nursery design doesn't need to be babyish. Soft watercolour animals, forests and world maps work for a newborn and still feel right for a five-year-old. Some ideas:
- World maps with animals – calm colours now, a learning tool later. See kids map wallpaper.
- Watercolour jungle and safari – gentle and gender-neutral. See nursery wallpaper.
- Space and stars – dreamy for babies, exciting for toddlers. See space wallpaper.
For more themes, read Kids Room Wallpaper Ideas: 8 Themes Children Love.
7. Keep it calm
For a sleep space, choose soft, muted colours and one feature wall – usually the wall behind the cot or the one facing it – rather than covering every surface. Save bright, high-contrast designs for a playroom.
Ready to start?
Measure your wall with our step-by-step guide, order a sample to check colours in your room, then browse our nursery and kids wallpaper collections. Every mural is printed to your exact wall size, with free shipping to the UK, Europe, USA and Canada.