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Prepping for baby? Try these gender-neutral nursery color schemes

Not knowing the gender of your baby through pregnancy makes for the ultimate surprise — the ultimate headache.
/ Source: TODAY

Not knowing the gender of your baby through pregnancy makes for the ultimate surprise. It also can make for the ultimate headache when trying to prep for baby — and not knowing what colors to use in the nursery.

“Keeping the gender of your soon-to-be born baby is an exciting experience that many parents like to keep a surprise. So what to do? Pink or blue?” asks Dvira Ovadia, principal designer of Dvira Interiors for Highbrow Consulting in Toronto.

“Going with a gender-neutral color scheme that’s fun and a little less typical allows you to cater to all babies alike. More so, going a little less baby and a little more playful allows you to bridge those years from baby to toddler to preschooler.”

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And even if you do know the gender of your baby through pregnancy, there’s really no reason to stick with the traditional pink and blue, if that’s not your style.

“Don’t shy away from experimenting with colors! It’s a kid’s room after all,” Ovadia says. “Using vivid base tones and layering with additional luminous colors is the key to creating appeal. Some possible color combinations to consider would be yellow and gray, orange and teal, red and white or whatever tones your personal palate gravitates towards. The most important point is to have fun and keep the look vibrant and fresh.”

Check out these gender-neutral nurseries for inspiration!

1. Green and white

Courtesy of DVIRA.com/@dviradesigner

Ovadia designed this playful yet elegant nursery as a space that could grow with the child as he ages.

“The space is neutral but has loads of color,” Ovadia says. “This color combination is fresh, crisp and modern. It works so well because it mimics the tones of nature and still allows you to bring in other vivid hues without clashing or feeling overdone.”

The green and white wallpaper featuring animal silhouettes makes a great statement wall. “The wallpaper created an anchor in the room and a backdrop to the crib,” Ovadia says. “While the wallpaper was the anchor piece in the room, the oversized luxury glider in a white upholstery maintained a fresh look while adding comfort and practicality. Lastly, the fabulous striped rug adds warms and just the right pop of color for a girl or boy!”

2. Gray with pops of color

Joy Kelley

When Joy Kelley of HowJoyful was expecting a baby, she and her husband wanted to keep the gender a surprise. Wanting a theme that was neutral and modern yet very colorful, Kelley took inspiration from her love of carnivals, the circus and animals.

Working on a budget, the Kelleys achieved this sweet space through a variety of DIY projects. The striped walls suggest a circus big-top tent without overwhelming the space, while strategic pops of orange, teal and other bright colors bring in the fun carnival vibe. Kelley made the “K” marquee light and hot air balloon mobile herself!

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3. Earth tones

Courtesy of Sherwin Williams

Try organic neutrals combined with the softest hints of color for a calming, understated atmosphere. Soothing earth tones like SW 7517 China Doll and SW 7694 Dromedary Camel will never appear bland when you add a fresh green accent like SW 7733 Bamboo Shoot or use a warm hue like SW 6360 Folksy Gold to paint a graphic sun on one wall. No matter the gender, it’s easy to imagine a bright future for your precious baby when spending time in this room. See other great nursery ideas from Sherwin-Williams here.

4. Blue and yellow

J&J Design Group

This colorful nursery, designed by Joanna Gick and Jennifer O’Dowd of J & J Design Group in Scottsdale, Arizona, is packed with eye-catching details that both baby boys and girls would love. The sleek white of the floor lamp, crib, and sculptural mirror pop against the deep blue sky wallpaper filled with fluffy clouds and soaring orange birds.

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“The room was inspired by the Julia Rothman wallpaper,” Gick says. “We paired the yellow rug with it to really make it pop. We wanted the space to be bright and cheery not only for our client to enjoy but their new addition as well.” On the other side of the room, a dresser painted in a glossy sherbert orange perfectly matches the wallpaper’s birds.

This post was originally published on September 18, 2015.