How to create a gender-neutral nursery

Transforming your nursery into a space-themed area can pique your child's interest in science from a young age.

Some parents may be put off by the darker colours that a space theme would require, but these shades can actually be quite soothing and calming for a child, and will minimise their chances of becoming overstimulated. To get the space theme right, I'd recommend opting for a navy-blue paint or wallpaper and making use of some glow in the dark elements such as ceiling stars or baby mobiles.

Rugs and other soft furnishings with stars and planets on them will add to the room and can add some texture for your baby to familiarise themselves with.

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One of the first things your children will learn at school is the colours of the rainbow, so why not put them one step ahead of their classmates and introduce them to these early? Rather than focussing on pinks for girls and blues for boys, giving them the opportunity to find a favourite colour outside of these societal norms will help them to develop their true personalities.

You'll obviously still want your nursery to look good, so make sure you don't go overboard with clashing colours. Instead, pick two or three primary shades and add smaller hints of colour throughout the room if you think it could do with it. In general, I'd advise that you give pastels a miss as these can be hard for your child to distinguish, as they won't be vibrant enough for their developing eyesight.

Painting three of your nursery walls in one shade and the final wall in another can help you to incorporate some colour in a stylish way, as can opting for multicolour striped wallpaper. You could even paint any cabinetry or surfaces in matching shades to create some cohesion. Finally, add bedding, throws, and hanging mobiles in bright colours, then finish everything off with a multicoloured rug that matches the walls to bring the whole room together nicely.

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Introduce your children to wildlife and pique their interest in animals from a young age by creating a jungle-themed nursery. Along with the many different types of animals, bursts of luscious greenery and bright blooms will provide plenty for your little one to feast their eyes on. And, as the first few months arecrucial for your child's vision development, incorporating as much colour as possible is advised.

If you're looking to try out this theme, I'd recommend dressing your nursery walls with animal-themed wallpaper: look out for ones that have a vast array of animals on them to give your child as much stimulation as possible. Go for wooden wardrobes, dressers, and changing units for a jungle theme, and make sure you fill the room with plush animal toys and games. You could even finish off the look with a shaggy green or low pile brown rug to mimic the grass and soil.

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Going with a minimalistic theme can sometimes be confused with playing it safe but, when it comes to creating a gender-neutral nursery, a simple Scandi design can be a smart choice. This room style is modelled after Scandinavian interiors that focus on the "less is more" approach. It uses fresh, neutral colours, and is heavily influenced by the outdoors. So, try adding some fake plants for your little one to look at, and add wooden wardrobes and cabinets to complete the look.

Monochrome styles are usually chosen by people going for Scandi themes, but this won't be the most stimulating for your little one. So, make sure you add extra bursts of colour with soft furnishings like your rug. I recommend picking one that mimics the earth or the grass and adds texture for them to familiarise themselves with.

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The circus is for people of all ages and genders, so why not make it the theme of your little one's nursery? Think vibrant colours like red and yellow complemented by white to mimic a circus tent. You could paint a big top onto the ceiling above their bed or use drapes and curtains to bring this to life a bit more.

Fill the room with plush animal toys that imitate what you'd see at the circus, including elephants and tigers. You should also make sure you have a comfortable rug for them to sit on when they're playing with these. If you play your cards right with this theme, you might even be able to keep it for many years to come.

Your child's nursery should be a place they feel comfortable in, and any of my five suggestions will help them to embrace their true personality, so pick a theme and get started.

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