DIY Nursery Experience

Creating My Dream Nursery: A Personal DIY Journey

There’s something truly special about creating a space for your child with your own hands. When I found out I was expecting my son, I knew I wanted to build a nursery that was both timeless and personal. As a way to spend time with my Dad and learn everything I could from him, I decided to put my skills to use and make my son’s nursery a reflection of love and craftsmanship.

The Vision: Classic and Cozy

From the start, I envisioned a room with a classic, yet warm feel. I grew up seeing photos of the work my Dad would do and how my Mom would always say, I want him to do this work at our house! So I made sure I learned to refine what I witnessed him do all these years in our garage. The garage wasn’t for cars, it was a full on shop. With endless tools and what felt like a mini Home Depot. The smell of fresh cut wood will always remind me of the smell of my garage growing up as a kid.

I knew I wanted Dad’s hand in this project so I can always say to my son, his Grandpa “Nonno” was part of this. I wanted it to be serene but not boring, elegant yet still inviting for a little one to grow into. After browsing countless inspiration boards, I landed on a two-tone color scheme: Simply White by Benjamin Moore for the lower wainscoting and Benjamin Moore Blue for the upper walls. This contrast created a crisp and sophisticated look while keeping the room light and airy.

Installing Wainscoting and Chair Rail

Wainscoting has always been a favorite design element of mine, and I knew it would add a touch of timeless charm to the nursery. I installed a chair rail at about 36 inches high to separate the two colors and give the space more depth. The process involved a lot of careful measuring, cutting, and nailing—but the end result was well worth it. The wainscoting added character to the walls and gave the nursery a refined, built-in feel.

A Handmade Name Sign: The Perfect Personal Touch

One of my favorite parts of the nursery project was crafting my son’s name out of birch wood. Using my jigsaw, I carefully cut out each letter and sanded them smooth before painting and sealing them. I hung the name sign above his crib, making it the focal point of the room. This simple but meaningful project was a labor of love, and every time I look at it, I feel proud knowing it was made with my own hands.

The Final Touches

Once the major elements were complete, I brought in soft furnishings, cozy blankets, and some sentimental decor pieces to make the nursery feel complete. A plush rug, warm lighting, and wooden accents helped tie everything together, creating a space that felt just right.

A Space Filled with Love

Looking back at this project, I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. More than just a beautifully designed nursery, this room holds a deeper meaning—it’s a space built with love, patience, and a personal touch that no store-bought decor could ever replace. Every time I step inside, I’m reminded of the joy and anticipation of preparing for my little one’s arrival.

If you're considering a DIY nursery, I encourage you to dive in and make it personal. Whether it's wainscoting, a custom sign, or a color scheme that speaks to you, the most important thing is that it feels special and unique to your family.

Adding wainscoting to a nursery is a beautiful way to bring timeless charm and elegance to your baby’s room. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DIYer, this guide will walk you through the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Choose Your Wainscoting Style & Materials

Decide on a style that suits your nursery—whether it's traditional raised panel, board and batten, or beadboard. Gather materials such as MDF or wood panels, chair rail molding, adhesive, nails, a level, and paint.

Step 2: Measure & Plan the Layout

Measure your walls and mark the desired height of your wainscoting. A common height is between 32-42 inches. Use a level to ensure straight lines and plan panel placement for a symmetrical look.

Step 3: Cut & Install Panels and Trim

Cut your wainscoting panels to size and attach them to the wall using construction adhesive and finishing nails. Install the chair rail at the top and base molding at the bottom for a polished look.

Step 4: Fill, Sand & Caulk

Fill nail holes with wood filler, sand smooth, and caulk any gaps for a seamless finish. This step ensures a professional, high-end appearance.

Step 5: Prime & Paint

Apply a high-quality primer before painting in your chosen color. Many opt for crisp white (like Simply White by Benjamin Moore) paired with a complementary wall color.

Step 6: Final Touches

Once dry, clean up any excess paint and style your nursery with cozy decor. Your elegant, custom wainscoting is now complete!

Final Thoughts
DIY wainscoting is an affordable way to elevate your nursery’s design while adding depth and character. With the right tools and patience, you can create a stunning feature wall that will grow with your child for years to come!

Will you take the leap and try this too?

Claud

XO