I have known for quite some time that I wanted to have a safari nursery one day. When I found out that I was pregnant I had to wait two days to surprise my husband with the pregnancy announcement. It was my own fault because I ordered something from Amazon I had to wait for. During those two days I spent every spare moment scouring pinterest and creating the perfect inspiration board for our gender neutral safari nursery.
It had to be a gender neutral nursery because there was no way I was going to be able to wait to start planning the room until we found out the gender.
I chose a safari nursery because I felt it perfectly combined our love of travel with a very cute childish vibe!
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The Furniture
The first step was picking out the furniture. I knew it had to be simple and versatile because we want more kids and I hope to not have to buy new furniture each time. White is timeless, works with any theme and gives a light and airy vibe to a room that I love. The crib and changing table were purchased off of facebook marketplace, this saved us a lot of money and we still got a fairly new crib (it is still sold online).
Read More: The Guide to Buying Furniture on Facebook Marketplace
The rocking chair was a gift from my parents and I LOVE it. The fabric is buttery soft and the chair is comfortable which will be perfect for late nights with Baby Boy. As an added bonus the chair has a massaging feature, it’s nothing fancy but it does feel nice.
The Walls
Next, I took to the walls to add in more safari themed artwork and design elements. The baby animal prints that hang over the crib are very popular to use in a safari nursery and for good reason. They are cute and relatively affordable. The most expensive part was the frames but if you go down in print size then you can find frames for cheaper. I added the leaves with the baby animals to bring more color to the nursery.
Over the changing table I wanted a large mirror to make the space feel bigger as well as to play with Baby Boy in later on. Mirrors can get really pricey so I also turned to facebook marketplace for this. There were several options, it was just a matter of waiting for one that matched the nursery and my price point to come along. I am super happy with how this Ikea mirror matched!
Finally, I added shelving for added storage. The nursery is small and I did not want to take up any more floor space with furniture. The white shelves are perfect for storing books and toys and the brown shelf and hooks can hold outfits, towels or swaddles as needed.
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The Details
Lastly, it was time to add in the small details that really brought the safari theme alive. I started by adding some texture to the room with a wicker lamp shade and woven baskets. On the floor I added a simple faux fur rug.
Then I added animals all over the room with a giraffe clock, a safari animal mobile and crib quilt, and monkey curtain ties. These all came from family and the majority of them are hand made. They hold a lot of meaning and love from the family and friends around us. All the animals hidden around the room make it feel like a real safari!
Since the safari theme was largely inspired by our love of traveling I couldn’t help but add in a few travel themed nursery elements as well. The morrocan pouf was my favorite find and is a really unique piece. The globe bookends have been used in various places throughout our house over the years but work perfectly here for now.
Affordable Safari Nursery Tips
In order to make our gender neutral safari nursery affordable there are a few things I did. I use these tips to save money every time I decorate a new space!
- Shop your house and storage: You may be surprised what you can find around your own house and items you have stored away that can be given new life and purpose in a new room. See what you can avoid spending money on by shopping your own house.
- Shop on Facebook marketplace: You can find unique gems on facebook marketplace that can really make your space unique. Plus this is where you are going to find some of the best deals and biggest savings of anywhere else you shop.
- Thrift Shopping: Another great place to find great items for a steal is at thrift stores. Make a day of it with your mom or some friends and see what you can pick up for your nursery at the local thrift stores. Just make sure you clean off everything you buy before the baby gets here (that applies to everything, not just thrifted items). Home goods are my favorite things to shop for at thrift stores, with clothes being a close second!
- Gifts: Ask for people to give items to you and the baby that will match your nursery theme. This will save you a lot of money and is the perfect way to use your baby registry.
- Bargain Stores: Finally if you cannot find what you are looking for used then I would try bargain stores like Ross or TJMaxx. You can find really inexpensive trendy items but spend much less than by shopping at traditional stores.
Safari Nursery Decor Sources and Links:
Here is everything linked for your convenience. If anything was sold out or discontinued I found 1-2 similar items that you could use in your home instead.
- Crib
- Crib Mattress
- Mattress Protector
- Palm Leaf Crib Sheet
- Mobile Holder
- Safari Animal Mobile – Handmade by Sister
- Crib Blanket – Handmade by Family
- Baby Safari Animal Wall Prints
- Jungle Leaf Wall Prints
- 11×14 Frames
- Faux Palm Tree
- Woven Belly Basket – Similar
- Wooden Play Gym
- Similar Faux Fur Rug
- Curtain Rod Wall Mounts
- Bamboo Curtain Rod
- Curtains – Similar
- Monkey Curtain Tieback – Made by Sister-in-Law
- Shelves – Ikea
- Stuffed Animals
- Elephant – Mine as a kid
- Black and Rattan Sphere – Pier 1
- Clay Elephant – Handmade by Me in a Ceramics Class
- Yarn “R” – DIY Project
- Mini Tree Painting – Street Vendor in Mexico
- Globe Bookends
- Cream Rocking Chair
- Moroccan Pouf
- Blanket Basket – Similar
- Side Table
- Lamp – Similar
- Lamp Shade – Similar
- Giraffe Clock Figurine
- Square Mirror
- Changing Table
- Changing Pad
- Palm Leaf Changing Pad Cover
- Seagrass Baskets
- Wood Shelf with Hooks
- Wooden Roller Giraffe and Elephant
- Faux Plant – Similar
- Elephant Towel
- Outlet Covers
You can also shop the nursery through the LiketoKnow.it app if that is easier for you!
Hi! What paint colors are on the walls? This is beautiful!
I am honestly not sure! We were renting at the time and I had no say in the color.