Quick answer
For nursery wallpaper installation, choose a low-VOC, washable, strippable paper such as a coated non-woven, hang it over a wallcovering primer, and finish at least several weeks before the due date so the room can air out. Wallpaper Installer Seattle measures on site, confirms the roll count before you order, and helps you decide between an accent wall and a full room.
Key facts
- Choose low-VOC or emissions-certified papers, primers and pastes for a nursery.
- Finish installation at least several weeks before the due date and ventilate the room.
- Washable is the minimum for kids' rooms; scrubbable handles tougher cleaning.
- Strippable non-woven papers over a wallcovering primer come off cleanly later.
- Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint; test before any sanding.
- A mural or bold print on the crib wall is a lower-commitment alternative to a full room.
What should you look for in nursery wallpaper?
Nursery wallpaper should be low in chemical emissions, easy to clean, durable enough for little hands, and easy to remove when the child outgrows the design. Those four qualities matter more in a nursery than the exact pattern, because the room will change several times as a baby becomes a toddler and then a school-age kid.
Here is a quick checklist to bring when you shop:
- Low emissions: look for low-VOC or emissions-certified products, and ask about the paste as well as the paper.
- Cleanability: check whether the label says washable or scrubbable.
- Removability: look for "strippable" or "dry strippable", common on non-woven papers.
- Durability: heavier, coated papers resist scuffs, crayons and bumps better than delicate uncoated ones.
- Longevity of the design: a pattern that can grow with the child saves a redo in a few years.
Is wallpaper safe for a nursery?
Yes, wallpaper is a common and safe choice for a nursery when you choose low-emission products, install well ahead of the baby's arrival and ventilate the room while everything cures. Most of the odor and off-gassing in a freshly papered room comes from the adhesive and primer as they dry, and it drops off as they cure.
Low-VOC papers, primers and pastes
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are the chemicals responsible for that "new" smell. Many manufacturers now offer wallcoverings, primers and pastes labeled low-VOC, and some wallcoverings carry third-party emissions certifications such as GREENGUARD Gold, which is designed with sensitive spaces like schools and homes with children in mind. Labels and certifications vary by product, so check the specific roll and adhesive rather than the brand in general.
Non-woven papers are a popular nursery choice because they are breathable, can usually be hung with a paste-the-wall method, and come off cleanly later. Solid vinyl is very durable and wipeable, but it is a heavier plastic surface; some parents prefer non-woven or paper for a baby's room and save vinyl for a busy kids' bathroom.
Older homes: test before anyone sands
Many homes across the Seattle area were built before 1978, when lead-based paint was still in residential use. If the nursery walls or trim might have original paint, it should be tested before any sanding or scraping, and pregnant family members should stay out of the room during any prep that disturbs old paint. Older textured or popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos and should be tested before they are disturbed. These are not reasons to avoid wallpaper; they are reasons to plan the prep correctly.
When should you install nursery wallpaper before the baby arrives?
Plan to finish nursery wallpaper at least several weeks before your due date, so the paste and primer have time to cure and the room can air out. Earlier is better, for three reasons.
- Cure and ventilation time. Even low-VOC products need time to dry fully. Running a window cracked or a fan in the room for a stretch after installation helps clear any odor.
- Furniture and decor come after paper. Cribs, dressers, shelves and blackout curtains all go in after the walls are done, and you want time to set them up calmly.
- Babies arrive on their own schedule. Early arrivals are common. A nursery finished in the second trimester or early third trimester takes the deadline pressure off.
Our scheduling is easiest when you contact us as soon as you have chosen a paper, or even before, so we can measure and confirm the roll count first. Specialty papers can take time to ship, and ordering the right quantity the first time avoids delays. The guide to how many rolls of wallpaper you need explains how that count is worked out.
Should you do an accent wall or the whole nursery?
An accent wall is the simpler, lower-cost option and is easy to change later, while a full room creates a more immersive, storybook feel. Both work; the right choice depends on the pattern and how long you want the look to last.
| Accent wall | Full room | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Defines the crib wall as a focal point | Wraps the room in pattern |
| Best patterns | Murals, large scenes, bold prints | Small to medium repeats, soft florals, stripes |
| Paper needed | Fewer rolls | More rolls; doors and windows add cuts |
| Changing it later | Quick to remove or replace | Bigger job, though strippable papers help |
| Pairs well with | A coordinating paint on the other walls | Simple furniture and solid textiles |
A mural behind the crib, such as a woodland scene, a gentle landscape or a sky, is one of the most popular nursery treatments. Murals are usually sold sized to a specific wall and printed in panels, so measuring correctly before ordering matters. See how to measure for a wall mural and our wall mural installation service. A papered ceiling with soft stars or clouds is another lovely option, since babies spend a lot of time looking up.
How do you choose a nursery pattern that grows with your child?
Choose a pattern based on color and mood rather than a baby-only theme, and it can carry a child from crib to big-kid bed. Very literal baby motifs can feel young within a few years, while botanicals, soft geometrics, stripes, gentle animals and landscapes age well.
- Muted and natural palettes like sage, warm white, dusty blue and clay are calming and easy to decorate around.
- Medium scale patterns read well both from the crib and from the doorway.
- Theme with accessories. Put the strongest theme in bedding, art and toys, which are easy to swap, and keep the wallpaper a little more timeless.
What makes wallpaper washable and durable for kids' rooms?
Washable wallpaper can be gently cleaned with a damp sponge and mild soap, while scrubbable wallpaper tolerates firmer cleaning, and kids' rooms benefit from at least washable. Wallpaper labels and sample books usually show these performance ratings as symbols; it is worth checking before you buy.
For toddler and school-age rooms, practical choices include coated non-wovens and vinyl or vinyl-coated papers, which handle fingerprints, food and the occasional marker better than uncoated paper or grasscloth. Natural grasscloth looks beautiful but cannot be scrubbed and is easily picked at by small fingers, so we usually suggest saving it for adult spaces.
A few installation details also help durability. Outside corners are where curious hands start peeling, so they are wrapped and pressed carefully. Seams are kept tight and clean. In a high-traffic kids' room, papering above a chair rail or wainscot keeps the lower wall, which takes the most abuse, painted and easy to touch up.
How easy is nursery wallpaper to remove later?
Nursery wallpaper is easiest to remove later when you pick a strippable product and the wall was primed with a wallcovering primer before installation. That combination lets the paper release from the wall in sheets without tearing the drywall.
- Strippable non-woven: typically pulls off dry in full strips, leaving little residue to wash off.
- Peelable: the face layer peels off, leaving a backing that must then be soaked and removed or prepared for new paper.
- Traditional paper and vinyl: usually needs scoring, soaking and scraping, which takes longer.
- Peel-and-stick: removable by design, though it can pull off paint on some walls. See our comparison of peel-and-stick vs traditional wallpaper.
Primer is the step people skip and regret. Paper hung directly on unprimed drywall can bond to the paper face of the drywall, and removing it later means repairs. Proper wall preparation now makes the next change quick.
What should you do to get the nursery ready for install day?
Have the room empty or furniture pulled to the center, finish painting trim and ceilings beforehand, and keep the rolls in the house so they can adjust to room temperature. A short list:
- Move the crib and other furniture out of the room if possible.
- Paint the ceiling and trim first, so the paper finishes cleanly against them.
- Make sure all rolls are the same batch or dye lot, and leave them unopened until we check them.
- Plan for the room to stay ventilated for some time after we finish.
- Keep pets and older siblings out while work and cleanup are underway.
Our guide to installation day covers the rest of the process.
Book a free on-site nursery estimate
Wallpaper Installer Seattle comes to your home to measure the nursery, check the walls, talk through accent wall and full-room options, and confirm your roll count before you order. Estimates are free and written, and we reply within 24 hours. Call or text (425) 500-6842, email seattlewallpaper@gmail.com, or request your free estimate, and we will help you get the room finished well before your due date.
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Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I wallpaper a nursery?
Aim to finish at least several weeks before your due date. That gives the adhesive and primer time to cure, lets the room air out, and leaves time to set up furniture. Contact an installer early so measuring and ordering do not become the bottleneck.
Can I be in the house while the nursery is being wallpapered?
In most cases yes, especially with low-VOC primers and pastes, though it is sensible to keep the door closed and the room ventilated while work is underway. If prep will disturb old paint in a home built before 1978, pregnant family members should stay away until it has been tested and handled safely. Ask about any specific product's label if you have concerns.
What is the best wallpaper for a toddler's room?
A washable or scrubbable coated non-woven or a vinyl-coated paper is a practical choice for toddlers. These handle fingerprints and quick wipe-downs far better than uncoated paper or grasscloth. Papering above a chair rail can also keep the most-touched part of the wall painted.
Is peel-and-stick a good idea for a nursery?
It can be, especially for renters or a short-term accent wall. Quality varies, seams can lift over time, and some products pull paint when removed. A strippable non-woven hung with paste is usually more durable and still comes off cleanly.
Can a crib go right against a wallpapered wall?
Yes, once the paste has cured. Leave a small gap so the crib does not rub the paper, and keep cords and any loose decor out of reach as standard nursery safety practice. A washable paper is helpful on the crib wall.
Should I choose a theme or something more neutral?
Many parents choose a timeless pattern on the walls and put the stronger theme in bedding, art and toys, which are easy to change. Soft botanicals, landscapes, stripes and gentle animals tend to grow well with a child. A themed mural on one wall is a middle ground that is easy to replace later.
