15 DIY Nursery Wall Art Ideas (Easy & Affordable)

Decorating baby's nursery is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new arrival. But between furniture, clothes, and gear, the budget can get tight fast.

Good news: you don't need to spend hundreds on nursery wall art. With a little creativity, you can create beautiful, meaningful pieces that make the space feel special and personal.

Here are 15 DIY nursery wall art ideas that anyone can do - no art degree required.

Getting Started: Basic Supplies

For most of these projects, you'll need:

• Frames (thrift stores are great for cheap frames)
• Cardstock or nice paper
• Printer (for printable art)
• Basic craft supplies (scissors, glue, tape)
• Command strips for hanging

Now let's make some art!

1. Baby Footprint Art

The most personal art you can create - using baby's own footprint.

How to do it:

• Use non-toxic ink or paint to capture baby's footprint
• Print on nice cardstock
• Add baby's name, birth date, or a special quote
• Frame and display

Take it further: Turn the footprint into custom products like canvas prints or onesies using services like MyBabyPrints.

Why we love it: This is truly one-of-a-kind art that captures a moment in time.

2. Free Printable Quote Art

Hundreds of free nursery printables exist online - just print and frame!

Where to find them:

• Pinterest (search "free nursery printables")
• Etsy (many sellers offer free samples)
• Canva (create your own with templates)

Pro tip: Print on cardstock or matte photo paper for best results.

3. Custom Name Sign (Paper Cut Style)

Create a 3D name sign using layered paper.

How to do it:

• Cut baby's name from cardstock in a large font
• Layer over contrasting background paper
• Add foam squares between layers for depth
• Frame in a shadow box

Cost: Under $10 with supplies from the dollar store.

4. Fabric in Frames

Use coordinating fabric scraps as instant art.

How to do it:

• Find fabric that matches your nursery theme
• Stretch over cardboard cut to frame size
• Secure with tape or staples on back
• Pop into frame - done!

Best for: Creating a cohesive set of matching art pieces.

5. Pressed Flower Art

Simple, elegant, and nature-inspired.

How to do it:

• Press flowers in a heavy book for 2-3 weeks
• Arrange on cardstock
• Use thin glue dots to secure
• Frame under glass

Meaningful twist: Use flowers from your baby shower or birth month flower.

6. Constellation Map

Create a map of the stars on baby's birth date.

How to do it:

• Use a free star map generator online (stelvision.com)
• Enter baby's birth date, time, and location
• Print on dark paper with white/gold stars
• Add baby's details underneath

Why it's special: Completely unique to your child.

7. Washi Tape Gallery Wall

No damage to walls, easy to change as baby grows.

How to do it:

• Print family photos or art
• Create "frames" using washi tape directly on the wall
• Tape prints inside the washi frames
• Mix sizes and shapes for interest

Best for: Renters or anyone who doesn't want to commit to nail holes.

8. Letter Board Messages

Classic and changeable as baby grows.

How to do it:

• Get a letter board (Target, Amazon, craft stores)
• Change messages for photos and milestones
• Display on a shelf or hang on wall

Message ideas:

• Birth stats
• Monthly age updates
• Funny quotes
• Song lyrics from nursery rhyme

9. Minimalist Line Art

Simple, modern, and easy to DIY.

How to do it:

• Google "minimalist line art [animal]" for inspiration
• Copy design onto white paper with fine black marker
• Use a lightbox or window for tracing
• Frame with lots of white space

Popular subjects: Elephants, bunnies, moons, mountains, flowers.

10. Photo Collage Letters

Turn photos into a letter shape.

How to do it:

• Cut large letter from cardboard (baby's initial)
• Print photos small (4x6 or smaller)
• Mod Podge photos onto letter, overlapping edges
• Seal with another coat of Mod Podge

Cost: Just the cost of printing photos.

11. Hand-Painted Canvas

Even non-artists can create simple, beautiful canvas art.

Easy patterns anyone can do:

• Geometric shapes with painter's tape
• Ombre gradient (blend wet paint)
• Abstract brush strokes
• Polka dots with round sponge

Tip: Choose 2-3 colors that match your nursery palette.

12. Map Art

Mark meaningful locations on a map.

How to do it:

• Print or buy a map poster
• Mark significant places with hearts or pins:
• Where parents met
• Where baby was born
• Grandparents' locations
• Add small labels or legend

13. Felt Animal Heads

Trendy 3D animal busts - DIY version.

How to do it:

• Find a pattern online (or wing it!)
• Cut shapes from felt
• Stuff with poly-fil
• Hand-stitch closed
• Attach to a small canvas or embroidery hoop

Popular animals: Fox, deer, bear, unicorn.

14. Sonogram Art

Turn ultrasound photos into art.

How to do it:

• Scan your ultrasound at high resolution
• Enlarge and print on nice paper
• Add text below: "First Photo" with date
• Frame in a simple black or white frame

Variation: Create a before/after with sonogram next to newborn photo.

15. Typography Growth Chart

A practical piece of art that tracks baby's growth.

How to do it:

• Paint or stain a long wooden board
• Add measurement marks with paint pen
• Include baby's name at top
• Mark heights with dates as baby grows

Tip: Make it removable so it can move with you.

Display Tips for Nursery Art

Creating a gallery wall:

• Use odd numbers of pieces (3, 5, 7)
• Mix sizes and frame styles
• Keep 2-3 inches between frames
• Start with largest piece, arrange others around it

Hanging art safely:

• Use command strips for lightweight pieces
• Secure heavy frames with wall anchors
• Never hang anything directly over the crib
• Make sure art is securely fastened (no falling risk)

The Most Meaningful Art

While all of these projects are fun, the most cherished nursery art tends to be the most personal:

• Baby's footprint - Captures their exact size
• Custom details - Name, birth date, weight
• Family photos - Your faces are their favorite view
• Handmade items - Made with love, even if imperfect

You don't need expensive art or professional skills. The best nursery art tells your baby's story.

*Want to turn your baby's footprint into professional-quality art? At MyBabyPrints, we transform footprint photos into beautiful canvas prints, onesies, and blankets. Just upload a photo and we'll do the rest.*