Ocean Ideas for Baby's Nursery

New parents often decorate nurseries in a themed fashion, which makes choosing furniture, paint and decor somewhat easier. Though most people can't afford a house with a nursery that boasts a view of the ocean, a few thoughtful decorating choices can create a seaside mood in the nursery without dropping millions of dollars on real estate. Does this Spark an idea?

Wave Bottom Border

Bright, stylized waves are playful yet sophisticated.

Paint a wave border along the bottom of every wall in the nursery. This both ties the room together visually and evokes the boundless ocean. The border can be small, suggesting the kind of waves that surfers call "ankle-slappers," or it can reach halfway up the wall. Paint the upper portion of the wall a complementary color, such as baby blue, pastel yellow or eggshell white. Hire a professional muralist if your painting skills aren't up to par. Try not to make the waves look too juvenile. That way, you won't have to repaint if you want to repurpose the room in a few years. A Sheffield School of Interior Design article lauds a nursery that has "a touch of sophistication to make it appealing to even the most discerning Auntie Mame."

Ocean Soundtrack

Wave noise sounds somewhat like radio static.

Play sound recordings of ocean waves as a natural, soothing white noise in the nursery. Such noise may help the baby sleep and creates the auditory illusion that the ocean is nearby. Many compilations of ocean sounds are available for purchase. Alternately, assemble your own compilation with recordings tagged "ocean" from The Free Sound Project.

Surfboard Changing Table

A longboard table provides room for diaper changing, folding laundry and holding books.

Convert a longboard into the top surface of a changing table if you're handy with tools. Take caution and wear a mask when drilling into a surfboard, as the dust from surfboard epoxy and foam may pose a health hazard. For a safer and probably cheaper option, cut out a surfboard shape from a piece of wood. Sand, paint, and seal it. Let it sit outside, sheltered from the elements, for a day or two to allow any paint and sealant odor to dissipate.