Nursery Name Signs: A Decor Guide for New Parents

Summary:

This guide assists new parents in selecting or crafting a nursery name sign. It details choices in materials, design styles, fonts, colors, and accents, covering options like wood and canvas. The guide also compares DIY with custom orders and provides installation advice, all to help create a personal and beloved nursery space.

The nursery is not just a room. It’s the space where your baby takes some of their first naps, where you rock them to sleep, and where those late-night feedings become part of your new rhythm. If you’re a mom, you’ll be spending a lot of time in your nursery.

So, of course, you want it to feel just right. You don’t want to have to spend that much time in a space you’re not satisfied with.

And few things make a nursery feel more personal than a nursery name sign.

But with so many choices—materials, styles, fonts, colors—it can be overwhelming. Whether you're a first-time parent or a nursery decor pro, this guide walks you through every decision so you can choose (or create) the perfect name sign with confidence.

At Cherie Kay, we create high-quality art for nurseries, and we’ve got a few tips for you. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Materials for Nursery Signs

Your home should be a reflection of who you and your family are, and your nursery is no exception. The materials you choose to utilize go a long way towards creating your own unique vibe.

You can choose from a variety of materials for your sign. Each type brings its own story.

Wood

Classic. Warm. Timeless. Wood is one of the most popular materials for nursery name signs. Often, wood is used for frames, but whole signs made of wood are also a thing.

Think farmhouse. Think neutral nursery. Think classic. Wood goes with pretty much anything.

Canvas

Canvas signs are typically made from cotton or linen fabric, and they can be printed, painted, or even embroidered with your baby’s name and cute decorative elements.

Cozy. Timeless. Gentle. Canvas signs bring a soft, calming vibe—perfect for nurseries with a boho, natural, or vintage-inspired theme.

Bonus: Most canvas signs roll up easily for storage or moving later, as well as being lightweight and easy to hang.

Others

Wood and canvas are the two most common materials for nursery signs, but there are others too, such as metal and acrylic.

Acrylic is a type of plastic that lends a sleek, modern look and comes in different textures, such as frosted. Metal can come in various styles and looks, and often adds an industrial vibe.

Choosing a Nursery Sign that Fits Your Design Style

Now that you’ve picked your material, the next big question is: what vibe are you going for?

Because every nursery tells a story—and your sign should match your story.

Whimsical

Think fairytales. Think magic. Curved fonts. Light pastels. Maybe a little sparkle.

Whimsical signs work beautifully with themes like woodland creatures, rainbows, or clouds. Sometimes, whimsy nurseries include a specific storybook theme, such as Peter Rabbit, Mother Goose, or Paddington Bear.

Watercolor signs or other light, playful mediums often go well with whimsical or storybook themes.

Rustic

Think distressed wood, earth tones, and maybe some greenery tucked around the frame. A rustic nursery name sign fits perfectly in farmhouse-style homes or vintage-inspired rooms.

It says, “This space is cozy and lived in,” with a little outdoorsy thrown in.

A natural wood frame would complement a rustic theme, perhaps paired with a painting of mountains, trees, or woodland animals like bears or deer. Little boy nurseries can look really cute with rustic themes.

Boho

This is where macrame, muted colors, and hand-drawn accents come in. A boho nursery name sign should complement nature-inspired themes and neutral palettes.

If your baby’s nursery has rattan furniture or a dried flower wreath, you’re probably leaning boho. Light-colored wood and neutral watercolor signs can create a visually appealing look in boho nurseries. A simple canvas baby name sign with some nice lettering can also be a great choice.

Minimal

Sometimes, less is more. Minimal nurseries rock clean lines, neutral tones, and no clutter.

A minimal sign might use simple block letters on a white canvas base. No frills. Just simple, timeless beauty. You might find a few plants amid the simple furnishings of a minimal nursery, but probably not a lot of other decor.

At Cherie Kay, many of our clients love mixing styles—like combining a rustic wood base with modern script. Don’t be afraid to blend!

Personalizing Fonts, Colors, and Accents

Personalization is where the magic happens—where your nursery name sign becomes your baby’s nursery name sign.

Let’s talk details.

Font Selection

Fonts carry personality.

Script fonts feel elegant and soft. Perfect for a dreamy, romantic look. (Think whimsical nursery.)
Block fonts are bold and easy to read. Great for boy nurseries, gender-neutral designs, or minimal nurseries.

Handwritten fonts strike a balance between friendly and modern. You might find them in boho, rustic, or whimsical nurseries most often, but they are pretty versatile.

Want a pro tip? Mix two fonts. Use a script for the first name and a block font for the middle name underneath. It adds visual interest and balance.

Color Palettes

You don’t have to match everything perfectly—but a sign that complements the room’s palette brings it all together.

For light-colored walls, consider using a darker sign for added contrast.
For patterned wallpaper, opt for neutral tones and simple designs to avoid a busy feel.
Wood tones are naturally flexible—warm woods for cozy spaces, whitewash for lighter themes.
Choose a piece of artwork that complements your room’s color palette—for example, opt for a neutral landscape in a neutral room, and select something brighter to match a bolder color palette.

Don’t overthink it, though. Most people have at least a bit of a natural eye for what looks good, so go with your gut.

Added Accents

These are the cherry on top.

Floral embellishments work well for feminine or botanical nurseries

Animals—like foxes, elephants, or giraffes—bring in personality
Clouds, stars, or moons are perfect for gender-neutral designs
3D elements like layered wood cutouts create depth

A few little accents can make both your sign and your nursery come to life with personality and depth!

DIY vs. Custom: What’s Right for You?

You’ve seen the Pinterest boards and the DIY tutorials on YouTube. But is it worth making your own nursery name sign?

That depends on your level of artistic skill. If you have some experience and love crafting, you can easily create your own nursery sign. We’ve seen it done. However, for some people, the process can be frustrating and the result disappointing. We’ve seen that too. :)

Let’s look at the pros and cons a little more closely:

DIY Crafting

If you love hands-on projects and have the necessary tools, DIY can be a meaningful experience.

Pros:

Full creative control
Budget-friendly (in some cases)
Adds sentimental value

Cons:

Requires tools like a Cricut or scroll saw
Time-consuming (and if your baby is already here, you might not have the time!)

If you’re a confident crafter, go for it. But be honest about your time and patience.

Ordering a Custom Sign

If you are busy or don’t feel confident about your creative genius, spending the money might be worth it.

Pros:

Professionally designed and cut
Higher quality finishes
Saves time (especially during this busy season of your life)

Cons:

Slightly higher cost
Lead times may vary (especially from small businesses)

Many new parents turn to Cherie Kay for custom nursery name signs because it takes one more thing off their plate. Plus, you still get to personalize every detail—without the guesswork.

Installation Tips

You’ve got your dream sign in hand. Now what?

Let’s make sure it ends up in the perfect spot—and stays there.

Ideal Placement

Above the crib is the most common location. But…
If your crib is under a window or off-center, consider placing the sign above a dresser or changing table. Or on a blank wall–but remember to leave a few spots in your room for your eyes to rest!
Eye-level works best, typically 5 to 5.5 feet above the ground.
Try holding it up in different spots before you hang it. Tape it temporarily to test what feels right.

Safe Mounting Methods

Safety comes first—especially with anything hanging near the crib. You don’t want it falling on your child.

Sawtooth hangers or D-ring hooks are better for heavier wood pieces
Avoid nails in the drywall, especially for heavier signs. (If your man is a construction worker, he’ll tell you not to pound stuff into your drywall willy-nilly!)

If you're unsure about the weight of your sign, start with the safest option and verify the wall anchors.

Final Thoughts: Make It Personal

If you are having a baby, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time in your nursery. That’s why it needs to be a space you love!

At Cherie Kay, we know nursery name signs aren’t just décor. They are part of creating a personal, unique space that you love spending time in.

Whether you DIY it or order something custom, we hope this guide made the process simpler—and a little more fun.

At Cherie Kay, we offer a variety of signs for nurseries and more:

You’ve got this. And your nursery? It’s about to look amazing.