Updated March 14, 2023
Are you dreaming of creating an eco-friendly, stylish nursery for your little one?
If so, why not consider a cactus nursery theme? Of course, supplies and decorations are important when preparing a room for the newest member of your family.
But don’t forget that making it look amazing is just as essential.
A cactus-themed baby boy or girl bedroom will be perfect to foster their creativity while also adding some style to your nursery décor.
From bold colors and creative artwork to buildable furniture pieces, this article will provide plenty of what you need to know in order to design a stunning cactus nursery space that both parents and babies can enjoy!
20 Unique Ideas for a Cactus Theme Nursery
1. Paint the walls with a cactus-inspired mural or wallpaper.
When it comes to decorating a baby nursery it makes sense to start with the walls.
A cactus mural or wallpaper will give the space a fun, lively feel that your little ones can enjoy as they grow up.
If you are in a rental it can be hard to paint or wallpaper the walls, but they do make peel-and-stick wall decals that can transform any room into your dream nursery.
If you can’t do all the walls, consider doing an accent wall behind the baby’s crib.
Here are a few options we found on Etsy for cactus wall decals:
Watercolor Cactus Wall Decals Desert Wall Decals Wall
from: Etsy
Cactus Wall Decals Multicolor Vinyl Wall Decals Nursery
from: Etsy
We love these wallpaper options!
You can find adorable cactus wallpapers on Etsy and from Project Nursery.
Boho Cactus Wallpaper / Catus Wallpaper / Boho Desert
from: Etsy
2. Hang up a cactus-themed wall hanging or tapestry.
This option is great if your walls are bare, or you don’t want to commit to changing the walls.
There’s a huge selection of different cactus wall hangings and tapestries on Etsy with adorable designs.
Not only is it a great way to add some color and texture to the room, but it also gives the nursery a playful desert vibe that your little one will love.
I hung up a cactus-themed wall hanging in my daughter’s llama nursery and she loved pointing out all of the different shapes and colors.
It really helped bring the room together!
Grab your FREE printable Cactus Nursery Checklist:
3. Place a real cactus in the nursery, such as a dragon tree or prickly pear cactus.
If you’re feeling brave, you can try placing a real cactus in the nursery.
Dragon trees and prickly pear cacti are two popular options that are relatively easy to care for.
Just make sure you keep them away from curious little hands!
4. Use cacti-shaped pillows and stuffed animals to decorate the crib and chairs.
When it comes to decorating a cactus-themed nursery, there are plenty of fun and creative ideas to choose from.
Using cacti-shaped pillows and stuffed animals is one such idea that I personally love.
I remember when my friend was expecting her first child, she decided to create a cactus-themed nursery, and she used these items to decorate the crib and chairs.
The soft, plush texture of the pillows and stuffed animals added a cozy feel to the nursery, while the cactus shapes added a fun and unique touch.
It was a great way to infuse some personality and whimsy into the nursery decor, and it definitely made for a memorable and adorable space for her little one.
3 Cactus Pillow Set of 3 Cactus Pillows Cactus Nursery
from: Etsy
5. Create a cacti garden by placing succulents in decorative pots around the room.
Creating a cacti garden in a nursery is a wonderful way to add some natural beauty and tranquility to the space.
When my sister was expecting her first child, she wanted to incorporate some natural elements into the nursery decor.
She decided to create a cacti garden by placing succulents in decorative pots around the room. It was amazing how these little plants added so much life and color to the space.
She chose a variety of succulents with different textures and shades of green, which made for a beautiful and diverse garden.
What’s great about this idea is that it’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Succulents are low-maintenance plants that require very little water, making them perfect for busy parents.
Plus, they can help purify the air and add a calming vibe to the room.
Overall, my sister’s cacti garden was a beautiful and practical addition to her nursery decor, and it inspired me to incorporate more natural elements into my own home.
Classic Best Seller Succulent Arrangement 6 Square
from: Etsy
6. Hang up some framed prints of desert landscapes or illustrations of cacti on the walls.
Hanging framed prints of desert landscapes or illustrations of cacti on the walls is a great way to bring cactus nursery ideas to life.
I decorated my daughter’s nursery with some beautiful cactus wall art, and it really brought the room together.
I was making a llama-themed nursery so I chose a few prints featuring llamas in a desert landscape, which gave the room a whimsical and playful feel.
To complete the look, I added some oversized plush llamas and a boho-style mobile for a touch of color and texture.
The end result was an adorable nursery that my daughter loves.
Baby Girl Boho Cactus Nursery Walls Pink Floral Cactus
from: Etsy
7. Use natural materials like wood, rattan, and jute for furniture pieces like cribs, dressers, and rocking chairs for an earthy feel that ties into the theme perfectly!
Adding natural materials like wood, rattan, and jute to your llama nursery can give it a gorgeous earthy feel that perfectly ties in with the theme.
I recently upgraded my daughter’s nursery with some stunning wooden furniture pieces.
I chose a crib and dresser made from solid wood, plus a beautiful rattan rocker that complemented the decor beautifully.
With these pieces, the room felt much more cozy and inviting.
8. Add a custom toy box or storage box for extra baby blankets.
You can never have too much storage for your baby’s things!
Consider using wicker or bamboo baskets as storage in the nursery and baby’s closet.
You can also add a custom toy box or storage box to a cactus-themed nursery.
It is a practical and functional way to keep the space organized and clutter-free.
When my sister-in-law was designing her son’s cactus-themed nursery, she knew she wanted to have a designated space to store extra baby blankets, toys, and other accessories.
She decided to have a custom storage box made that matched the cactus theme of the room.
It turned out beautiful and brought the room together.
Custom Toy Box
from: Etsy
Photo: Maternity Comfort Solutions
9. Hang a cactus-shaped mobile above the crib for a playful touch.
What I loved about this idea was how simple and easy it was to implement.
You could easily find a cactus-shaped mobile online or at a local store, and it’s a great way to add some unique charm to your nursery without breaking the bank.
Cactus Llama Baby Mobileneutral Mobile Cactus Nursery Decor
from: Etsy
10. Use wall decals of different types of cacti to create an interesting pattern on the walls.
Wall decals are a great way to add an interesting pattern to your cactus nursery.
I recently used wall decals of different types of cacti in my daughter’s llama nursery, and it turned out so cute!
I chose a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall saguaros to small prickly pears.
The colors were bright and cheerful, adding a fun pop of color to the room.
It was so much easier than painting or stenciling the walls, and I was able to get creative with the design.
My daughter loves looking at all the different cacti on her walls, and it’s become one of her favorite parts of her nursery.
FABRIC Boho Cactus Nursery Wall Stickers / Decals Childrens
from: Etsy
11. Create a cozy reading corner with a cactus-themed bean bag chair and some books about desert animals or plants.
A cozy book corner or book basket is an inviting space for you and your baby to share the joy of reading together.
I always keep a book basket in the kid’s rooms and family room.
I keep it filled with seasonal and holiday books that I rotate out so the books stay fresh.
Though they have a few they never get tired of reading or hearing!
You can also accessorize the corner with some cute pillows or wall hangings of desert plants, birds, or animals for an extra special touch.
Check out this cute cactus bookcase from Project Nursery:
Cactus Bookcase
from: Project Nursery
12. Add some southwestern-style rugs to the floor for an extra pop of color and texture.
If you’re looking to add a bit of warmth and coziness to your cactus-themed nursery, consider adding some southwestern-style rugs to the space.
My friend recently created a cactus-themed nursery for her daughter, and she used these types of rugs to add an extra touch of color and texture to the room.
The rugs were beautifully designed with intricate patterns and bright, bold colors that really brought the space to life.
They also provided a soft, plush surface for her baby to play on, which was both comfortable and safe.
What I love about southwestern-style rugs is that they can add a sense of rustic charm and character to any space.
They’re perfect for a cactus-themed nursery because they complement the natural textures and earthy tones of the cacti and succulents.
Whether you choose a large rug to cover the entire floor or a small one to place under a rocking chair, adding a southwestern-style rug is a great way to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your nursery.
Woodland Animal Area Rug Nursery Baby Playroom Mat Animal
from: Etsy
13, Paint one wall with chalkboard paint so your little one can draw pictures of their favorite desert creatures or plants.
Adding a chalkboard wall to your cactus nursery is a great way to bring some fun and creativity into the room.
Not only can your little one draw pictures of their favorite desert creatures or plants, but they can also practice writing letters and numbers.
My daughter loved drawing on her chalkboard wall – from her favorite cacti to lizards and other animals she’s seen in the desert.
She even liked to practice counting with me on the chalkboard wall.
It’s been a great way for us to bond and have fun together!
Chalkboard paint is an easy and affordable way to add some character and color to any nursery, especially one with a cactus theme.
14. Hang up string lights around the windows or doorways for a magical effect at night.
We love fairy lights in the nursery.
They add a soft warm glow to the room and allow us to do things at night without having the super bright overhead lights on.
It helps keep the middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes calm and less stimulating for our baby.
15. Put up curtains featuring images of saguaros, prickly pears, and other types of cacti to complete the look of your nursery’s windows while also providing privacy when needed!
Don’t forget the window treatments when designing your dream nursery.
Using decorative curtains can add a pop of color while providing privacy at night.
Adding curtains with cactus prints to a nursery is a great way to bring the cactus theme to the windows and create a cohesive look in the room.
Another friend recently created a cactus-themed nursery for her baby girl, and she used this idea to complete the look of her nursery’s windows.
She chose curtains with images of saguaros, prickly pears, and other types of cacti that matched the rest of the room’s decor.
The curtains were not only functional but also added a fun and whimsical touch to the nursery.
Plus, they provided privacy when needed, which is essential for new parents.
What I loved about this idea was how versatile it was – you could choose curtains with a subtle cactus print or go for a bold and more colorful option.
Either way, they’re a great way to add a finishing touch to the nursery and complete the cactus-themed look.
16. Add some fun accessories like stuffed animals shaped like lizards or snakes, to make learning about nature even more enjoyable!
You can add a few deserts stuffed animals around the nursery to make it look even more adorable.
If you can’t change the wall color or add wallpaper because you are in a rental then you can accessorize to bring your cactus-themed nursery together.
17. Invest in a wall decal featuring an illustration of the Sonoran Desert – this will provide a beautiful way to teach your little one about the environment!
This is such a great idea!
The Sonoran desert is in the southwest United States and teeming with cacti and other desert life.
It would make an amazing backdrop for any nursery.
Sonoran Desert Photo Credit: Maternity Comfort Solutions
18. Don’t forget to hang some dreamcatchers from the ceiling for extra protection and good luck on your baby’s journey through life!
Dream catchers are an adorable addition to a baby nursery.
They are said to protect a baby’s dreams by catching bad spirits at the night.
Hanging one up can be a great way to make sure your little one is blessed with peace and tranquility as they sleep.
You can also find dreamcatchers featuring cacti, making them the perfect addition to your baby’s room.
19. Set up your diaper station before your baby arrives.
You’ll be so glad to come home from the birth of your baby and find the nursery ready to go.
Having all the diaper essentials within hand’s reach will be critical, especially at 3 AM.
I set diaper stations up in the nursery, the master bedroom, and the family room to make those first weeks at home easier.
You can get cute cacti stickers to decorate your diaper pail too!
20. Baby-proof the room from the beginning,
Babyproof from the beginning so you won’t have to worry about it if your baby is an early crawler or walker!
Make sure you grab a copy of our baby-proofing checklist so you don’t miss any critical issues!
Whatever styles and items you choose, your little one is sure to love their new cactus-themed nursery.
Decorating your darling’s nursery with a cactus theme can be a beautiful, unique way to welcome your baby into the world!
Finding just the right decorations can seem like a daunting task, but luckily there are many resources that can help you find the perfect items even for tiny nursery spaces
Start by exploring online stores, small boutiques, and antique shops, which often offer special one-of-a-kind items that would make lovely additions to your nursery.
Look for fun embroidered cactus pillows, cute wall hangings, or string art depicting desert scenes!
You may even luck out and find an amazing vintage piece that will make all of your friends comment on how creative you are.
Helpful tips for designing a baby nursery
- Choose a calm and quiet room: Select a room that’s away from high-traffic areas and noise for a peaceful environment.
- Plan furniture placement: Plan the placement of the crib, changing table, and dresser to ensure there’s enough space to move around safely.
- Create a soothing color scheme: Choose a color scheme of calming pastel shades such as blue, pink, yellow, or green that match the nursery’s theme.
- Opt for soft and adjustable lighting: Choose lighting that’s soft, dimmable, and adjustable to create a relaxing atmosphere.
- Invest in quality and safe bedding: Purchase non-toxic, breathable bedding that matches the color scheme, and a crib that meets safety standards with a firm, supportive mattress.
- Buy a comfortable chair: Invest in a comfortable chair for feeding, cuddling, and rocking your baby.
- Install baby-proofing features: Install cabinet locks, electrical outlet covers, baby gates, and other baby-proofing features to ensure your baby’s safety.
- Get organized: Purchase storage solutions such as baskets, shelves, and drawers to keep the nursery organized and tidy.
- Add sensory stimulation: Include sensory stimulation toys like mobiles, mirrors, and music players to provide visual and auditory stimulation.
- Keep it clean and allergen-free: Ensure the nursery is dust-free and allergen-free by frequently cleaning it.
- Personalize the space: Add personal touches such as photos, wall art, and toys to make the nursery feel cozy and inviting.
- Complete the nursery before your last month of pregnancy: Have the nursery put together by 36 weeks to avoid stress and unnecessary physical strain in your last month of pregnancy.
Grab your FREE Printable Cactus Nursery Checklist:
