The Complete Nursery Wallpaper Guide — Safe, Non-Toxic & Customisable (2026)
Nursery Wallpaper That Is Truly Safe
The air quality in a nursery matters more than in any other room. Olive et Oriel wallpaper is PVC-free, VOC-free, fire-rated, and breathable — meaning no harmful chemicals off-gas into your baby's room. Every design is printed on non-woven, eco-friendly material and manufactured to your wall measurements, numbered panel by panel. Whether you are building a forever nursery or a renter creating a temporary space, this guide covers safety, design, installation, and everything in between.
“There’s a sense of texture, thanks to Olive et Oriel’s Dreamy Florals mural.” — Architectural Digest, featuring our nursery wallpaper in supermodel Adut Akech’s Los Angeles home. Read the feature →
Safety First: What to Look for in Nursery Wallpaper
Not all wallpaper is made equal when it comes to children's spaces. Here is what matters:
- VOC-free — Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals that off-gas from many wallpapers and paints. Olive et Oriel wallpaper contains zero VOCs.
- PVC-free — PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a plastic that can release phthalates and other chemicals. Our wallpaper contains no PVC.
- Fire-rated — Every substrate meets fire safety standards.
- Breathable — Prevents moisture buildup behind the wallpaper, reducing mould risk in rooms where temperature and humidity can fluctuate (like nurseries).
- Non-woven, eco-friendly material — Better for your child and the environment.
Choosing Between Peel & Stick and Paste the Wall
| Situation | Best Substrate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Renting / plan to change design | Peel & Stick | Removable, residue-free, repositionable |
| Own your home / permanent nursery | Paste the Wall Smooth or Linen | More durable, professional finish |
| Nursery doubles as guest room | Paste the Wall Smooth | Durable, sophisticated finish, water resistant |
| Want tactile texture | Paste the Wall Linen | Woven linen texture adds warmth and depth |
Design and Scale for Small Rooms
Nurseries are often one of the smaller rooms in a home. The scale of your wallpaper pattern makes a significant difference in how the room feels:
- Large-scale murals work well on a single feature wall, creating a focal point without overwhelming the room
- Small-scale repeating patterns suit all four walls and make the space feel cohesive
- Open, airy designs with plenty of background space make small rooms feel larger
- Bold, dense patterns create drama on a feature wall but can close in a small room if used everywhere
Order a 48cm × 40cm sample ($4.99) to see the pattern at true scale against your nursery wall. Lighting, wall colour, and the size of the room all affect how a design reads in person.
Free Colour Customisation
Every design in our collection can be colour-customised at no additional charge. If you have a nursery palette in mind — soft greens, warm neutrals, dusty pinks — our team at Olive et Oriel can adjust the colours of any design to match. Simply email custom@oliveetoriel.com or note your colour preferences when ordering. This is particularly helpful for nurseries where you may want to coordinate wallpaper with existing furniture, bedding, or paint colours.
Measuring a Nursery
Measure the height from floor to ceiling at multiple points along the wall. Use the tallest measurement as your final height. Measure the width end to end and add 10–15cm for installation adjustments. Olive et Oriel includes an extra 10cm in height with every order, complimentary. For detailed step-by-step instructions, see our measuring guide.
Installation in a Nursery
We strongly recommend engaging a professional for installation. For peel & stick, look for a signage installer or specialist in self-adhesive wall coverings. For paste the wall substrates, an experienced wallpaper installer is ideal.
Key installation notes for nurseries:
- Turn off electricity and mask outlets with masking tape before starting
- Ensure the room is well-ventilated during installation (paste the wall) or priming (peel & stick)
- Allow paint to cure for 30 days before applying peel & stick wallpaper
- Panels arrive labelled — Panel 1, Panel 2, Panel 3 — start from the far left of the wall
Samples and Ordering
Start with a 48cm × 40cm sample ($4.99) to confirm the design, colour, and scale work in your nursery. Samples are dispatched within 2–5 business days. Full-price orders are produced in approximately 4 business days before dispatch. Browse our nursery and children's wallpaper collection for designs made for little ones. For a deeper look at all three substrate types, see our complete removable wallpaper guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I install nursery wallpaper?
Allow at least 2–3 weeks before your due date. This gives time for ordering samples, production (approximately 4 business days), shipping, and professional installation.
Can I wallpaper the ceiling of a nursery?
Yes. Ceiling installation is possible but requires a professional installer. Contact our team for advice on measuring ceiling panels.
What if I want to change the wallpaper when my child gets older?
Peel & stick removes cleanly with no residue. Paste the wall substrates can be removed with a steamer or soaking method.
