Nursery wallpaper installation goes best when it is finished several weeks before the baby arrives, so primer and paste can dry fully and the room can air out. Choose a washable or scrubbable paper, ask for low-VOC primers and adhesives, and start with a wallcovering primer so the paper comes off cleanly when the child outgrows the design. WallpaperCraft Pro installs nursery and kids' room wallpaper from its Bellevue, WA base across Seattle and the Eastside, with free estimates.
Key takeaways
- Schedule nursery wallpaper weeks before the due date, not the last week, so the room can dry, air out and be furnished calmly.
- Ask for low-VOC or low-odor primers and adhesives, and keep the room ventilated during and after the work.
- Choose washable or scrubbable papers for kids' rooms, because fingerprints, crayons and spills are a matter of when, not if.
- An accent wall is a smaller, easier-to-change commitment than a full room and pairs well with paint or wainscoting.
- A wallcovering primer underneath is what makes future removal easy, whatever paper you choose.
A nursery is one of the most rewarding rooms to wallpaper. It is usually small, the design choices are fun, and a well-hung paper makes the space feel finished in a way paint rarely does. A baby's room also has its own priorities: timing, air quality, cleanability and the near-certainty that the design will change in a few years. Here is what to plan for nurseries in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish and nearby.
When should nursery wallpaper installation happen before the baby arrives?
Earlier than most people expect. A good rule of thumb is to have the walls done several weeks before the due date, and earlier still if the room needs repairs, skim coating or old paper removed first.
Paste and primer need time to dry fully, and new materials can carry a faint odor for a while. Pacific Northwest weather plays a part too. In our damp fall and winter months, drying can take longer, especially in older Seattle homes with plaster walls or in basement-level rooms. Always follow the manufacturer's drying guidance for the specific paper and adhesive, and ask your installer when the room can be used.
A simple nursery timeline
- Choose the paper and order samples. Order all rolls from the same batch or run number, plus extras for pattern repeat and future repairs.
- Book a free estimate. The installer measures and checks wall condition.
- Prep the walls. Remove old paper, repair dents and cracks, skim coat if needed, sand and apply a wallcovering primer.
- Install the wallpaper. A small nursery is often a one-day install once prep is done.
- Dry and ventilate. Keep air moving and hold off on soft furnishings for a few days.
- Finish the room. Set up furniture and anchor dressers and shelves to studs.
Pattern repeat has a big effect on how many rolls you need. Our guide to wallpaper pattern matching and roll counts explains why, and our article on wall preparation for wallpaper covers the prep stage.
Are low-VOC adhesives and primers worth asking for?
Yes. Many wallcovering primers and adhesives come in low-VOC or low-odor formulas, and for a baby's room it makes sense to ask for them.
Whatever products are used, good ventilation during installation and for some time afterward is the simplest, most effective step. If you or a family member is sensitive to odors, mention it when you request your estimate so the materials can be chosen with that in mind.
What kind of kids' room wallpaper is easiest to clean?
Scrubbable and vinyl-coated papers are the easiest to keep clean, followed by washable papers. Kids' walls take a beating, so check the paper's performance label, not just the pattern.
| Wallpaper type | Cleanability | Good fit for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washable paper | Gentle wiping with a damp cloth | Nurseries, low-traffic walls | Not built for scrubbing; test cleaning in a hidden spot |
| Scrubbable or vinyl-coated paper | Mild soap and a soft sponge or brush | Toddler and kids' rooms, play areas | A practical choice behind a desk or art table |
| Non-woven paper | Varies by finish; many are wipeable | Rooms you expect to redo later | Often designed to strip off dry in full sheets |
| Grasscloth, silk | Low; stains are hard to remove | Upper walls, ceilings, rooms for older kids | Beautiful, but keep them out of reach of small hands |
| Peel-and-stick | Varies; many are wipeable | Rentals, small accents, short-term looks | Can lift at seams in humid conditions or on textured walls |
If you are weighing self-adhesive options, our comparison of peel-and-stick vs traditional wallpaper goes into durability and removal in more detail.
Accent wall or the whole nursery?
An accent wall behind the crib is the most popular approach we see. It gives the room a focal point, uses fewer rolls and is easy to change later, while a full room works best with quieter, small-scale patterns.
- Choose an accent wall if you love a bold pattern, want to keep costs and future changes manageable, or plan to repaint the other walls as the child grows.
- Choose a full room if the pattern is soft, the room has awkward angles that look better unified, or you want a cozy, enveloping feel.
- Consider the ceiling. A baby spends a lot of time looking up, and a subtle pattern overhead can be charming. Our guide to ceiling wallpaper installation explains which ceilings are good candidates.
Murals in kids' rooms
Forest, map and sky murals suit children's rooms, but the panels must be hung in order on a smooth, primed wall. Our mural wallpaper installation article covers that process step by step.
Can you combine wallpaper with wainscoting or a chair rail?
Yes, and it is one of the smartest choices for a kids' room. Wainscoting, board-and-batten or a painted lower wall below a chair rail takes the scuffs and bumps, while the wallpaper above stays cleaner.
- Install and paint the trim first, then hang the wallpaper down to the rail for a crisp edge.
- Use the paper's background color as a guide for the paint color so the two halves feel connected.
- Let caulk and trim paint cure fully before papering, so paste and wet edges do not mark the fresh finish.
How do you pick a design that grows with your child?
Choose a pattern that will still suit the room at age seven, and let accessories carry the baby theme. The nursery stage is short, and a design that feels sweet for a newborn can feel babyish a few years later.
Designs that tend to age well include botanicals, soft geometrics, stripes, clouds, stars, gentle animal prints and landscape murals. Very literal baby themes are lovely but usually have a shorter life. Bedding, art and rugs are easy to swap when the child's tastes change.
"WallpaperCraft did an amazing job installing wallpaper in our kid's room. The team worked quickly and professionally — the result looks beautiful and clean. We're very happy with the outcome. Thank you!" — Elizaveta Truskova
How do you make future removal easy?
Plan for removal on day one. The most important step is a quality wallcovering primer over properly prepared walls, which keeps paste from bonding directly to the drywall's paper face or to bare plaster.
That bond is what causes torn walls and long repair jobs later. It matters in newer Eastside homes in places like Kirkland, Issaquah and Bothell, where most walls are drywall that can be damaged by careless stripping. Beyond primer, look for papers labeled "strippable" or "dry-strippable," which are designed to peel away in full sheets. Keep a leftover roll for patching. When it is time for a new look, our wallpaper removal guide explains what the process involves.
Is it worth hiring a wallpaper installer for a nursery?
Usually, yes, if the pattern is bold or the room has angles. Nurseries are small but full of windows, outlets and sometimes sloped ceilings, and every pattern mismatch shows at eye level.
A professional installer handles prep, matching and clean seams so you can focus on everything else. Families on the plateau can read more on our Sammamish and Issaquah wallpaper installer page. Wherever you are in our service area, you can request a free estimate and we will reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I wallpaper a nursery?
Aim to have the wallpaper finished several weeks before the due date. That leaves time for adhesive and primer to dry fully, for the room to air out, and for furniture and decor to be set up without rushing. If old wallpaper must be removed or walls need repairs first, start even earlier and follow the product manufacturer's drying guidance.
Is wallpaper safe for a baby's room?
Wallpaper is commonly used in nurseries. To keep air quality in mind, ask for low-VOC or low-odor primers and adhesives, ventilate the room during and after installation, and give it time to air out before the baby sleeps there. If anyone in the household is sensitive to odors, mention it when you request your estimate so products can be chosen accordingly.
What is the best wallpaper for a kids' room?
For most kids' rooms, a scrubbable or washable paper is the practical choice because it can be wiped clean after spills, fingerprints and crayon marks. Non-woven, strippable papers are a good fit if you expect to change the design later. Save delicate materials like grasscloth or silk for ceilings, upper walls or rooms for older children.
Should I do an accent wall or wallpaper the whole nursery?
An accent wall behind the crib is a popular choice because it creates a focal point, uses fewer rolls and is easy to update. Papering the whole room works well with soft, small-scale patterns and gives a cozy, unified feel. Your choice may also depend on budget, the room's shape and how bold the pattern is.
Will nursery wallpaper be hard to remove later?
Not if it is installed correctly. A wallcovering primer applied over well-prepared walls lets the paper release cleanly without damaging drywall or plaster. Choosing a paper labeled strippable or dry-strippable makes removal even easier. Problems usually come from paper hung directly on unprimed walls, which can tear the wall surface when the paper is taken down.
Do you install nursery wallpaper outside Seattle?
Yes. WallpaperCraft Pro is based in Bellevue and installs nursery and kids' room wallpaper throughout our 22-city service area in Washington, including Seattle, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Bothell, Renton and Tacoma. Estimates are free, and we reply to quote requests within 24 hours. Call (213) 645-9101 or request a quote online.
Planning a nursery or kids' room?
Get a free estimate for your nursery wallpaper installation, from accent walls to full murals. Call (213) 645-9101 or request a quote at wallpapercraftpro.com, and we'll reply within 24 hours.