We recently revealed that we’ll be designing a Young House Love nursery—only this time it’s not for us. We’re thrilled to help John’s sister Emily create a cheerful, functional room for her baby boy, due this October. As usual, we’re focused on affordable, do-it-yourself solutions, and we’ll be sharing our process and ideas as the project unfolds. The very first step in transforming Emily’s blank guest room was getting some paint on those bare walls.
Rather than stopping at a single coat of pale blue-gray, we decided to make a bolder statement by painting modern, playful vertical stripes. The goal was to create something that feels upbeat and youthful while still remaining clean and contemporary—perfect for a nursery that can grow with the child.
The whole stripe treatment was a one-evening project: pick the color palette, tape the wall, paint the stripes, and peel the tape. It’s an easy and fast way to add a lot of visual interest with minimal cost and time investment. The technique works especially well in a nursery because it adds personality without overwhelming the space.
We started by narrowing down four accent colors to work with on top of a neutral base. Choosing complementary tones that read well together in different lighting was key. Once the colors were selected, we applied painter’s tape to mark out vertical stripes of varying widths and spacing. The randomness was intentional—some wide bands, some narrow—so the result would feel casual and modern rather than formulaic.
With the tape in place, we painted each stripe using one of the chosen accent tones. Because the stripes are different sizes and placed irregularly, the overall effect is lively but still balanced. After the paint dried we carefully removed the tape to reveal crisp, clean edges. The stripes look perfectly straight in person; any bowing you might notice in photographs is just the camera lens distorting perspective.
We documented the painting process with a step-by-step video that shares more details about how we prepped the walls, applied the tape, and carried out the painting. The footage also includes specific paint color information for those interested in recreating the look. (You can find the video on YouTube if you want to watch the full walkthrough.)
Practical budgeting was part of this phase. For the stripe treatment we purchased one gallon of wall paint plus three small cans of the accent colors; we already had white paint available on hand. The total cost for this phase came to just $39, which gave the room a completely new look for very little money. Since we’ll use the leftover paint for additional DIY details in the nursery, the value of that $39 goes even further across the rest of the makeover.
To give you a sense of the bigger vision, we also pulled together a small selection of bedding and upholstery options that work with the stripe palette. Choosing fabrics and textiles that complement the wall colors helps tie the room together and creates a cohesive, finished look. Small details—like patterned crib sheets, a soft rug, and a comfy chair—will layer in texture and warmth to make the space inviting for both baby and parents.
Those little elephant motifs in the bedding samples are especially adorable and add a touch of whimsy without feeling overly themed. We love nursery elements that are playful yet versatile, so the room can evolve as the child grows.
We’ll be tracking costs and progress as we continue this nursery makeover and sharing updates along the way. If you’re planning a nursery refresh yourself, a striped accent wall is an easy, budget-friendly option that delivers big visual impact. What about you—any babies on the way or nursery projects you’re working on? We’d love to hear about your plans, inspirations, or any decorating tips you’ve picked up along the way. Spill the bun-in-the-oven beans and tell us what you’re excited about.