Designing a nursery is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new baby. Parents often spend weeks (sometimes months) choosing wall colors, picking out the perfect crib, and selecting accessories that feel warm, soothing, and personal. One of the most important elements of any nursery, though, is the artwork. The pictures on the walls set the tone of the room and can even influence the atmosphere in subtle ways. While there are endless options—prints, murals, or custom pieces—one option stands out for its charm, accessibility, and meaning: paint by numbers pictures.
Paint by numbers artwork has been around for decades, but in recent years it has made a comeback. Far from being a nostalgic hobby, these kits offer modern designs, soothing colour palettes, and a hands-on way to add beauty to your child’s first room. Below, we’ll explore why paint-by-numbers pictures are the perfect choice for nursery décor.
1. A Personal Touch Without Needing Artistic Skills
Not every parent feels confident about painting or drawing freehand, but many still long for personalised artwork that isn’t mass-produced. This is where paint by numbers shines.
Each kit provides numbered outlines and corresponding paints, making it simple to create a detailed image. Even someone who hasn’t picked up a paintbrush since grade school can complete a professional-looking piece. The end result is a work of art that looks polished but carries the uniqueness of being created by you.
In a nursery, this matters. Your baby’s space becomes more meaningful when it holds something you made with your own hands, even if you don’t consider yourself “artistic.” It transforms the room from simply decorated to lovingly curated.
2. Affordable Artwork That Looks Professional
Decorating a nursery can get expensive quickly. Between furniture, bedding, rugs, and baby essentials, the budget can shrink fast, leaving little for artwork. Commissioned art or framed prints often carry a hefty price tag, but paint by numbers offers a budget-friendly alternative.
For the cost of a kit, you get everything you need to complete a piece of wall-worthy artwork—canvas, paints, and brushes. Once finished and framed, your painting can look just as striking as professional art. Visitors will often assume you bought it at a boutique store, when in reality, it was a heartfelt DIY project.
This combination of affordability and high-quality results makes paint by numbers especially appealing for parents who want to create a beautiful space without overspending.
3. A Calming Project During Pregnancy or Early Parenthood
Pregnancy and early parenthood are joyful, but they can also be stressful. Expectant parents often search for relaxing hobbies that allow them to slow down and de-stress. Painting by numbers is perfect for this.
The repetitive, guided motions of filling in spaces with colour encourage mindfulness. Many people find the activity meditative, helping to quiet anxious thoughts while focusing on small, achievable steps. This calm, creative process can be particularly soothing during the nesting phase of pregnancy, when parents naturally seek comforting and purposeful tasks.
By the time the painting is finished, not only do you have artwork for the nursery, but you’ve also enjoyed hours of peaceful creative time that supports emotional well-being.
4. Designs Perfectly Suited for Nurseries
Modern paint-by-numbers kits come in a huge variety of styles and themes, many of which are perfectly suited for nurseries. Think gentle animal portraits, whimsical landscapes, dreamy skies, or soothing floral arrangements. Soft pastels or muted earthy tones can complement nursery palettes beautifully.
Parents can choose a design that aligns with the theme of the nursery—whether that’s woodland creatures, jungle adventures, or celestial dreams. Because kits come in so many options, it’s easy to find one that fits the mood you want to create for your baby’s room.
5. A Family Keepsake With Emotional Value
Perhaps the greatest benefit of painting a picture for your nursery is that it becomes more than just décor—it becomes a keepsake. Long after your child has outgrown the crib and toddler bed, the painting can remain as a reminder of their earliest years.
Imagine telling your child, “I painted this for your nursery before you were born.” That story gives the artwork emotional weight that store-bought pieces can never replicate. Some families even pass these paintings down as heirlooms, making them treasured symbols of love and anticipation.
6. Encouraging a Creative Environment
Even before they can speak or walk, babies absorb the world around them. Environments rich in art and color stimulate their developing brains and inspire curiosity. A hand-painted piece of artwork shows your child, from the earliest days, that creativity is valued in your home.
As your child grows, they may even take an interest in the painting itself. Older toddlers and preschoolers often enjoy hearing stories about how their parents created something just for them. Later, you might even do paint by numbers projects together, turning it into a family tradition that nurtures creativity.
7. Customisation and Flexibility
Another advantage of paint by numbers is flexibility. While you can stick strictly to the provided colours, you also have the freedom to modify them. Want a softer blue or a warmer yellow to better match your nursery décor? Simply substitute paint colours.
This balance of structure and freedom means you don’t have to worry about making mistakes, but you can still infuse your own personality into the piece. The final result will feel both guided and unique—a perfect reflection of parenting itself.
8. Easy to Frame and Display
Paint by numbers canvases are designed to be displayed once finished. Whether you choose a sleek modern frame or a rustic wooden one, your completed painting will instantly look like it belongs in an art gallery—or, in this case, your nursery.
Because the paintings are typically on canvas, they have a textured, authentic look that prints often lack. This gives the nursery a richer, more layered design aesthetic. Plus, hanging your own artwork gives you a sense of accomplishment every time you walk into the room.
9. A Bonding Activity for Couples or Families
Expecting parents can also complete a paint by numbers kit together. Splitting the work—one partner painting certain sections, the other filling in others—makes the finished artwork a shared creation. For some families, grandparents or siblings may even contribute, turning the piece into a collaborative expression of love for the new baby.
Later, once your child is older, painting can also become a family activity. Choosing a simple kit for kids and a more detailed one for adults is a great way to spend time together creatively.
10. Sustainable and Meaningful Decorating Choice
Finally, paint by numbers offers a more sustainable decorating option compared to mass-produced nursery prints. Instead of ordering artwork manufactured overseas in bulk, you’re creating something slowly, thoughtfully, and with purpose.
This mindful approach to decorating aligns beautifully with the values many new parents embrace—simplicity, intentionality, and meaning. In a world filled with fast décor, a hand-painted picture stands out as something deeply personal and irreplaceable.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to nursery artwork, few choices offer the same combination of beauty, affordability, personalisation, and emotional significance as paint by numbers pictures. They provide a simple way for parents to relax, create, and connect with their baby’s future space, while producing artwork that is both professional-looking and deeply meaningful.
A nursery filled with love doesn’t need expensive art pieces—it needs thoughtful touches that reflect care and intention. A paint by numbers picture does exactly that, making it an ideal choice for your baby’s first room.
