• Sailboat imagery adds a nautical touch to a nursery.sailboat image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
  
  A nautical theme for a nursery allows you the opportunity to experiment with materials and items that wouldn't traditionally be used in a baby's room. Nautical nurseries can be customized to suit either boys or girls, or they can be left gender-neutral. As you plan your nursery decor, consider the items that will be both functional and beautiful during the first year of your child's life.
  
  

Boat Shelving

• One way to add a touch of the sea to a nursery while creating additional space for display or storage is to use part of an old boat as shelving. For a rustic, weather-beaten look, search antique stores or even the classifieds section of your local newspaper to find an old wooden rowboat or canoe. Starting from the bow, measure the height that will fit in your nursery, and use a hand saw to cut the boat in two at this point. Add cross-supports to act as shelving, and hang on the wall where it will be out of reach once your child starts crawling. If you do not have the tools or skills to build shelves, you can also purchase shelving that looks like a boat.
  
  

Star Details

• To evoke imagery of navigating by the stars, use star accents around the nursery. You might stencil white stars onto colored walls above your baby's crib, or paint the constellations on the ceiling. For a star-based shape that evokes images of navigating at sea, use the compass rose as a decorating theme, either by painting it on a wall or ceiling, or by framing a paper reproduction.
  
  

Colors

• By using blue and white in your nursery, you can create the feeling of ships at sea. For an elegant nursery, paint the walls a deep shade of blue and use white furniture, carpeting, ceiling paint and accessories to accent the space and keep it from being too dark. For accent pieces, look for blue and white striped baskets, curtains, or pillows to add a more formal sense of seafarer's clothing and patterned sails. If you'd like to bring in an additional color, look for a few bright-red accents to spread around the room; even a single painting of a sailboat with red sails will add depth to your design.
  
  

Nautical Accessories

• Use decor elements that are reminiscent of the sea to complete your nautical nursery design. You might frame an ocean chart to hang on the wall, or find a carved and painted wooden seagull to sit atop a shelving unit. To add light and a touch of the sea, look for a lamp with a ship's wheel or anchor base. In the crib, you can use bedding printed with sailboats and ships, and find a hanging mobile decorated with tiny model boats. Complete the look with decor incorporating sea horses, starfish and other sea creatures.