When you're decorating a nursery, everything gets scrutinised a little more carefully. The paint. The mattress. The washing powder. So it makes complete sense that wall stickers end up on the list too, especially when you're putting them in the same room where your baby will sleep, play, and spend a lot of their early life.
Nursery wall stickers are generally very safe, and for most parents who do a little reading beforehand, they become one of the easiest and most satisfying parts of decorating a baby's room. Here's what you need to know.
What are nursery wall stickers made from?
Most wall stickers, including all of ours at Nutmeg, are made from self-adhesive vinyl. It's the same material used in everything from signage to vehicle graphics, and it's been around long enough that its properties are well understood.
The vinyl itself is a thin, flexible film with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. When applied to a smooth, clean surface it bonds without nails, screws, or any wet application, which is part of what makes it so parent-friendly.
The key thing to look for is whether the product has been tested for safety. In the UK and EU, products intended for use in homes, particularly children's environments, should comply with REACH regulations, which restrict the use of harmful chemicals in materials. Reputable suppliers will be able to confirm compliance.
At Nutmeg, our designs are printed using Roland ECO-SOL MAX inks, an eco-solvent ink that carries GREENGUARD certification. GREENGUARD is an independent certification that tests products against strict chemical emission standards, so when you see it on a product used in your home, you can trust it has been properly evaluated. It matters particularly in enclosed spaces like nurseries, where air quality is something parents rightly think about.
Are wall stickers non-toxic and safe for babies?
Yes, when sourced from a responsible supplier, wall stickers are non-toxic and safe for use in a nursery. The materials involved don't off-gas in the way that some paints or lacquers can, and once applied to the wall they're essentially inert.
A few things worth knowing:
Once applied, they don't release chemicals into the air
The adhesive is contact-based, it's only activated by pressure, and once it's on the wall it stays put without any ongoing chemical reaction.
They're not a chewing hazard in the way that small toys are
Wall stickers are designed to be applied high enough that they're out of reach, and the material isn't something a baby could easily pull off and swallow without significant effort.
The bigger risk is placement, not the material itself
More on that below.
If you're buying from any supplier, it's always worth asking whether their products are REACH-compliant and whether the inks are water-based or solvent-free. If a supplier can't answer that, that tells you something.
What about the adhesive? Will it damage the walls?
Removable wall stickers use a repositionable adhesive that's designed to come off cleanly without damaging emulsion paint. It's worth noting a few practical points here.
New paint needs time to cure before you apply anything to it. If you've just painted the nursery, wait at least three to four weeks before putting stickers up, this gives the emulsion time to fully harden and means the sticker will come off cleanly later without pulling the paint with it.
The surface should be clean and dry before application. Any dust, grease, or residue will affect how well the sticker bonds, and can also affect how cleanly it removes later.
When it's time to take them down, whether you're redecorating, moving, or your child has simply decided they're too old for the butterflies, removable stickers should peel away without leaving residue or marks. Warm the vinyl slightly with a hairdryer on a low setting if you're finding it resistant, and peel slowly at a low angle rather than pulling straight off the wall.
Where should you place wall stickers in a nursery?
This is where positioning matters more than the material. The safest approach is to treat the cot as a clear zone.
Keep stickers away from directly above the cot
Not because the stickers themselves are dangerous, but because you don't want anything on the wall at a height or position where, in the unlikely event it detached, it could fall onto a sleeping baby. This is standard advice for any wall decoration in a nursery, from framed prints to hanging mobiles.
A good rule of thumb: nothing directly above where the baby sleeps, and nothing at cot-rail height that a baby could reach and pull at once they become more mobile.
The best spots for nursery wall stickers are:
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The wall behind or beside the cot, above a safe height
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A feature wall opposite the cot, visible from the cot without being directly overhead
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The alcove or wall near a changing area
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Around a window, or along a wall where a reading corner will eventually go
Scallop border stickers work particularly well running along the top third of the wall, well above cot height, they frame the whole room without ever being in a zone that needs thinking about from a safety perspective.
Our nursery wall stickers collection includes designs specifically sized and styled for this kind of placement, so it's easy to visualise how they'll sit in the space before you order.
Why removable designs are worth it in a nursery specifically
A nursery is one of the rooms in a house that changes fastest. What works for a newborn looks completely different from what a toddler wants, and toddler tastes change again almost before you've had time to update anything.
Removable wall stickers mean you're not committed. You can put up a soft, dreamy nursery scheme for the early months and swap it out for something bolder and more playful when your child starts pointing at things and having opinions. No repainting, no filler, no fuss.
They're also a better option than some alternatives, painted murals are beautiful but permanent, framed wall art needs hooks and fixings, and wallpaper borders can be a real pain to remove cleanly. A quality removable sticker hits the middle ground: visual impact, flexibility, and no regrets.
Frequently asked questions
Are wall stickers safe if a baby touches them?
Yes. Once applied to the wall, the adhesive is no longer active, it's bonded to the surface. A baby touching or even pressing against the wall where a sticker is applied won't be exposed to any adhesive.
Can I put wall stickers directly behind the cot?
You can, provided the stickers are applied above the top of the cot and not in a position where they could fall onto your baby. The wall behind the cot is actually one of the nicest spots visually, just keep stickers in the upper half of that wall.
Do wall stickers smell?
Good quality vinyl stickers have minimal odour, and any faint smell from the adhesive dissipates quickly after application. If you're sensitive to smells or want to be cautious, apply stickers a day or two before the baby uses the room and air it well.
Will they damage rental property walls?
Removable stickers are generally renter-friendly, but always check your tenancy agreement. Applied correctly to cured emulsion, they should come off without leaving a mark. Avoid applying to freshly painted walls, feature wallpaper, or any surface that isn't a standard matte or eggshell emulsion.
What if my toddler tries to peel them off?
It happens. The good news is that a toddler peeling off a wall sticker creates a mess more than a hazard, the material isn't toxic if handled. If sticker-peeling becomes a sport, consider placing your most loved designs higher up where little hands can't quite reach.
How long do nursery wall stickers last?
Most quality vinyl stickers will stay looking good for several years under normal conditions. Avoid direct, prolonged sunlight (which can cause fading) and high humidity environments. A nursery with normal light and ventilation is a perfectly good environment for them to last well.
If you're ready to start decorating, take a look at our nursery wall stickers, from soft florals and animals to personalised name designs, everything is made to be easy to apply and kind to your walls.
And if you're still in the planning stage, our guide to choosing the right wall stickers for your child's room covers sizing, placement, and how to layer designs for a more finished look.
All Nutmeg wall stickers are made from self-adhesive vinyl and are designed for safe use in domestic environments, including nurseries and children's rooms.