sad beige baby

What Is a “Sad Beige Baby?” and Ideas to Join the Beige Parenting Trend

Written by: Alyssa Larsen

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Time to read 7 min

If you’ve spent time in parenting circles on social media, you’ve likely seen the rise of the beige aesthetic in baby nurseries, clothing, and toys. The beige parenting trend has become a hot topic among parents, especially regarding how this neutral color fad impacts children.


• Are parents following the beige trend just to get an Instagram-worthy photo?

• Are there actual benefits to designing a nursery in neutral tones?

• Does a muted color palette hinder a baby’s development? 


We’ll explain.

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What Is the “Sad Beige Baby” Trend?

Over the past few years, more parents have been choosing neutral colors, like beige, gray, and muted earth tones as the color palette for their baby’s clothes, toys, and bedroom decor. The rise in popularity is likely due to what we’ve seen in so many social media influencers' homes.


The Sad Beige Baby term stems from the viral videos posted by Hayley DeRoche on her Tiktok account, “That Sad Beige Lady”. DeRoche uses humor with her imitation of German filmmaker Werner Herzog to give commentary on the beige trend that some influencers and companies are promoting. 


Videos like these have sparked a lot of debate between social media users as to what kind of colors and aesthetics are best for babies and children.


Some self-proclaimed “beige moms” have defended the trend with reasons like:


  • Gender-neutral clothes and nursery decor provide hand-me-downs suitable for future children whether boys or girls.

  • Natural and organic products are often in shades of beige, like unpainted wooden toys and unbleached, undyed cotton clothing.

  • Creating and maintaining a minimalist lifestyle is associated with light shades of “clean colors” like white, gray, and beige.

  • Neutral colors are soothing to parents in the midst of kid chaos.

BEIGE SAD NURSERY

Tips and Ideas for Creating a Beige Aesthetic Nursery for Your Baby

If a gender-neutral or beige nursery speaks to you, we can help you achieve the look you want while creating an inviting space where you and your baby will love to spend time together. 

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Start with White Walls

A white backdrop in your baby’s room gives you a blank slate in a neutral nursery. Furniture and wall hangings in muted tones will become the focal points of the room.

Include Textures

A beige nursery may not be diverse in color, but a variety of textures will give the room personality. Incorporate an upholstered ottoman next to a wooden bookshelf, add a fluffy throw blanket on the arm of your chair, or store toys in a braided basket.

Less Is More

Part of the beige aesthetic trend is taking a minimalist approach to decorating . Use everyday items as decor pieces, like a few toys, books, or folded blankets on open shelves.

BEIGE NURSERY

Much of the appeal of a beige nursery is in the organic ambiance. Parents like to know their baby is in a healthy environment . Nurture& offers non-toxic nursery furniture that compliments the beige aesthetic of your room and is safe for your baby.


Consider these essential pieces when building your baby’s nursery:

The Glider

In a warm ivory white , The Glider is a cozy seating option in your neutral nursery. The power recline will help you get comfortable while cuddled up with your baby and the stain-resistant fabric makes it easy to maintain a clean room.

The Boucle Glider Plus

This chair will add an element of texture to your space. The Boucle Glider Plus fits a neutral color palette well and is a practical piece made of premium materials to withstand daily use.

The Dresser

This piece of furniture brings optimal storage space into the nursery with a simple, yet modern look. You can find The Dresser in white or a natural wood color for your baby’s room.

The Crib

In a two-toned style of natural and white, our Crib will add dimension to your beige nursery. This crib is convertible and can be turned into a toddler bed as your little one grows.

The Daybed

With ivory-colored upholstery, The Daybed will blend well with a neutral theme. The versatile daybed provides extra seating or sleep space in your room for family story time or guest sleepovers.


Choosing neutral nursery furniture is an investment in pieces your family can use for years to come. White, gray, and beige colors give you the ability to easily adapt to changing trends without buying new furniture. You can add pops of color or patterns with accessories and incorporate your child’s preferences as they get older.

Can a Color Palette Affect the Development of Babies?

Much of the debate over the “sad beige baby” trend is whether it affects a child’s development. The American Optometric Association (AOA) notes that newborns up to four months old have very limited vision with most of their focus on objects within eight to 10 inches of their face. Although clearer eyesight evolves quickly in the first few months of life, babies don’t develop adequate color vision until around five months old .


The AOA recognizes that highly contrasted objects may catch a baby's attention more easily, but the recommendations for how parents can assist in proper infant development are concentrated on interactions with caregivers and keeping age-appropriate toys within reach rather than a specific color palette .


While lack of color diversity doesn’t seem to be detrimental to the physical development of vision, we also know how exposure to various colors can have mental and emotional effects on children.


Bold colors like yellow and orange might encourage playfulness and exploration, while darker shades like navy blue and forest green may be calming and promote rest. Everyone—children and adults—responds differently to the colors in their environment. Sometimes we may feel bored in a room of neutral tones or overwhelmed when surrounded by bright colors.


Like most things in life, moderation is key.

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Is the “Sad Beige Baby” Aesthetic Harmful to Babies?

Beige doesn’t mean bad. The beige trend doesn’t have to be “sad” as it’s depicted by some. A beige nursery can contribute to the wellness of your child. A room with a neutral theme can aid in relaxation and quality sleep .


Babies and toddlers can be sensitive to brightness and noise, and a low-stimulation environment can help them to rest and recharge. A beige aesthetic can benefit parents in the same way. Your demeanor has a great influence on your child. If you feel calm and comfortable in the nursery, so will your baby.


During the first year of your child’s life, your preference for room style and decor is most important in the nursery. Create a space that works for your family and is a room you want to spend time in.


A beige-colored nursery isn’t for everyone. Whether you prefer a lot or a little bit of color in your home, you can find furniture from Nurture& that fits your style. Include a pop of color with The Crib in sage, navy, or blush. The Daybed is another piece that offers personalization with 12 color combinations.

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FAQs

Do you still have questions? We have answers.

When Do Babies Start Seeing Colors?

Around three to four months old, babies begin to respond to different colors. By six months old, the complete color spectrum is visible as your baby’s eyesight rapidly improves.

Is the “ Sad Beige Baby ” Trend Related to the Montessori Method?

While the Montessori method of learning has some similarities to the beige trend, the two aren’t directly related. Since the Montessori method uses a self-led and natural consequences approach, many of the learning resources have a minimalistic style and natural elements that compliment the beige trend. 


The term “sad beige baby” comes strictly from an aesthetic outlook on the current fad, not from a form of education.

Do Babies Need Stimulating Colors for Brain Development?

High-contrast colors and patterns are easier for babies to focus on and encourage further visual development. This doesn’t mean that everything surrounding your baby needs to be contrasting for them to develop properly. A mix of stimulating and neutral colors and objects provides a good balance of exposure for your little one.


When it comes to trends, not everyone will agree. Those who do still won’t go about it exactly the same way. The “sad beige baby” trend is no exception. There are many ways to support and encourage your baby’s health and growth. The color of your baby’s clothes or bedroom won’t make or break your child’s development, so if neutral tones appeal to you, go ahead and create your dream beige nursery and be a proud “sad beige parent.”


You can find more tips on nursery design and practical advice written for parents, by parents in the Nurture& Journal . While you’re here, check out more of our premium furniture to start styling your nursery today!

Alyssa Larsen

Alyssa Larsen

Alyssa Larsen is a stay-at-home mom with a passion for writing. Before starting her career as a freelance writer, Alyssa devoted all of her time to her family and raising her young children. The evolution of her motherhood journey and parenting experience inspires her work. She strives to always tell a story that is helpful and relatable to the person reading it. Alyssa lives in Ohio with her husband and four hilarious kids.