Lake's Dog Theme Baby Nursery

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I am sharing the best ideas and inspiration for German shepherd nursery for baby! I am so excited to be writing this blog post – it is long overdue, but great things take time!

Dreaming-up and designing a nursery is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a baby. For Lake’s room, we wanted to create a space that felt calm, timeless, and uniquely ours. We decided on a mid-century modern aesthetic with a subtle German Shepherd theme—a nod to our love for dogs and our two pups. The neutral color palette makes the room feel warm and serene, while thoughtful details and personalized touches give it plenty of character.

In this post, I’m sharing all the design choices that brought this vision to life, along with links to every piece of furniture and decor we used.

Baby Lake’s nursery is my favorite room in the house! It is a cozy, stylish haven and I absolutely LOVE how it all came together—it feels like a piece of our hearts wrapped up in one room!

Shopping List: Shop Lake’s Nursery

Baby Lenhof’s nursery is a heartfelt mix of the things our family loves and values, intertwined with precious memories. Here are the details and shopping links for everything in our neutral baby nursery.

I love spending time in our neutral baby nursery that we worked so hard on! Even before Lake was here so many incredible memories were made in that room and now more memories continue to be made every time I nurse him, change him, or practice tummy time and sitting up!

Baby Lake Lenhof’s Nursery Inspiration & Design Ideas

When my husband Caleb and I started preparing for our first baby, we poured so much love and thought into designing a nursery that felt warm, inviting, and full of meaning. It was such a special project!

We drew inspiration from our favorite things—our love of dogs (especially German Shepherds and American Akitas), mid-century modern design, and the retro charm of Mad Men. The result? A space that’s both cozy and uniquely ours.

The color palette we chose is soft and soothing: beiges, grays, warm browns, with pops of green and black. These colors are more than just calming—they’re a heartfelt tribute to my late German Shepherd, Vik. His beautiful coloring inspired the entire scheme. Losing him just weeks after learning about our pregnancy was so hard, but creating this nursery brought me so much joy. It’s a way to honor his memory while preparing for this next chapter.

One of my favorite parts of the room is our gallery wall! I carefully curated vintage magazine ads, drawings, and book pages featuring German Shepherds and American Akitas, all from the late 1930s to the early 1970s. Framing these pieces with big white mattes makes them really pop, and together they tell a story that celebrates the dogs we’ve loved so much.

german shepherd dog looking at camera — My beautiful boy, Vík.

For the furniture, I leaned into my love for mid-century modern design. Babyletto’s cribs and furniture were the perfect fit, with their warm wood tones, rounded edges, and textured materials like natural cane, boucle, and leather. These pieces feel like such a natural extension of our home! Plus, they’re made with non-toxic materials, so we know it’s a safe space for our little one. The cane-style details even remind me of the dining room chairs my parents gifted us—it’s those little touches that make the room feel extra special.

This nursery has become one of my favorite spaces in our home. It’s not just a room; it’s a labor of love, full of memories and excitement for the future. I hope it inspires you to create a space that feels just as meaningful!

Photography Credit: Me (Studio 29 Photography) and my dear friend Mo, Mo Schultz Photography

closeup of family hands — Photo Credit: Mo Schultz Photography

Why I Love Neutral Color Palette for the Baby Nursery

I am deifnitely a beige-loving gal, but that is not the only reason I chose a neutral color palette for our baby nursery. Choosing a neutral color palette for the baby nursery was a decision deeply rooted in both aesthetic and practical reasons. Neutrals, with their soft and calming shades, create a serene and peaceful environment ideal for a baby’s room. This tranquil backdrop supports the development of a soothing daily (and nightly) routine, crucial in the early stages of infancy.

Additionally, neutral colors offer unmatched versatility, effortlessly accommodating any decorative accents or themes we might decide to introduce as our child grows. The timeless appeal of neutrals means that the space can evolve with minimal adjustments, making it equally suitable for future siblings without the need for repainting or extensive redecorating. This adaptability extends beyond just the nursery’s decor; it influences how well the room integrates with the rest of our home’s mid-century modern design.

Neutral colors just work. They blend right in with your furniture and decor, pulling everything together without feeling overdone. Plus, sticking to a neutral palette means fewer updates down the road—good for your wallet and great for the planet. It’s a simple way to keep things cohesive and stay committed to sustainable, mindful living.

A Few Favorites from Our Baby Book Library

We received so many amazing books at our baby showers. Big thanks to everyone!! We had one on the east coast with my family and one here in Wisconsin with Caleb’s family. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Best Places to Buy Dog Nursery Decor

Etsy
Amazon
Pottery Barn

Lake’s Dog Theme Baby Nursery