Baby Shower Room Decorating Ideas

Best Baby Shower Themes of 2021

Editor's Note (August 2021): The current Covid surge and mask and/or vaccine mandates leave baby shower planning just as uncertain as before, if not more. A distanced or drive-by shower is still a special way to celebrate your new baby, and here's where you can find all the tips you need to plan a fun celebration virtually. To keep up with what the CDC is currently recommending, here's all the latest information on social gatherings.

No matter what kind of party you're having, a theme helps coordinate everything from decorations and party favors to food and games. And baby shower themes are among the most fun (though we may be a little biased).

Some baby shower themes seem to always be in style: baby jungle animals, nursery rhymes, nautical (ahoy, tiny sailor!) and classic children's books (library card invitations? yes, please) are all tried-and-true options.

Does every baby shower have to have a theme? Not necessarily. If you're not the coordinate-head-to-toe type, don't stress—not every themed party means you have to go all out. It's still thematic to just decorate in pastels or baby pink or blue. Some of the most classic baby shower decor is as simple as rattles, blocks and pacifiers. Not looking to make a big deal out of decoration? Keep it simple with your favorite color.

Another popular option is to plan the shower around one of your favorite things. Sports fan? Batter up! Music lover? Rock on! Harry Potter expert? Simply magical. What really matters is that your shower suits you as the parent(s)-to-be and has a level of thematic decor you can enjoy. (We recommend chatting with the shower host(s) about it so everyone is on the same page.)

But if you are wanting to go all out with your baby shower theme and maybe want something a little different from the classics, we've gathered some of our favorite trends.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Nursery rhymes are a classic go-to for baby shower themes, and expecting parents are all about this one lately. Moons and stars with white, gold and even touches of blue make for a serene, sophisticated look.

Bees

This might be our favorite baby shower trend right now because there are so many ways to do it! Honey, flowers, Winnie the Pooh…we love all the options that come with bees, and they're all so sweet. And with all the potential for puns, we're hoping this trend will bee around for a while.

Succulents

Succulents have been a general trend for a while now, and we love how they look as a baby shower theme. Their natural greens, light blues and dusty purples make this theme effortlessly gender neutral and visually soothing. Tiny, live succulents in funky little containers can really bring a room together. Or, if you're crafty, make some plants out of paper or yarn. Party products for the "Baby in Bloom" theme shown here can be found at Nico and Lala.

Dusty Desert Chic (Joshua Tree Vibes)

Speaking of plants, the popular "boho" theme that's been around for ages—think soft pinks, greens and creams, woven baskets and flower crowns—is getting a refreshed look in what we're fondly calling "Joshua Tree Vibes." The hues are dusty yet elegant and the plants are dry yet beautiful, and the whole theme is reminiscent of warm desert summers and vast open landscapes. While this trend is more about the expectant parent(s) looking chic than about being baby-related, we still love it as a gender-neutral option for any soon-to-arrive little one (not to mention it's very Instagrammable).

Baby-Que

Pull out the gingham and the mason jars for this backyard barbeque-inspired theme. It looks great in just about any color, whether you go for the traditional red and white, blue and white, pink and white, or any other gingham combo you want. It's a fun theme if you want to keep the party on the casual side.

High Tea

On the other hand, some baby showers call for utmost elegance, and we can't think of anything more elegant than traditional high tea. Pastel colors and floral accents, delicate china and fancy tea cups, finger sandwiches and scones and tiny desserts—everything about this trend says "posh."

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Whales

While nautical has been a popular theme for at least the last decade, whales in particular are making a splash right now. And a whale baby shower theme doesn't have to mean full-on sailor, ship and anchor if you don't want it to—waves and other marine life can be equally fun additions.

Little Cutie

What fruit isn't cute when you put a little smiley face on it? But Cuties (the California brand of clementines) have it written right there in the name, making them perfect for a bright, fun, fruity baby shower theme to welcome a different kind of little cutie. Decorate with bright orange and leafy greens and serve some mandarin salad to coordinate this delicious theme.

Baby Elephants

We're all for baby animals of any kind for a baby shower, and the current elephant trend is no exception. While animals are always a popular choice, especially when grouped together as a jungle or forest theme, baby elephants are really having their moment right now. Pair them with literally any color (though we're partial to pastels in this case), throw in some peanuts or water droplets spouting from the trunk—perfect if you're throwing a baby sprinkle—and this theme will work regardless of gender or personal style.

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