The Best Paint for Nurseries

Zero VOC, GREENGUARD Gold certified and low odor, so the nursery is safe to sleep in soon after the last coat.

Gender-neutral and calm

Soft blues

Soft greens

Warm and soft

★★★★★

"My second time using Clare and I won't go back. I'm pregnant and painted without smelling any fumes, truly low odor. My father visited the next day and couldn't believe it had just been painted."

Amanda D.
★★★★★

"I was unsure about trying paint online, but this brand exceeded my expectations. The color is beautiful, there's zero smell and it goes on smoothly and dries beautifully."

Shannon Y.
★★★★★

"I loved this paint. It went on so easily, dried quickly, and didn't smell like chemicals."

Carolyn
★★★★★

"Clare is fantastic. Low odor, quick drying and so easy to work with. Customer service was fantastic and my order came quickly."

Angela P.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Clare paint is zero VOC and GREENGUARD Gold certified. GREENGUARD Gold certification specifically evaluates products for use in environments with more sensitive populations, including children, and tests against more than 360 VOCs and chemicals. That makes Clare a safe choice for nurseries, children's bedrooms and playrooms where indoor air quality is a priority.

VOCs are volatile organic compounds, the carbon-based solvents in many paints that evaporate into the air during and after application and can contribute to indoor air pollution. Clare paint is zero VOC, meaning it is formulated without these solvents. In a nursery, where a baby spends most of its time, that means very low odor and a healthier indoor environment during and after painting.

Because Clare paint is zero VOC and water-based, it is low odor and rooms can typically be re-occupied sooner than with conventional paint. As a general precaution, ventilate the room while painting and afterward, and allow the paint to dry fully before moving the crib and furniture back in. This is general guidance, not medical advice; when in doubt, give the room extra airing-out time.

The best nursery paint colors are soft and restful. Warm whites like Fresh Kicks, soft blues like Nairobi Blue and Frozen, gentle greens like Greenish and Money Moves and soft warm shades like Baby Soft and Before Sunrise all suit a nursery and transition well as the child grows.

Soft blues and greens read beautifully gender-neutral, along with warm whites and gentle gray-greens. Nairobi Blue, Frozen, Greenish, Chill and Fresh Kicks are all easy, calming, gender-neutral choices for a nursery.

Yes. Because Clare paint is zero VOC and water-based, it produces very little odor during application, which is one reason parents choose it for nurseries and kids' rooms. Painting in a well-ventilated space is still recommended for sensitive individuals.

For most previously painted walls in good condition, no. Clare paint is self-priming. For bare drywall, raw wood or a dramatic color change, Clare's zero-VOC Primer is a safe, low-odor first coat that gives the best result.