Ah, the memories (and drama) of setting up the nursery. Some people call it “nesting,” a way to show creativity in the first space a child will call their own. So, of course you want to make it as safe as possible! If I had known about these paints when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I would have used it for the entire house. That paint smell that never seems to go away? Those are mainly VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds - that not only contributes to poor indoor air quality, but depletes the ozone layer as well. Here are some innovative, safe, non-invasive paints with a stunning color palette to help your prep your baby’s room. Be sure to check about application, if it needs a primer, or anything else paint-related before you buy. Like many things green, these paints don’t come cheap, and you want to make sure it’s done right the first time!

Milk Paint - Yes, it sounds kind of, um, gross, and yes, I too have envisioned the paint smelling like a dairy product. However, The Genuine, Old-Fashioned, Home Made Milk Paint company has recreated an old-fashioned milk paint formula that is safe, durable and anything but milky. Milk paint is made from milk protein (also known as casein) and lime, (also known as calcium), plus the earth or mineral pigments. This is as natural as it gets, folks. There are no acrylics, acetates or formaldehydes in the paint to make your project unsafe. Their new Safe Paint for Walls is organic, non-toxic, zero VOC (volatile organic compounds), biodegradable, non-flammable, fast drying, comes in 20 colors and comes in powder form to mix at home.

little YOLO - The children’s line from eco-paint innovator YOLO Colorhouse features six gender-neutral colors that will brighten any infant’s room. Called the “Sprout” line of paints, YOLO contain zero VOCs, and are washable. The paints are also certified by Green Seal, a non-profit organization focusing on environmentally responsible products.

Green Planet Paints - One of the newest “high-performance, interior” eco-paints on the scene, Green Planet Paints has a colorful palette to go from your nursery to any room in your home. The paints come in eggshell, flat or semigloss, all created with mineral pigments and no VOCs. If you’re building a LEED certified home, using Green Planet Paints can earn you up to four (4) LEED points. You may have to just repaint your whole house!