There's something about an under-the-sea room that seems to spark a child's imagination.
A pod of whales can float quietly above a crib. Sharks can swim across a big kid's bedroom. A blank playroom wall can become an entire underwater world.
And you don't need to fill the room with ocean-themed everything to make it work.
Ocean wall decals are individual removable designs that let you create your own underwater scene on a nursery, bedroom or playroom wall. Because you decide where each piece goes, the finished design can be as simple or immersive as you'd like.
Here's how to use whale and shark wall decals to create an ocean-inspired kids' room that feels playful, beautiful and completely your own.
Why Choose an Ocean Theme for a Kids' Room?
An ocean theme is wonderfully flexible because it can feel completely different depending on the child's age and how you style the room.
For a nursery, watercolour whales paired with soft neutrals, natural wood and gentle blue tones can create a calm space.
For toddlers and older children, larger whales, sharks and fuller underwater scenes can make the same theme feel much more adventurous.
Instead of buying ocean-themed furniture, bedding, lighting and accessories, try keeping the larger elements of the room relatively timeless.
Then let the walls bring the underwater world to life.
Whale Wall Decals for an Ocean-Themed Nursery
Whales work beautifully in nurseries because they're playful without necessarily making the room feel busy.
Our Whale Wall Decals feature different whale species illustrated in soft watercolour tones. Each whale is applied individually, so you're not locked into one predetermined arrangement.
You can create a small grouping above a dresser, send a pod swimming above the crib, or spread the whales across an entire feature wall.
For a larger focal point, Big Whale Wall Decals can add more scale and drama to the room.
How Should You Arrange Whale Wall Decals?
Think about movement rather than perfect spacing. Instead of lining up the whales at equal distances, vary their heights and directions. Place some closer together and give others more room.
The result feels more like whales moving through the ocean and less like a repeating pattern.
Shark Wall Decals for an Adventurous Kids' Bedroom
Some kids dream about whales. Others are firmly on Team Shark.
For those little ocean explorers, shark wall decals can turn an ordinary bedroom or playroom into something much more imaginative.
Big Shark Wall Decals work especially well when you want one stronger focal point. Position the largest shark near a bed, dresser or play area, then build the underwater scene around it with smaller elements.
For a more scattered effect, Little Sharks Wall Decals can create the feeling of a school of sharks moving across the wall.
And a shark-themed bedroom doesn't have to feel dark or intense.
Pair watercolour sharks with warm white walls, natural wood and simple bedding, and the finished space can still feel light and playful.
Can You Mix Whale and Shark Wall Decals?
Yes, and combining them can make an ocean wall feel even more interesting.
The easiest way to mix different sea creatures is to design the wall as one complete scene rather than treating each decal set separately.
Choose your largest whale or shark first. This becomes the visual anchor.
Then arrange smaller sea creatures around it, varying their height and direction as you move across the wall.
When mixing ocean wall decals, using designs with a similar illustration style and colour palette helps the individual pieces feel like one cohesive underwater scene.
And remember to leave some wall showing.
You don't need to fill every empty spot to create impact.
How to Create an Under-the-Sea Feature Wall
An ocean-themed room doesn't require four fully decorated walls. Often, one thoughtfully designed feature wall is enough to establish the entire look.
Above a Crib
For a nursery, try a softer arrangement with plenty of breathing room. A few whales floating above and around the crib can create an underwater feeling without overwhelming the space.
Behind a Kids' Bed
A bed gives you a natural focal point. Start with one or two larger ocean animals, then use smaller designs to extend the scene outward.
Around a Reading Nook
Turn a chair, bookshelf or pile of floor cushions into a little underwater escape. Concentrating decals in one area can make even a small room feel imaginative.
Across a Playroom Wall
A larger playroom wall gives you more freedom. Mix sizes, change directions and spread your sea creatures across the wall to create a more immersive ocean scene.
How to Arrange Ocean Wall Decals
A little planning can make a big difference in the finished wall.
1. Start With the Largest Sea Creature
Choose the largest whale or shark and use it as your visual anchor. It doesn't have to be centred on the wall. Try positioning it in relation to the crib, bed or furniture instead.
2. Build Outward With Smaller Designs
Once the main focal point is in place, add your smaller sea creatures. Mixing different sizes creates depth and keeps the arrangement from looking too uniform.
3. Create Movement
Imagine the animals swimming rather than sitting on a wall. Vary their direction and height. Some can swim upward, others across the wall, and a few can angle slightly downward.
4. Leave Negative Space
More isn't always better. Leaving some empty wall around your decals gives the individual designs room to stand out and can make the finished space feel calmer.
5. Design Around the Room
Work with the furniture that's already there. Let whales swim above a bed. Allow sharks to move toward a reading nook. Build the scene around windows and shelving instead of stopping the design abruptly beside them. The goal is for the ocean scene to feel like part of the room.
Ocean Nursery Colour Ideas
Blue is an obvious choice for an ocean-themed nursery, but it certainly isn't the only one. A neutral background can actually make watercolour ocean decals stand out beautifully.
Try pairing them with:
- Warm white
- Cream
- Sand and beige
- Soft grey
- Pale blue
- Muted green
- Natural wood tones
Then layer in texture through baskets, linen, wood furniture and a soft rug. This gives you an ocean-inspired nursery without making every item in the room nautical.
How to Make an Ocean Room Grow With Your Child
One of our favourite things about removable wall dĂŠcor is that a child's room doesn't have to stay exactly the same as they grow. For a baby, you might create a quiet nursery with a few whales and plenty of open wall space.
As they move into the toddler years, the scene can become more playful and imaginative. Older children may want sharks, larger designs or a fuller underwater wall.
Keeping the furniture, rug and larger pieces relatively timeless gives you more freedom to let their walls reflect whatever they're fascinated by right now.
Ocean Wall Decals vs. Ocean Wallpaper
Both can create a beautiful under-the-sea room, but the finished effect is different.
Choose ocean wall decals when you want:
- Control over where each design goes
- More open wall space
- A layout customized to your room
- A smaller ocean-inspired accent
- Flexibility around windows and furniture
- An easier way to change the room later
Choose wallpaper when you want:
- A continuous pattern
- More complete wall coverage
- A dramatic feature wall
- A more immersive look
- You can even use both.
Wallpaper on one feature wall paired with coordinating decals elsewhere can make the room feel layered and custom without repeating the exact same treatment on every wall.
Quick Tips for Installing Ocean Wall Decals
Don't start peeling just yet. First, use painter's tape to temporarily position the larger decals on the wall.
Then step back.
Look at the arrangement from across the room and from the doorway. Move things around until the overall composition feels balanced.
Once you're happy with the placement, follow the installation instructions included with your particular design.
Start with the larger elements and gradually add the smaller ones.
Most importantly, don't rush the layout. Creating your own underwater scene is part of the fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Wall Decals
How do you decorate an under-the-sea nursery?
Start with a simple colour palette and furniture you can use beyond the nursery years. Add whales or other ocean wall decals around the crib or on a feature wall, leaving enough negative space to keep the room feeling calm. Natural wood and soft textiles pair beautifully with an ocean theme.
How should I arrange whale wall decals?
Begin with the largest whale and use it as the focal point. Add smaller whales around it at different heights and angles. Avoid placing every whale in a straight line or spacing them exactly the same distance apart.
Can whale and shark wall decals be used together?
Yes. Whale and shark wall decals can be combined to create a larger underwater scene. Designs with similar colours and illustration styles will generally feel more cohesive when used together.
Are ocean wall decals good for a nursery?
Yes. Ocean wall decals can create a soft and imaginative nursery without requiring a permanent themed room. Whales are particularly suited to calmer nursery designs when paired with neutral colours and plenty of open wall space.
Should I put ocean wall decals on one wall or throughout the room?
Both approaches can work. A single feature wall creates a defined focal point, while smaller decals distributed around the room create a more immersive effect. Consider the size of the room and how prominent you want the ocean theme to be.
Can ocean wall decals be removed?
Urbanwalls removable wall decals are designed to be removed when you're ready for a new look. For best results, apply them to an appropriate, properly prepared surface and follow the recommended removal instructions.
Are wall decals or wallpaper better for an ocean-themed kids' room?
Wall decals offer more control over placement and are ideal for creating individual scenes. Wallpaper creates continuous coverage and is better suited to an all-over pattern or immersive feature wall. The right choice depends on the look you want to achieve.
Create Their Own Little Underwater World
The best part of an under-the-sea room might be everything your child imagines happening inside it. Maybe those whales are swimming toward a secret island. Maybe the sharks are exploring a hidden cave. Or maybe tomorrow there's an entirely new adventure happening on that wall.
You don't need to fill a room with ocean-themed everything to make it magical. Start with a beautiful foundation. Add whales, sharks and a little underwater imagination to the walls. Then let them take the story from there.
Explore our Aquatic Animal Wall Decals and start creating an underwater world of their own.
