• Fill your rain forest-themed nursery with stuffed monkeys the child will enjoy as she grows.Aidon/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  The nine months that lead up to the birth of a little one are filled with excitement and preparations. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of the preparation process is getting the nursery ready for the newcomer. Whether you're having a boy or a girl, a rain forest-themed nursery is gender neutral, playful and full of color, textures and images that will stimulate baby as he or she grows.
  
  

Rain Forest Walls

• Use the walls as a starting off point for the nursery. Green is the color most commonly associated with the rain forest, and several shades of this color will work in this themed room. Dark green evokes the feeling of lush rain forest foliage, but in a nursery you may want to choose a lighter green, like sage or a jade green, to brighten up the space. Hang decals of tropical plants, trees, vines and rain forest animals. Give the walls texture by framing them with bamboo.
  
  

Furniture

• Dark wood furniture -- such as cherry or mahogany, or those with a dark espresso finish -- works well for a rain forest-themed nursery. Use a crib featuring a slatted back that can eventually be used as a headboard for a toddler bed. A tall, dark wood dresser is ideal for storing clothing and toys; a shorter dresser also provides storage, with the top doubling as a changing table. An overstuffed arm chair or a rocking chair serves as a place to sit for late night feedings and a comfortable spot to gather for bedtime stories. Store books and toys on a dark wood book shelf.
  
  

Fabrics

• Use linens that will help create a rain forest vibe. Use leopard, cheetah or zebra print fabric for the bedding, drapes and even as a cover for a pillow on the rocking or overstuffed arm chair. You could also use fabric that features shades of green or rain forest animals like monkeys or elephants. A throw blanket made of faux fur and draped along the edge of the crib or on the back of the chair adds a lush element to the space.
  
  

Accessories

• Accessorize the room to complete the rain forest look. Hang bamboo shades on the windows. Twist green fabric and suspend it from the ceiling to create vines, from which you can hang plush monkeys. Stock a book shelf with rain forest picture books and stuffed animals. Bring a potted fern or bamboo plant into the room. Place a plush green throw rug on the floor. Introduce a living element to the space with a fish tank. Not only will the fish add to the tropical look of the space, but the aerator's bubbling noise creates soothing white noise for baby.