Measure once, love it for years
How to choose the right size for a nursery name sign
What sign size means, which sizes look right above a crib, a dresser or a shelf, and how name length changes the look.
The honest answer to “what size?” is that it depends on the wall. The good news is that there’s a simple way to know before you order.
What “size” means
Our sizes describe the length of the longest part of the sign, which is almost always the name. A 30″ sign has a name about 30 inches long. The four little pieces sit around it, so the whole arrangement on the wall is wider than the name itself.
We make 10″, 20″, 25″, 30″, 35″ and 40″.
Above a crib: 30″ or 35″
A standard US crib is about 54 inches wide. A 30″ name fills a little more than half of that, and with two pieces on each side the whole sign ends up close to the width of the crib. That keeps the sign in proportion with the crib below it.
- 30″ suits most cribs. It reads clearly from the doorway without crowding the wall.
- 35″ suits longer names, high ceilings, or a crib on a long, empty wall.
- 40″ works for very large walls or above a daybed. On a small wall it can feel heavy.
Above a dresser or changing table: 20″ to 25″
Dressers are usually 36 to 60 inches wide, and you’ll often have a lamp, a mirror, or a basket in the mix. A 20″ or 25″ sign leaves room for those things.
Shelves, doors and small spots: 10″
A 10″ sign is sweet on a bookshelf, a closet door, or as a gift for a grandparent’s house. It’s also a good size for a sibling’s room when the nursery already has the big one.
Long names and short names
Because the size is the length of the name, a short name gets taller letters and a long name gets shorter ones.
- “Leo” at 30″ has big, bold letters.
- “Alexander” at 30″ has letters about half as tall.
If you love a long name and want the letters to feel substantial, go up a size. If you have a three-letter name and a small wall, you can often go down one.
The painter’s tape test
This takes two minutes and answers the question better than any chart.
- Cut a strip of painter’s tape to the length you’re considering.
- Stick it on the wall where the name will go.
- Add a small square of tape on each side for the decor pieces.
- Leave it up for a day and look at it from the doorway and from the rocking chair.
If it feels too wide, drop a size. If it disappears, go up.
If you want the backlight
The warm LED backlight is available on 25″ to 40″ signs with our joined script fonts.
Still not sure? Send us your wall width and the name, and we’ll tell you what we’d pick. Your design proof will show the exact layout before anything is cut.