Creating a Nursery on a Budget
You want the new nursery to be beautiful, bright and perfect. If you had all the money in the world, you’d spend it without a second thought. Sometimes, planning that room for your newborn is a tug between what you want and what you can afford. You don’t have to give up on your ideas just because money is tight. Creating your dream nursery on a budget is easier than you think.
Decorate With DIY Style
You’ve browsed the catalogs and done your window shopping. It’s time to put that inspiration and your creative spirit to work. Nothing renews a room like a fresh coat of paint, and it’s an affordable way to brighten up the space. Use a pretty nursery-themed wallpaper border as your finishing touch. Dress up those walls with your own DIY ideas. Take colorful images from kids’ picture books and calendars, and hang them in inexpensive frames. Add lively visual interest with dangling homemade mobiles. Wooden dowels, a little fishing line, and a collection of tiny stuffed animals are all you need. Forget about buying new curtains or dragging out the sewing machine. Drape those windows with lovely sheer fabric finished with hem tape, and you’re done.
Budget-Friendly Furniture
Used furniture is tempting, but think twice before you pick up that cute crib at the garage sale. Safety standards have really improved over the years, so older models aren’t your best choice. Instead get familiar with the features that make baby’s first bed comfortable and safe. Once you understand what you need, shop around to find your ideal crib at a discounted price. Before you buy a changing table, consider a homemade conversion. It doesn’t take much to repurpose a chest of drawers, and a fresh coat of paint will make it fit right in with your new color scheme. Over-sized wicker baskets are wonderful for extra storage, and toy chests easily do double duty as window seats with interior space to spare.
All the Affordable Extras
Decor and furniture set the tone, and special baby items and toys make your new nursery complete. A rocking chair is a favorite extra, and it’s easy to find one you can afford at a good thrift shop. The cost of blankets and crib sheets adds up, so enlist the help of fellow moms. They’ll be happy to share baby bedding they no longer use. Toys like baby bouncers are a busy mother’s best friend, and you can choose from a variety of the best bouncers while you stay within your price range. Everyone loves a baby shower, so don’t feel shy about asking for a little help. Your family and friends will enjoy pitching in, and they’ll have great ideas for you new nursery too.
When you see something you can’t afford, don’t feel discouraged. Look at it as an opportunity to come up with creative alternatives. Use your imagination to conquer your limited budget. With a little DIY magic and some smart shopping, you can have the nursery of your dreams.
Savannah Bobo, technical freelance writer, blogger, and aunt of three, loves blogging about shopping and family, and is always on the lookout for thrifty short-cuts to beautiful home accessories. From the best bouncers and rockers to soothing swings and sway seats, InGenuity by Bright Starts offers great additions to a DIY nursery made with love.
Image Credit: Flickr
