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 You don't have to spend a fortune to create a fun and wonderful baby's room. Pull all the elements together without breaking the bank.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Planning Time
Here's How:
The first thing is to think "SAFE." Be sure to check out safety guidelines before buying or borrowing nursery furniture.
Start visiting swap meets, tag sales, and garage sales as soon as you know you'll be needing baby things. Use any secondhand sources you can think of, particularly for items that you'll use for a very short time, such as a bassinette, walker, baby bath, or jumper.
Select furniture and furnishings that will convert to good use as the child grows from infancy to the toddler stage. Planning ahead now will really pay off in the future. You'll only have to buy once!
Choose colors for the nursery that will coordinate with the colors of toys. Then the toys become decorative items themselves!
The best way to save lots of money is to do as much of the work as you can yourself! Paint furniture, sew curtains and quilts, paint the walls, and put up wallpaper. One of the biggest expenses in decorating is the labor, so the more you can do yourself, the more you'll save.
Use your money to buy things that will last through childhood - or at least a few years. Invest in a good bed and chest, but borrow or shop at discount stores for everything else.
If friends will be having a baby shower for you, this is a great time to get some things that will enhance your chosen room theme. Register for some things to decorate the room, such as bedding, furniture, and accessories.
Select a paint color for the walls that will "grow" with the child. Pale pink or baby blue are adorable for an infant, but may not last long.
Use baskets, drawers, and shelves to store toys, clothing, and other infant essentials.
Expand storage space by building shelves and adding extra clothes rods for the closet. You can buy simple do-it-yourself kits at home centers.
Instead of trying to wallpaper the whole room, paint the walls and decorate with a simple border or stencil a design around the windows, ceiling, and doors.
Your best resource for budget ideas will be other moms who have just been where you are now. Everyone is happy to share their ideas and their outgrown items.
Tips:
Be sure to think SAFE! If you borrow or buy an old crib, playpen, or car seat, be sure that it complies with current safety standards. Always think of your child's safety before good looks!
You can achieve a decorator look by choosing coordinated wallpaper and fabrics for a wall hanging, quilt, and window coverings.
Be sure to have all the baby essentials conveniently located where you'll use them. You won't want to have to walk away from the infant to get some needed supplies.
Don't forget a comfortable rocking chair with soft seat and arm cushions for those inevitable late-night feedings.
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