How to create the perfect nursery for your baby on a budget.

 

Starting your baby’s nursery on a budget and you don’t even know where to start? I’ve been there twice. Decorating the nursery for your baby is one of the most rewarding tasks during pregnancy, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know how to do it or what to buy. In this post, I am going to give you a guide create the perfect nursery for your baby on a budget from beginning to end, with a list of all the necessary items that you need for a complete nursery, some rules you must follow to ensure your baby’s safety, and how to achieve your dream nursery on a budget.

Ready? Let’s begin. 

Throughout the post, I will include nursery photos to give you some ideas and inspiration. All the images belong to Pinterest

First of all, let me remind you of a few essential things before starting this process.

• Your baby will not need so much space, or so many things.
• The most important thing you should prioritize in a nursery is the functionality and safety of your baby.

How to create the perfect nursery for your baby on a budget.

1. Necessary items that must be part of your baby’s nursery.

The essential critical pieces for a baby’s nursery, or the nursery foundation I would say, are going to be:

• The baby crib and mattress: The baby’s crib should be the focal point of the room, or the statement piece. This is the piece of furniture where you should invest in buying. Something that you like, with a good quality. I know that for many mommies investing in a good crib is not essential. But if you consider that your baby will sleep in it for the next 3 to 4 years, or that the two or more children you’ll have, are probably going to use it too, then it makes perfect sense to buy something good. Make sure that the mattress you choose is a good quality and is comfortable to your baby as well. 
• The changing table: The changing table is the second most important thing in the room, you need to consider the following: It must be of good quality just like the crib, it must be safe for your baby, and it must have enough space for storage. In this changing table you need to be able to put as many things as you need to have your baby completely cleaned up, not only to change a diaper, but also changes of clothes, sheets or blankets, etc. The most important thing is to have everything at your fingertips, so you do not need to get away while changing the baby.
• The nursery chair: This chair is going to be your best companion for the next few years. Therefore, it must be incredibly comfortable, so that it can serve you on those sleepless nights. This days, there are many options and styles on the market, you can choose from a rocker, to a glider chair. Other styles of chairs even include an ottoman to rest your feet comfortably while nursing or rocking your baby. An useful tip for you, when choosing a nursery chair, consider getting one with a removable cover that can be washed, or one that is made of easy to clean fabrics.
• Nursing station: Right next to the nursing chair, consider adding an area with a set of shelves or a small piece of furniture to storage some blankets, burp rags, pillows, etc. at your fingertips while you are feeding your baby.
• You’ll need extra storage: The additional storage can be in the form of an extra dresser, bookshelves, plain shelves, toy bins, or other types of organizers. Remember that not only are you going to need to keep clothes, diapers, wipes, sheets, bibs, bedclothes, etc., But you also need the space to store toys, books, and more.
• Decorative pieces: My favorite part, and this is where you can get very creative. I think it is important to emphasize that the decorative part does not have to be expensive, there are affordable options available in many stores such as Target, Walmart, Tjmaxx, even in the Dollar tree, you can find beautiful and affordable items to create your own DIY’s.
• Accessorize: Lights, preferably those with a dimmer, so they don’t interrupt your baby’s sleep during night feeds. Rugs and curtains are also a fundamental part of the baby’s nursery not only to give a cozy atmosphere to the room but also in the case of window curtains to blocks the sunlight into the room, allowing your baby to nap at any time of the day comfortably.
• Diaper pail and clothes hamper: These two are recommended to be placed next to the changing table, they are a fundamental part of the nursery as well, and can also serve as accent colors to the room. The diaper pail will help you control unpleasant odors in the room, while the hamper will make your trips to the laundry more efficient.
• Baby monitor: Honestly, the baby monitor was not a fundamental part of the nursery for me, but I know that the use of a baby monitor is essential for many mom’s-to-be these days. Fifteen years ago when I had my first child, I did not even know about the existence of baby monitors, I choose to have him near to me, so I was able to listen to everything that happened. However, I know that times have changed, and today many affordable options will allow you to feel calm about your baby’s safety.

2. Now that you know the key pieces to begin building your baby’s nursery!

Here you have the steps to start your journey.

• Start planning early: The recommended time to start the baby’s nursery project is approximately in the second trimester of pregnancy and that is because: You’ll have time to get inspired and decide what you want before getting to work, you’ll have the energy to actually shop and decorate your nursery, and finally because at 20 weeks you’ll know the gender of your baby.
• Find inspiration: Pinterest is my favorite place to find inspiration, remember that you must decide beforehand what colors or textures you want to use, also if you are going to use wallpaper vs. paint on the walls, the theme of the decoration, and more. The soul of the room is going to be the theme that you choose, among the themes you can find for baby nurseries these days you have: nautical, ballerina, roses, love hearts, elephants, owls, floral, unicorns: jungle, neutral, rodeo, safari, sports, stars, rustic woodland, and more.
• Budget: Your financial situation is going to change in a short time, some families do not have this problem, but if you are one of those who worries about money, then you should check your choices. Example: to buy the crib, the fundamental piece of the baby’s nursery, there are a lot of options on the market. You’ll need to invest in quality. However, you don’t need to spend 1000 dollars on a crib. There are excellent options available for half the price. Therefore, deciding how much your budget is going to be, will allow you to make better decisions about what to buy first and how much you are willing to spend, if you are on a tight budget, I recommend starting with the most important things, consider accepting handouts from family and friends, and wisely using to baby registry to include everything you can’t buy.
• Take measurements before starting to buy: Study well the space you have, measure the whole room, and the areas in which you decide to put the most essential things so that you can make wise decisions regarding the size. Keep in mind that at the end of the decoration, there should be a space where the baby can play when he is older. You’ll need these measurements before buying furniture and accessories to avoid returning items that don’t fit in the room later. 

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Safety measurements to follow while creating your baby’s nursery!

• Consider baby-proof the room as you go.
• Seal all holes on the walls before painting.
• Choose and use low VOC (volatile organic compounds) on your baby’s nursery paint on the walls.
• If you choose wallpaper, consider a washable one that will be easy to clean.
• When buying a crib and other furniture, check that all hardware and screws are properly installed.
• Avoid cribs that pose safety risks for babies, such as drop-down cribs.
• Secure all furniture to the wall if you can.
• Do not place any shelving above the baby’s crib to avoid accidents.
• Consider placing the crib closed to the room door.
• Consider placing crib and changing table close together, to ensure the baby’s safety.
• Prioritize an open clutter-free space intended for the baby’s play once he is older.

Tips to decorate your baby’s nursery on a budget.

• Consider buying second hands.
• Take your time to shop around before spending any money.
• Spread out to family and friends that you are accepting donated items for the nursery.
• Choose wisely what you include in your baby registry.
• Shop around online in multiple sites before you make any purchases.
• Consider DYI decorations.
• Use toys as decorating pieces.
• Choose decorative bins to use as storage.
• Use photo frames and family collages to decorate the walls.
• Consider a minimalist look.
• Invest in pieces that will last you for a long time.

 

Related topics.

Ways to relieve morning sickness during pregnancy.

What to expect from your fetal anatomy scan and how to prepare.

How to boost your baby’s brain growth and development.

How to help your young boy to adjust to a new baby.

Baby sleep training. The complete guide.

Always remember, your baby doesn’t need perfection. The only thing they need is a safe room and lots of love to grow strong and happy.

Take your time to look for the best deals. Talk to other moms who have done nurseries before. And try to enjoy the process.

I hope this article has been informative and helpful to you, thanks for reading. I’ll see you next time.

Zadi, xo