How to Decorate a Nursery on a Budget
Choose Furniture for a Babys Room
Many of us are watching our pennies these days, but that doesn't mean you can't or don't want to create the best possible nursery for your new baby that you possibly can. The birth of a new baby is such a special time in every family's life, that it only seems right to put a little time and effort into creating a welcoming room for the new baby. It is totally possible to do this on a budget.
Even if funds are limited, you can still turn an ordinary room into a nursery by taking just a few essential steps. If your plan is to take a room that was once used for another purpose and turn it into a nursery, here is how to do it without spending a fortune.
The very first thing you will want to do is to go shopping for baby crib sets. But you don't even have a crib yet, you say. Trust me, you will. But first you need inspiration for decorating your nursery and one of the best places to get it is by shopping for baby crib sets. Whether you shop online or in a store, your goal is to find something you adore. This will be the focal point of the nursery and you will be looking at it for a while, so pick out something you love.
After you have found a baby crib set, the rest is a breeze. Select a soft paint color that will provide the foil to the set you have chosen and paint the walls. Use a quality paint that is washable and if the nursery walls are smooth and in good condition, use a low luster paint. This will not only make the walls easier to wash but give them a warm glow as well. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin William's stores are a good place to go to shop for quality paint and color ideas.
Next, you will need a crib and a changing table. It is not necessary to buy them brand new if money is tight. Shop locally on Craig's List, garage sales or wherever you can find used furniture in good condition. If you give yourself enough time you will have no problem finding something you like that will work in your awaiting nursery. If the furniture needs a coat of paint, white always works well in a baby's room.
Once the walls are painted, the furniture is in place and the baby crib set is on the crib you are almost finished. You may want to add a rocking chair, a lamp or two and a couple of wall hangings. Add a mobile to the changing table that includes the colors or design of your crib set. All of these can be purchased second hand. Most baby items don't get much wear during the first year and it is not difficult to find them for a good price used. Bedding blankets and bedding and a new changing table pad may be the only things you need or want to buy new.
Choosing a baby crib set you love before you do anything else provides you with a jumping off point as you begin planning your nursery décor. It will be the focal point of the room and dictate the personality and character of the room as a whole. Using the colors, the characters or the design, it is then easy to find or create wall hangings and other decor that blend with it. Reversing the order makes the process more difficult and expensive.
Being on a budget doesn't mean you can't create an adorable nursery for your new baby. You just have to be smart about the process and take your time to look, shop and consider. If you can afford to buy a quality, well-made baby bed set, you will find that it washes easily and will look great for as long as your baby needs it. It is the one place where you will not want to cut corners if you can avoid it.
If you are unable to find wall décor that is affordable, visit your local craft store. There are many decorative items you can make yourself without tons of skill and expense. Babies enjoy color and design as much as anything, especially for the first year. And remember you can always add to the room along the way as your budget allows and your imagination dictates.