You can't walk through a baby store or home center without seeing all the amazing and wonderful things that parents-to-be just must have before the new baby arrives. Movie stars' nurseries are displayed in magazines for all to see and you're wondering how you'll be able to afford an adorable baby's room for your little one.
Everything is very expensive, layettes are custom-made and walls are painted with one-of-a-kind murals. The list of must-haves is endless from clothes to furniture, and accessories to toys. It's enough to break any budget.
I'm here to tell you to resist the temptation to think that your baby has to have everything new. Most of the things will be used for a very short time. Save your money for things that will last longer. And use your personal talents to create an one-of-a-kind nursery for your little one.
There are ways to find everything you'll really need, and some of the things you really want, and still have money left over. You'll have fun finding things and realize that you've been very sensible about your new baby's gear.
Above all, think safety.
Though you don't need to do everything before the baby arrives, it's a good idea to have a list of safety issues that need to be addressed when you get your baby gear. About.com's Guide to Baby Products, Heather Corley, offers great tips on buying baby cribs, baby strollers, high chairs,
and car seats. Whether you buy the most expensive products or borrow from friends, you should not ignore current safety regulations. Older items, borrowed or picked up at garage sales, might not meet current safety standards. They are no bargain. Pass them up and get items that are safe for your little one.
You really can furnish a beautiful baby's room on a small budget.
Use Hand-Me-Downs
The best way to save money on nursery furnishings is to accept gifts from other new mothers. Many parents are happy to pass along things that their baby has outgrown or doesn't need anymore. If you have a friend or relative with a baby 3 to 6 months older than yours, they'll be the perfect one to ask. Things will be up to date and their child will have no use for the items. An infant bassinette or cradle is useful for only about 3 months. After that, their baby will be in a crib.
Next, if things are not offered as gifts, ask to borrow the main items you'll need. You might have a friend with a 3 year old who doesn't need the crib anymore. They'll be particularly happy to have you store the crib for a few years or until they need it again.
Lots of people have baby items that they just don't know how to get rid of. They might not be ready to totally give them away, or they might think they'll use the items again. Maybe they don't want to go to the trouble of having a garage sale. Ask them to pass the items your way. You'll be able to make good use of them.
Buy Used
Garage sales, flea markets, and consignment stores are a great place to buy slightly-used pieces. You'll be able to save a lot of money over new retail and maybe even have higher quality than you'd get otherwise.
You can often negotiate prices to fit into your budget. Because most people do buy new baby items, they're often little used and near-new.
Don't just look at baby items. You might see a great chest of drawers or an antique rocking chair that would be perfect for the nursery. Look at the basic structure and stability of the piece. You can always refinish or paint it to go in your particular space.
Remember to look for clean, practical clothes and toys. Most will be only slightly used, as children outgrow things so quickly.
How to Decorate Baby Rooms Guide
Instructions
1
Add whimsy with color and unexpected accessories instead of shopping at Babies R'Us. One example would be to get a mobile that is more art than it is toy. Check out the Resources section for links to beautifully styled nurseries for inspiration.
2
Paint the room in more than one color. Multi color schemes are hot for baby rooms. Try to incorporate at least two tones on the wall, three if you can make it work. You'll want to spend some time looking at how others have designed their nurseries in order to do this right, see the Resources section for links.
3
Avoid being matchy-matchy with all the nursery décor. Colors, accessories, and furniture should all compliment each other, but do not have to be exactly the same. Use different textures and shapes in the nursery.
4
Tie in the decorative theme of your home into the baby's room. For instance, if your house is shabby chic, then think about making the nursery décor the same.
5
Use distinctive lighting elements. Chandeliers are hot for baby rooms as are custom lamps with funky lampshades. If you are handy, you can repurpose an existing lamp or garage sale chandelier using some paint and a glue gun to attach accessories. One of the great things about a chandelier is it is something you can pass on to your child to take with them to their adult home. Prices range from $50 to $1000, cheaper if you get lucky at a garage sale.
6
Decorate the ceiling. Babies spend a lot of time looking up so make the ceiling interesting. The aforementioned chandelier is one way, but also consider a wall mural or decorative crown molding.
7
Use wall decals to add a customized design touch. Not only are ready made murals available just for kids rooms, but they also have various cutouts that can be applied anywhere. For example, you can buy lady bugs or butterflies and put them on the walls wherever you like. There are also inspirational phrases available and monogrammed initials that can be applied to the wall. Decorative wall decals are easy to apply and, in some cases, can be rearranged and reused repeatedly. The price range is broad, from $20 to $200, making wall decals affordable on almost any budget. See the Resources section for links.
8
Skip the coordinated bedding set. First, experts discourage parents from using blankets and crib bumpers during the first year as they are a suffocation hazard. Second, the coordinated-mass-produced- bedding-in-a-bag look is OUT. Spend the money instead on a beautiful fabric skirt for the crib which can also hide storage bins. There are pictures of this linked in the Resources Section
9
Consider function when designing the nursery. Be sure you have a place to change diapers, store clothes, and rock the baby. When arranging the room, the crib should be placed away from drafts and the walls around it should be bare to avoid art work falling into the crib (another reason why wall decals are a great option for decorating nurseries). Establish where the crib, changing table, and rocker will go in order to see what kind of space there is in which to design.
1
Add whimsy with color and unexpected accessories instead of shopping at Babies R'Us. One example would be to get a mobile that is more art than it is toy. Check out the Resources section for links to beautifully styled nurseries for inspiration.
2
Paint the room in more than one color. Multi color schemes are hot for baby rooms. Try to incorporate at least two tones on the wall, three if you can make it work. You'll want to spend some time looking at how others have designed their nurseries in order to do this right, see the Resources section for links.
3
Avoid being matchy-matchy with all the nursery décor. Colors, accessories, and furniture should all compliment each other, but do not have to be exactly the same. Use different textures and shapes in the nursery.
4
Tie in the decorative theme of your home into the baby's room. For instance, if your house is shabby chic, then think about making the nursery décor the same.
5
Use distinctive lighting elements. Chandeliers are hot for baby rooms as are custom lamps with funky lampshades. If you are handy, you can repurpose an existing lamp or garage sale chandelier using some paint and a glue gun to attach accessories. One of the great things about a chandelier is it is something you can pass on to your child to take with them to their adult home. Prices range from $50 to $1000, cheaper if you get lucky at a garage sale.
6
Decorate the ceiling. Babies spend a lot of time looking up so make the ceiling interesting. The aforementioned chandelier is one way, but also consider a wall mural or decorative crown molding.
7
Use wall decals to add a customized design touch. Not only are ready made murals available just for kids rooms, but they also have various cutouts that can be applied anywhere. For example, you can buy lady bugs or butterflies and put them on the walls wherever you like. There are also inspirational phrases available and monogrammed initials that can be applied to the wall. Decorative wall decals are easy to apply and, in some cases, can be rearranged and reused repeatedly. The price range is broad, from $20 to $200, making wall decals affordable on almost any budget. See the Resources section for links.
8
Skip the coordinated bedding set. First, experts discourage parents from using blankets and crib bumpers during the first year as they are a suffocation hazard. Second, the coordinated-mass-produced- bedding-in-a-bag look is OUT. Spend the money instead on a beautiful fabric skirt for the crib which can also hide storage bins. There are pictures of this linked in the Resources Section
9
Consider function when designing the nursery. Be sure you have a place to change diapers, store clothes, and rock the baby. When arranging the room, the crib should be placed away from drafts and the walls around it should be bare to avoid art work falling into the crib (another reason why wall decals are a great option for decorating nurseries). Establish where the crib, changing table, and rocker will go in order to see what kind of space there is in which to design.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)