It might be tempting to spend a fortune when creating a nursery for your baby, especially if it’s for your first one. As tempting as it is, however, you won’t be able to keep the nursery’s look forever as it could change once your baby grows and is no longer an infant. Hence, despite wanting to achieve a safe and aesthetically pleasing room for your precious child, it’s still best to be economical with the whole process.
Remember, you would need around USD$230,000 to raise a child if you’re classified as a middle-income family. And this is excluding college tuition. With this huge estimate, you need all the budget-friendly tips you can get. (1)
In addition to opting for nursery furniture packages, here are other tips on how to build a nursery that’s healthy for your wallet.
In This Article
1. Prepare a budget
Like any other major or minor renovation project you’ll do, it’s best to start planning your budget first. If you don’t know much money you’ll allocate, you won’t have any indicator to stop purchasing.
With that said, consider the average amount of any items you need for the space. This includes the crib, mattress, feeding chair, shelves, play mat, and even the room’s decoration. It’s estimated you’ll spend around USD$2,000 for a new nursery. This amount can increase, depending on many factors, but it can also decrease, especially if you’re buying with a coupon or discount.(2)
2. Think long term
Since you’re bound to redesign the nursery after a few years anyway, consider furniture pieces, such as chairs, that would grow with your child. This means you should refrain from purchasing pieces that have baby-friendly or cutesy characters and patterns as much as possible. By doing so, you won’t have to change the furniture in a few years, thus saving you money.
Additionally, you may want to paint the room with neutral colors, like cream or beige. Firstly, neutral walls will stand the test of time, and your child can freely design them as they grow old. Secondly, neutral-colored walls will promote a fun and inviting vibe since the whole ambiance of the room won’t look too plain.(3)
3. Consider secondhand pieces or repurpose
Aside from thinking long term, you can also consider buying from secondhand stores. But if you think finding secondhand pieces would be a futile endeavor, you can always consider reusing or repurposing old furniture pieces. This means with a little DIY-ing on your part, you can convert your existing furniture into pieces you can use for the baby’s nursery. For instance, you can paint bookcases, a rocking chair, or benches to match your nursery’s theme. (4)
Alternatively, you can ask any family member or friend to lend you baby furniture, especially if they have a crib or baby drawer gathering dust in their garage. Apart from giving use to items that would otherwise be thrown out, you can also save a lot of money by doing this.
4. Refrain from buying any baby bedding
Although it may set the nursery’s overall design and adds beauty to the room, crib bedding is actually dangerous (not to mention costly, averaging around USD$200 in value). Even if they’re widely used, crib blankets, pillows, and bumpers may render your infant susceptible to suffocation. That’s why it’s advised to shun away from using or buying them in the first place.
Moreover, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all a baby needs to ensure optimal comfort is a firm mattress. You can just purchase some waterproof mattress cover and sheets to ensure it lasts long. And if you’re worried about your baby getting chills at night or during colder months, you can invest in some sleep sack or swaddle wrap. These would suffice to give your little ones some warmth as they sleep through the night.(5)
5. Use photographs as decorations
There are limitless decorations widely available on the internet and brick-and-mortar shops, but take note that these pieces are classified under the wants list. So think carefully first and assess if you really need to purchase these things.
If you’re finding your nursery too plain and unattractive, you can use family photographs as decorations instead. The best thing about these is they’re versatile––you can hang them on the walls or place them on top of drawers or tables.
Final words
It can be easy to go all out when building a nursery, especially if it’s for your first child. But going overboard may not be a worthwhile investment. One tip to follow is to divide your plans into wants and needs. In the needs list, always go for options that would allow you to save money. On the other hand, always think carefully when buying anything that’s on your wants list. Lastly, always remember that the love you have for your newborn cannot be expressed through lavish furniture pieces or expensive decorations.
References
- “The Cost of Raising a Child”, Source: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/01/13/cost-raising-child
- “What Is the Cost of a Nursery?”, Source: https://www.care.com/c/what-is-the-cost-of-a-nursery#:~:text=According%20to%20The%20Bump%20you,can%20cost%20%243%2C000%20or%20more
- “17 Nursery room themes. Chic ideas for stylish decors”, Source: https://www.homedit.com/17-nursery-room-themes-chic-ideas-for-stylish-decors/
- “10 Tips for Creating a Nursery on a Budget”, Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/10-tips-for-creating-a-nursery-on-a-budget/
- “How to Design a Beautiful Nursery on a Budget”, Source: https://www.thespruce.com/designing-beautiful-nursery-on-a-budget-2504881
