Having children is a very expensive venture and many people can end up spending huge amounts furnishing and decorating their babies’ nurseries. However, this does not have to be the case. If you do your research and are prepared to do a lot of the hard work yourself, you can easily prepare a stunning nursery for your baby without breaking the bank.
1. Work out exactly what you need
Planning is absolutely key here. Many people make the mistake of just going shopping without a list and end up coming home, having spent hundreds of pounds, with a lot of stuff they don’t actually need and will never use.
Think about all the items that are absolutely essential, such as a cot, a changing table and a nursing chair. These are items every nursery should definitely have and cover the crucial aspects of having a baby, i.e. sleeping, changing and feeding. Stick to your list and you will find you have a lot more money to spend on the baby when it arrives.
2. Have a theme and stick to it
One of the easiest ways to save money, in addition to having a good list and sticking to it, is to have a particular theme for the nursery. Having a particular theme will ensure you don’t go overboard spending money on items you don’t really need. Knowing what your theme is and sticking to it will also limit the number of options you have when out shopping, so will prevent needless spending.
3. Beg, borrow and recycle
If this is not your first child, you are likely to have plenty of items you can recycle for your new baby. Do so. Do not feel bad your new child is not getting a brand new cot or changing table. They won’t care and these items are expensive and are supposed to be used again and again.
Alternatively, whether you are a new parent or not, utilise the items your friends and family members have but don’t need anymore. It is always worth seeing what you can get for free, especially because many items will still be as new.
If friends and family are not forthcoming, have a look at online auction sites. You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to give away, or sell, almost new items. You can save a lot of money recycling other people’s goods in this way. Keep in mind; the more you save by finding goods this way, the more money you have to spend on other baby things.
4. Get involved in some DIY
Most people have old furniture lying around that they want to get rid of because they don’t use it anymore, such as chest of drawers where one or two of the drawers are broken. If you or any of your family and friends has furniture like this, fix it up and use it for your nursery. For instance, a chest of drawers can quite easily be a changing table, provided it is the right height and has a flat top surface.
It may take some time sanding down old furniture, repainting and even fixing in some cases, however, it will most definitely be worth it in the end. Not only will you feel pride in what you have achieved but it will also have saved you a lot of money.
5. What’s a baby shower for?
Cheeky…but true. Obviously you shouldn’t go overboard and expect the world from your friends and family but if you are being thrown a baby shower, there is no harm in asking for a few essential items you really need. It is also worth asking close friends or family members to club together, or donate money, so you can afford to buy any of the larger items you need.
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Laura writes for the Hallowood Company. When not writing about solid oak living room furniture, she can often be found trying to get out scratches her kids have put in hers.
