A tight budget doesn’t have to mean drab nursery decor. With a few inexpensive supplies and some DIY ingenuity, you can turn the most important room in the house into a stylish haven full of fun and functional design twists. If you’re looking for a new nursery idea or a way to save money without sacrificing style, read on for easy nursery ideas on a budget.
Baby Handprint & Footprint Memory Frame
Capture your child's teeny handprint and footprint in clay and then add photos for a special keepsake you and your child will love to look at through the years. With WavHello's First Impressions memory frame kit ($19.99), you can easily capture this magical time in your child's life and create a beautiful piece of artwork for the nursery.
Decoupage Outlet Covers
Dress up white walls with fun and funky outlet covers. This quick and easy makeover turns your plain switch plates into creative pieces of art. All you need is decorative paper and Mod Podge. Visit The 36th Avenue for all the details.
Custom Initial Painted Canvas
Laverne and Shirley-style monograms never go out of style. That's why this easy DIY is the perfect way to add a splash of color to your baby's nursery. They're completely customizable and can be made with less than five items. Stop by Love Maegan for the simple tutorial.
Newborn Wardrobe Shelf
Put adorable newborn outfits on display when they're not being worn. It's a smart way to make the most out of your space and get use out of those tiny outfits. And, since this stylish decor was made for less than $20, you'll have extra bucks in the bank to spend on...more cute clothes, of course! Head over to the fabulous Fresh Mommy for the tutorial.
Baby Card Nursery Art
The outpouring of love you feel when you're pregnant is something you wish you could bottle up, save and share with your new baby. Thanks to the blogger mom behind Veronika's Blushing, there's a way to turn the cute cards you received at your baby shower into inexpensive wall art for the nursery.
Fabric Storage Bin
Parenting mystery #2874, how does such a small infant possibly accumulate so much stuff? It's a question that stumps every new parent. Check out this tutorial on Make it & Love it from Stitched by Carol on how to make your own stylish fabric storage basket.
Framed Musical Lullaby
Here's a creative and inexpensive way to share your love of music with your wee babe while jazzing up the nursery. Featured here on Project Nursery is Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of "Lullaby of Birdland" framed with a pink mat. It's such a cool way to add personality to your new favorite room.
DIY Keepsake Shadow Box
This project is the perfect way to commemorate your baby's birth or first year and makes for beautiful artwork for the nursery. Rather than keep those special keepsakes and photos packed away, out of sight, this project lets you put them on display. Visit Little Umbrella to get all the sweet details on this easy do-it-yourself project.
DIY Crib Skirt
Full disclosure: This one requires a sewing machine. But if you're good with sewing, this basic crib skirt is the perfect way to add color and detail to your baby's nursery. Customize the color and print to meet the rest of the room's decor and see how a simple crib skirt can instantly bring a room together. Head over to Make It & Love it for the full tutorial.
Dollhouse Top Shelf
Got a bookcase you want to pretty up? This IKEA hack takes crafting to the next level. Start with an IKEA Billy bookcase (or something similar) and end with a beautifully colored and decorated dollhouse. We thought that might get your attention! Visit The DIY Village for the full tutorial on a dollhouse your little one will enjoy for years to come.
DIY Hoop Chandelier
It's amazing how much time our sweet babies spend staring up at the ceiling. We think this clay chandelier mobile from the super talented crew at Design Mom is a genius way to add color and whimsy to your nursery without breaking the piggy bank.
Modern-Chic Name Display
Here's an art project that’s easier than A-B-C. All it takes is rearranging letters (handmade or store-bought), a little spray paint for finesse, and a homemade tissue tassel garland. Mount a frame around your creation to add more modern-art flair. Oh So Lovely shows you how.
Emerald Gradient Dresser
Give grandma’s old dresser a new look with a fresh coat of paint in fresh, modern colors using Still Being Molly's tutorial. She also re-did her childhood bookshelf with the same stunning green ombré results here.
Dainty Crib Railing
Protect your tiny chomper’s mouth (and their crib) with this beautiful fabric railing. Even if you're not a sewing expert, August Joy Studios promises an easy tutorial! All it takes is a bit of cloth, a few moments of measuring and a lot of patience. Plus, it’s much easier to match the crib railing to your room when you’re the one making it.
Rustic Corner Shelves
A small apartment is no excuse for limiting your library. Reading nooks can fit anywhere, including corners! Stuff With A Story used plywood to build their space. Make sure to support your shelf with a thin trim or brackets from IKEA.
Wire Planter Shelves
Turn your child's fuzzy friends into decorations by giving them wire-planter homes along the wall. Vary the size of the wire planters if you like, and secure them with nails or tack putty. For this and more visual aids on using thrifted goods for a European-inspired nursery, visit Bleubird Vintage.
—Aimee Della Bitta & Christal Yuen
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