Creating a Nursery on a Budget

Planning a new addition to the family can be an expensive time, so finding ways to budget will give you more money to spend on other things, like clothes and diapers. The cost of setting up a nursery is one of the areas where money can be saved. If you approach it in the right way, you can still have a lovely room for your baby without breaking the bank.

Choosing What You Need, Not What You’d Like

It’s all too easy to be drawn into magazines showing pictures of beautiful nurseries, when half of the things in them aren’t needed or used. Choose only what you need is the key.

The main item you will need is a cot and these come in various shapes and sizes. Cots vary from Moses baskets up to a full sized cots with adjustable bases. It is worth remembering, however, that for the first six months baby will be sleeping in the same room as you (if you have the space), so a Moses basket or crib is all that is needed. This gives you a little breathing space to save for a larger cot, which will then last until baby becomes a toddler. Some cots even convert into a small bed, which in the long run could be an investment.

A changing table is a useful piece of furniture, whether it is a standalone table or simply a board which sits on the cot. If you live in an apartment a changing table will be an ideal option, as it will have storage space underneath for all the little bits you will need, such as ointments and diapers. If on the other hand you have stairs to contend with, then a simple changing mat is a good, cheap option. It can be placed on the floor, then slipped under the sofa when not in use.

Storage boxes are a useful addition, as you will soon find out that baby’s accessories take over your home. Being able to put them away when not in use will give you back your space. A simple drawer under the bed, or some stackable boxes for the closet, will soon prove their usefulness.

Should Everything Be New?

Buying new furniture is great if you can afford it, but for those on tight budgets it might be an idea to ask friends or family if they have items they have outgrown. In which case they could either give or lend them to you (if they need them back in the future).

Some items, such as a mattress, should be new as a matter of hygiene. Baby will spend much of his or her time sleeping, so a good mattress is essential.

How to Refresh Used Furniture

If you buy someone else’s old furniture, from Craigslist for example, you will want to make sure it’s clean and undamaged. Stained wood can be cleaned using oxalic acid; oxalic acid is an organic compound that will remove urine stains without harming the wood. You can then paint or varnish your furniture and have peace of mind that baby will be safe.

Having a baby in your life can be hard work, leaving you tired and stressed, but if you plan your budget and recycle, it needn’t be an expensive experience.