When it comes to having a baby, everything is new. There is so much to do, so much to plan, so much to buy. One of the major undertakings is preparing a space for the little one. Decorating a nursery can be one of the most gratifying experiences for soon-to-be parents. Here some steps to get started.
Picking a Style
Some parents prefer finding out the sex of the baby to help dictate a style. After all, it can be fun to bedeck a boys room with balls and bats or create a garden retreat for a girl. Parents who are opting for a surprise on do not need to feel left out. There are plenty of nursery styles that are gender neutral, like a tropical rain forest or a cute barnyard. The style should be reflective of your family and should create a welcoming and comfortable space. Outlet stores are great places to look for bedding and decorations to match your style. Places like Burlington Coat Factory will have all the trendy nursery styles and other cheap home decor at a greatly reduced price.
Color
The colors in the nursery should reflect the style you have chosen. Very young babies enjoy contrasting colors so considering picking paint that contrasts well with any bedding or furniture you may have purchased. Decorating a nursery is also a great time to do customized paint jobs. It can be as simple as painting adjacent walls different colors or as complex as painting a mural on a given wall. The great part is that embellishing a nursery through paint is one of the cheapest ways to make the space unique.
Furniture
The most important piece of furniture is the crib. The first decision to make is between a convertible crib or a standard one. Though convertible cribs can be used as a toddler bed and even a full-sized bed eventually, they are pricier. The good news is that both convertible and standard cribs come in many styles. A changing table is another must-have and can often be bought to match the crib of your choice. Other furniture options might include a rocking chair, a toy chest, or a shelving unit. Set a budget for your furniture purchases and then buy the pieces that you need most first. Shopping online allows for easier comparison shopping, which can help find the best deals on cheap home decor. Since most furniture would need to be shipped from a store anyway, paying for shipping from on online order is not as big of deal.
Accessories
Babies need lots of stimulation so picking out mirrors or colorful rugs can definitely encourage early learning. Put pictures on the wall to match your theme or even include family pictures. Babies are always studying their surroundings so be sure to make the nursery a sensory rich environment. These additions are easier to find, so look for sales on cheap home decor at places like Wal-Mart or Target. Also consider using pictures or stuffed animals you already have to finish off the space.
Getting Dad On Board
While expectant mothers do most of the planning, there is plenty for dad to do as well. Being pregnant can make it difficult for a mother to complete many of the decorating tasks, which gives dads a chance to get invested by painting or assembling furniture.
Conclusion
Having a baby is not easy and it certainly is not cheap. But for budget conscious parents out there, plenty of options still exist. All it takes is a little time, a little shopping prowess, and a lot of love.
