I consider myself to be pretty thrifty in all aspects of life [1], so when it came time to set up a nursery for my daughter, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to put my skills to the test. I wanted to make it something special for her, while keeping in mind we could change it in a few years for another child (my son came along at the perfect time). So, if you, like me, still want to make a Pinterest-worthy nursery on a tight budget, don't worry — there are plenty of ways to save money [2] while tackling these projects.
1. Look Online . . . a Lot
Sites like Craigslist [3], apps like OfferUp [4] and LetGo [5], and virtual tag sale groups on Facebook often have quality gently used items for sale at a fraction of the original price. After finding my dream crib and changing table online, which I definitely couldn't afford (it was $1,000), I continuously checked Craigslist for months hoping someone was selling the exact one. It took some waiting, but I eventually got it (and in the colour I wanted) for $200!
2. Go to Yard and Estate Sales
If you have time to visit yard and estate sales on the weekends, I highly encourage this route, especially if you're into DIY projects [6]. You really never know what you might find, and you can even look in the local newspaper, where sellers often list what will be for sale. We found my daughter's dresser at an estate sale, paid $50, and had it in our garage that same day, poised for refinishing. With the leftover money I saved, I went on Amazon and ordered new hardware to make it look just like one I found on Pinterest. You can also potentially get something for free, as many sellers want to get rid of everything at the end of their sale.
3. Ask Friends and Family
Ask family members and friends if there's anything they no longer use [7], or even things your parents may have saved that were yours. A lot of the time people have amazing and barely used items just sitting in storage. And the best part about this? The cost of these items is usually either free or highly discounted.
4. Get Your DIY [8] On
I love a good DIY project, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can do for a nursery. For each of my children, I did things like purchase wooden letters for their names, painted them to match my vision for their rooms [9], and hung them above their crib — all for less than $10! If you're not a crafter yourself, you could always ask a friend or family member that enjoys getting creative.
5. Consignment Shops
Consignment shops are a great place to find all sorts of things you need for a new baby or a growing child, and this includes things for their rooms. At my favourite local consignment shop, we found a toddler bed rail for my daughter's big girl room [10] for about $4, and replaced the teething rails on the crib because there was a new, unopened box for sale for $2.
6. Home Goods
Everyone knows Home Goods is amazing, and I've leaned heavily on the discounted home decor store for my nurseries. I bought all the baskets and bins for the changing table and pieces of wall art — all of which matched their specific themes — for anywhere from 20 to 80 percent off their original price.
7. Discount Websites
Discount websites like Wayfair [11] and Overstock.com [12] have everything from small decorative items to large furniture pieces. After looking all over town, we found the bed we wanted within our budget for our daughter's room on Wayfair at less than half the price. The only downside to these websites is that you have to build the furniture yourself, which proves a little difficult for me, but worth the hassle for the price tag.