20 Budget Nursery Decorating Tips All New Parents Need to Know

It might be tempting to decorate your baby’s crib with a cloud-like array of pillows and plush toys, but you only need one of each. Stick to pretty patterned bedding and minimal styling to decorate on budget.

Designer cribs are a thing, and they will cost you. Luckily, there are tons of well-designed, affordable options out there. Before you go shedding thousands on a crib, shop around for budget alternatives, and look for three-in-one convertible options that will transform into a toddler bed when the time comes.

The cuteness factor is always a winner in nursery décor, and no one beats The Animal Print Shop in that department. Are the larger prints a little out of budget? Opt for an assortment of four smaller prints. You’ll get four times the charm at a fraction of the cost.

Not a lot of storage space? No problem. All you need are a few IKEA shelves and some attractive baskets, and you’ve got yourself a makeshift storage option that tucks away toys and clothes, while allowing books to be on display.

You might want to add seating in your nursery, like a sofa where guests can come and swoon over your newborn baby. We suggest a daybed that can be converted into a child’s bed so you can repurpose it when your toddler has outgrown the crib.

If you have an unused dresser lying around, use it as a double-duty changing station. You can also scour vintage stores or Etsy for budget alternatives. The dresser above was purchased at MintHome, an Etsy shop that specializes in refurbished vintage furniture. It was outfitted with a removable changing tray and pad.

Sometimes all you need to make a statement in a room is to add a bold geometric design. You can also opt for something a bit more subtle and paint the window and door trims in a bright contrasting color. It's a great way to decorate a nursery on a budget.

Visit your local antique and vintage stores or turn to eBay or Etsy to find vintage items, especially when it comes to pieces that you might not use once your baby is grown. A rocking chair is a perfect example.

You don't have to go wild with décor, you just need to make sure a couple of things in the room stand out. A few patterned or colored throw pillows are a low-cost way to give the room personality, and up the cozy vibes.

Minimalism is just as chic in a nursery as it is in every other room in your house. Keep bed linens neutral, opt for 2-4 framed pieces of art, and find a piece of statement lighting. The result is simple, but stunning.

Wallpaper is an easy way to make your nursery absolutely adorable, without needing a lot of extra décor (which equals less money spent!). If you choose a removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper, it'll be easy to redecorate the room when your child is older and has tastes of their own.

Your nursery should feel cohesive with the rest of your home, so you don't have to come up with a totally new style scheme. If you have pieces of décor or furniture in other rooms that you aren't using or don't need, feel free to bring those into the nursery. It'll save you money, and help your house flow together.

When in doubt, add a plant. It's a low-cost, high-reward styling hack. It adds a calming, homey feel to the nursery, and when the room is no longer a nursery, you can use the plant elsewhere in your home.

Shocking but true—your nursery doesn't need to be an actual room. If you live in a small apartment, or don't have an extra bedroom, don't stress. An alcove or spacious closet can become a budget-friendly nursery with a crib, some wallpaper, and a few toys.

Your nursery is only a nursery for so long, so don't spend a ton of money going all out with pink or blue décor items. Decorating in neutrals ensures that the room can transition as your child grows up—or if you move your child into another room and turn the nursery into an office or den, the neutral décor means you won't have to start all over buying things from scratch.

If you're trying to keep cost down, built-ins are your new best friend. You don't need to spend money on a bookshelf, toy chest, or storage space—make your built-ins work for you, using them to house toys, extra diapers, and linens.

You're going to want a comfortable chair in your nursery for breast-feeding and watching your little one, but that doesn't mean you have to buy a new one. Take a chair from your living room or master bedroom that you won't miss too much and use it in your nursery. It's only used for such a short period of time, that investing in a new one isn't necessary if you're trying to cut costs.

Burlap baskets, rattan bins, wicker trays—natural materials not only keep cost down, but they also look seriously chic. We love these numbered burlap bins that help turn this basic organizer into an adorable, farmhouse-style piece.

As much as you're going to want to fill the room with every adorable toy under the sun, babies just aren't going to appreciate them the way you will. Save the money (trust us—you'll need the toy budget when they're a year or two older) and stick to a couple cute stuffed animals you love, rather than a whole menagerie.

Who says everything has to be store-bought? DIY your wall décor, like with this fun paper garland. It'll save money, and give your nursery a homemade touch.