How to budget for a Nursery
When decorating for a Micro Nursery and piecing together functional items, my latest playing grounds was Facebook marketplace and SHEIN (yes girls, they sell more then just clothes!)
I got into second hand and budget shopping when I had my first child; I was on a very tight fast-food funded budget and you do what you can with what you got. Amen.
Craigslist was all the craze for both selling and buying great scores and while in that season, I had also discovered "Once upon a Child." Babies grow out of things incredibly fast and it was incredible that I could sell clothes as fast as I could purchase.
At the start of my second pregnancy I dove headfirst and switched out of watching makeup videos for videos like “top 10 nursery needs,” and “Baby registry regrets,” so that I could familiarize myself with what had changed since my last rodeo as a new mom and see the pros and cons of all baby goods.
Once I put together a list, I searched and cross checked EVERYWHERE for what I was looking for.
The internet; in case there was a great deal.
Facebook market; when I had a specific brand or item in mind.
Thrift stores; for unique finds.
Micro Nursery; cohabitating with baby for the first couple of months.
Multi Use furniture will evolve with the baby while keeping cost low.
Babyletto YUZU crib is the one that we went with and the only thing "new," in his side of the room. It can get as small as a bassinet and as large as a full size bed.
When compared to a similar product on the market, the Yuzu had all the pieces to build bigger, while its competitor required the buyer to purchase add on pieces as needed.
In addition, it also provide the mattress needed per stage (minus the full size.) This is not only a great investment in our child but in our family, as we can turn around and sell it when it comes time and I am confident it can hold its value.
Diaper caddies are an absolute most , and I didn't realize they came in more ways then the cute, material made, pieces that I had come across and used myself.
Prince Lionheart Hanging Diaper Depot Storage Depot is great for its sturdy, acrylic structure and storage compartments dedicated for a wipes warmer and changing essentials. Imagine having the baby pulled up next to your bed at night, but you still have to make your way across the room just to change them. During the night you want to keep it low activity so that the baby isn't over stimulated and fusses to go back to sleep. This all in one makes it possible, within arms reach.
Choosing a theme is personal, slightly stressful, but with all the things, it does not need to break the bank.
I did start, of course, on Pinterest. Browsed all the options and presented them to my husband. A Boho theme is one we kept revisiting and when I defined it as a Peru inspired, geometric... think Nazca lines and desert tone colors, he was sold ! (We are both Hispanic, he is Peruvian) Next was identifying items that represented that look. We had an alpaca figurine and a throw pillow with traditional colors in our room, so from there the match making began.
SHEIN Home
has a fun variety of things from artwork to hardware and much much more. I went with knobs that were similar in wicker to a mirror that I had purchased. Followed by a 3pcs, unframed artwork with colors that matched the throw pillow and by pure luck I found a matching wall sticker, that really tied in with the Nazca theme. All three pieces came up to under $20 ! That is a steal, that even beats a thrifted find because they are all brand new !
Facebook market and Thrifting.
More Decor and that phenomenal wicker mirror that I mentioned. I love mirrors, they open up small spaces and elevate the look on a room. When I seen this on the Marketplace for $15, I couldnt pass it up.
Compared to how much I was finding others listed for and what the MSRP had it ticketed at $160, it was a great deal !
When I coordinated a pick up, it actually was being sold from a thrift store in a few towns over. Making the trip out there turned out to be beyond worth it, as I was also able to purchased things for the house.
Truth be told I can justify any reason to spend money and call it a need hehe :D
Furniture pieces; likely things you wont get at the baby shower so why not start there with your nesting and spending urges. At least that's what I told myself and my husband when I explained to him where our next adventure was taking us and how little we were about to spend.
Other finds included a dresser, a utility cart and my favorite, a swivel rocker recliner. (That I always catch him sitting in, so I know he loves it just as much.)
They range in price but a similar one that I had found was starting at $500.
I finally found one for $60 and although it was WELL loved I did go through with steam cleaning it, and shaving it down, as it had what looked like cat kneading spots and all that came out to be $165!
I saved more then half the cost, by being savvy and patient with our finds.
I can confidently say that all that put us a little over $200....$208 give or take and I feel utterly thrilled with the turn out of our micro nursery.
All the money saved went into investing into a nest egg for the baby and that allows me to feel at peace while I am on maternity leave.
I am thrilled to evolve his nursery over time and to see how my savvy skills helps pull together his first official room.
Thanks for stopping by, catch you on the next post xx
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