Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

Did you read that J.Lo spent millions to outfit nurseries for her twin babies? I hate to break it to her at this late date, but spending the annual budget of a small European country on the perfect bedroom for those twins doesn’t guarantee them a happy childhood. I mean, really. A diaper replaced one fraction of a second too late, and that $12,000 changing pad will need to be tossed.

For those of us operating on a slightly smaller budget - but who still want a beautiful, functional nursery - there are lots of great choices out there to create the baby room of your dreams. And even better: you’ll still have money left over to buy diapers.

To Theme or Not to Theme

I know, I know - you want everything to be perfect for your little darling, and for many parents, that means decorating around a theme. With more and more expectant parents finding out the gender of their baby ahead of its birth, it’s becoming increasingly common to see little ballerina or sports rooms ready to greet their new occupant. Even parents who choose not to find out the baby’s sex are choosing unisex themes such as moon and stars or animals.

There’s nothing wrong with a themed nursery; it can make buying decisions easier and really pull a room together. But depending on the theme you choose, it can also make your décor very expensive. If you’re dead set on a circus theme, for example, you’re at the mercy of retailers’ pricing of circus-themed bedding, wallpaper, lamps, rugs, etc.

Instead, consider a color scheme, which will broaden your choices and, hopefully, lower your prices. Using the circus example, you could pick up the bright primary colors of a circus theme and look for bedding and accessories in red, blue, and yellow. Imagine how much easier it will be to find inexpensive yellow crib sheets, a simple blue lamp, and an adorable red shag rug.

Your only real hope of getting a good deal if your nursery is themed - especially if it’s a unique theme - is to hit the jackpot on eBay or pray that your neighbors share your taste in zebra print and will be selling off their nursery gear at a yard sale.

Cribs

It’s the first thing that most expectant parents think about when the pregnancy test comes back positive. Gotta get a place for the baby to sleep! The choice of a crib is an emotional decision, and it’s natural to want the absolute best for your baby. Keep in mind that crib prices range from a few dollars for a garage sale find to thousands of dollars for designer cribs.

Safety should be the biggest issue in your decision, but if you purchase a crib manufactured in the U.S. after 1987, you can rest assured that your crib is probably very safe. That $100 Walmart crib is likely to be just as sound as the $2,000 decked-out crib at a fancy baby boutique - sorry, there goes that rationale for overspending!

If you decide to use a crib you find at a yard sale or one that’s loaned to you by family or friends, you’ll definitely save a bundle of cash. And to ensure it’s up to current safety standards, make sure the crib slats are spaced no more than 2-3/8 inches apart, that there are no decorative cutouts on the ends, no lead paint, and corner posts should be flush with the end panels.

One huge factor in many parents’ decision is the choice between convertible and traditional cribs. Convertible cribs (which transition from cribs into daybeds and often into twin or full beds) are typically more expensive than traditional cribs, but they’re a better investment over time because they can be used throughout your child’s life. Take into consideration whether you hope to use a crib for more than one child - in which case a convertible may not work for you.

Crib Bedding

Again, if you’re decorating according to a theme, your crib bedding may be somewhat limited, along with any chance for significant savings. The best way to save money on bedding is to avoid buying a set and instead only purchase the pieces you need. Many parents find that they don’t use all of the pieces that come in a set - what the heck are “finials” anyway? - so you could not only be saving money, but storage space for those unused pieces as well.

Talk with your spouse about which bedding separates are important to you. For instance, some pediatricians advise against using a bumper in cribs because of the potential SIDS risk. If you’ve decided to play it ultra-safe, a bumper may not be welcome in your nursery anyway. Then there’s the quilt, which shouldn’t go into the crib for a while, though some parents hang it on the wall to add to the room’s décor until it can be used in the crib. And is your husband going to be on board with a crib skirt for his son’s nursery?

The best way to save some dough is to pick up the pieces that are important to you - which could end up being just the crib sheets. You’ll be amazed at the price difference, and I bet you won’t even miss those finials.

Floor Coverings

With a resurgence in the popularity of hardwood floors, lots of nurseries have expanses of bare wood that parents may want to dress up a bit. A good quality rug adds warmth, personality, and a soft place for your baby to play when he gets a little older - but it can also come with a hefty price tag. Rugs can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the material, size, and manufacturer.

Rein yourself in a bit and do a lot of research before you buy anything. You can browse thousands of options and compare prices on the Internet. Just make sure you have an accurate idea of the rug size before you purchase something you haven’t seen in person. A good tip is to use low-tack tape on the nursery floor to mark off the dimensions of a rug you like. Then you’ll have an accurate visual representation of how much - or how little - floor it will cover. Another option is to ask a crafty friend or family member if she would be willing to latch-hook an adorable rug for the nursery.

If you have carpeting in your nursery, you may still feel a tug to get a cute rug. Unless it serves some other purpose than decoration - or you get it for a steal - try to resist the temptation. Do you really need that $300 alphabet rug? Yes, it’s educational, but you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck if you put that cash into a college savings fund instead.

Paint vs. Wallpaper

The nursery walls have the ability to set the stage for your baby’s room more than almost any other decorating accessory. Wallpaper is a popular option, but before you spend hours hanging that new wallpaper, consider the long-term impact. Wallpaper is more expensive than paint (so you’ll spend more money now), and it’ll have to be changed in a few years when your older child wants something other than teddy bears on his walls (so you’ll spend more money later too).

Paint is a budget-friendly option today and is easy and inexpensive to change when your child’s tastes change. If you’d like a mural on your baby’s wall, hiring an artist to paint it is going to be expensive. A great alternative is asking a talented friend to help or going through your local college or university to find a fine arts student. A college student will be easier on your wallet, and it gives him or her the opportunity to build a portfolio.

If you really like the look of wallpaper, a good compromise is to hang just a wallpaper border or to select large, easily-removable decals for the walls.

Nursery Furniture

In addition to the crib, most parents also purchase a changing table, dresser, and a bookcase. In an effort to save money, some moms and dads forgo the changing table, but I don’t suggest it. If you multiply an average of eight diapers a day over the nearly three years your child will likely be in diapers, it’s not a bad investment. If you want to get the most for your money, select a changing table that doubles as a dresser. Like the convertible crib, it usually costs a bit more initially, but instead of throwing it away when your child transitions out of diapers, you can use the dresser indefinitely (after you remove the changing tray, of course!).

If you decide to purchase a separate dresser or armoire, the key to saving money over the long haul is to choose furnishings that will grow with your child. For instance, select a dresser that you can see your teenager using. And to make it more nursery-friendly for your baby and growing child, purchase some fun, inexpensive knob pulls that match your theme or color scheme.

Of course the best way to save money on a beautiful nursery is to put your choices on your registry and hope your friends and family are feeling really generous!