Update 5/31/20: I just had my second baby (this time a little girl) and posted pictures and info about designing her nursery. I am especially in love with the circular crib I found.
Let me begin by confessing that decorating is not my strongest suit. Between being incredibly indecisive and not being blessed with the natural “eye for design,” decorating any room is usually an agonizing task for me.
However, due to the magic of pregnancy hormones, my newfound desire to nest, and the unfathomable love I already have for our little one, I was surprised to find that nursery design was one of my favorite parts of pregnancy.
If you’re starting to think about planning your nursery and you are anything like me, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. But, rest assured, mama, you can make this fun! Getting started on nursery ideas early in your pregnancy will help. That way, you can space out the projects and give yourself time to enjoy each little win.
Love is Homemade
One of my favorite things hubby and I did for our little boy’s nursery was each commit to making something by hand. This was a big money saver and added a special, personal touch.
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From Mommy: DIY Dream Catcher
To add to the fun of making my nursery addition, I had a few of my partners in pregnancy (girlfriends who conveniently got pregnant around the same time as me and wouldn’t judge me for only serving donuts) over for a crafting party.
Inspired by the Crate and Barrel Tassel Dreamcatcher ($39 cost), we used metal circles, thin rope, tassels, and colored cross stitch embroidery thread to create our own nursery dream catchers. With a total supplies cost of $15 each, we saved about $25 and achieved the same look!
From Daddy: Hand Crafted Bookshelves
My husband wanted to make something a little more rugged for our son, so he chose to do a woodworking project. Using a pallet (free ninety-nine thanks to a home improvement project his parents recently completed), he made two bookshelves. Once they were sanded, he sealed them using a clear sealant and we added a vinyl wall quote from Amazon to jazz it up. Total cost was around $15.
Honor Your Village
We’ve all heard the cliche’ “It takes a village to raise a child.” And, it most certainly does. I’ve found a whole new gratitude during my pregnancy for the support system we have. It’s crazy good to feel the love others already have your child.
I knew that I wanted something in the nursery to remind us of this love and support, so I was very happy to stumble upon this idea on Pinterest from Veronika’s Blushing.
This commemorative wall deco was a great use for those cute baby shower cards that often get thrown away or stored in a box.
Splurge on Something Fun
We wanted to save most of our budget for the “necessary” items. Therefore, I was very conscious about being thrifty when I made the registry and chose nursery decor. However, there was one item (some would say a little overpriced) that I just needed to have. A giant stuffed giraffe. And was he worth the hefty price tag? You betcha!
The Little Details
Over the Crib
Like most first time parents, we are worried about make sure everything in the house is safe for our baby. So, naturally, the idea of hanging something over his crib was a little unsettling. However, after a lot of research, I was convinced that as long as you pull the crib out a bit from the wall, use lightweight objects, and properly secure the decoration you can carry on worry-free.
Thank goodness, because I am in love with these animal prints. They helped add a little flair to our mid-century modern crib, which I thought looked best without much bedding decor.
Gallery Wall
Adding a gallery wall was a great catch-all for small deco gifts we received for the baby.
A Piece of Your Own Childhood
My final addition to Luke’s nursery was a decoration circa 1990 from my own baby nursery. Since it looked odd on the gallery wall next to the modern decor, we gave it a spot of its own above the door. Having a piece of my own nursery in my son’s nursery definitely makes me (and grandma) smile big.
I hope you were able to find some inspiration from this post for your own baby haven. Enjoy the process and soon you’ll be making memories in the space you’ve created for your little bundle of joy.
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