|
You don't have to spend a fortune to create a beautiful nursery. The key is to spend the bulk of your budget on the things that will last and less on the things you may want to change as your child grows.
- Furniture is often the biggest expenditure for parents setting up a nursery. That is why Young America and the Built To Grow concept is such a smart investment. Cribs designed to convert into a toddler bed, to a day bed, to a twin and then to a double, mean you only have to buy furniture once. That's why we say Built To Grow is Built To Last!
- Like furniture, consider decor that can also "grow" with your child. While pink bunnies and blue bears may be adorable for an infant, your baby will decide he's not a baby long before you do. And in no time at all, he'll be demanding dinosaurs in place of cuddly blue bears.
- One of the biggest expenses in decorating is the labor, so the more you can do yourself, the more you'll save. With a little patience, you can paint the walls (just check with your doctor first) or stencil a border. If you can sew a straight line, you can make simple curtains.
- Have a baby shower and register. It's the best way to get what you really need.
- There are at least three million baby products out there and as a new or expectant parent, it's easy to think you need them all. Talk to other moms and dads. You might think that fifty-dollar diaper disposal system is a "must have" until a mother-of-two tells you she never used it. (Hey, she might even be willing to give it to you!)
- Designer bedding ensembles. Fancy satin pillows. Yes, your baby deserves the best, but save the luxury linens for your room. Pediatricians and sleep safety experts advise against the use of blankets, quilts, pillows, and stuffed animals as they pose a suffocation risk. A crib with a firm mattress and snug fitting sheet is simply the safest choice. Keep baby warm with a zippered sleep sack or snug-fitting fleece pajamas. To be sure, always check with your pediatrician or health care provider.
- Framed artwork can be expensive. Instead, find colorful pictures or photos of family and friends. Have them enlarged at your local copy shop or photo lab and mount them to inexpensive foam board from the craft store. Hang these safe, lightweight objets d' art with removable Fun-Tac and you'll never have to put a nail in the wall.
- One-of-a-kind lamps can be pricey. Dress up a plain, inexpensive lamp or lampshade with paint, stencils, stamps or ribbon. Avoid beads and buttons which can be a choking hazard if they become detached.
|
