Is there a new baby on the way and not much time (or money) to convert that spare room into a nursery that your little one will love? Don’t fret-with imagination and a little advance planning, you can do a great conversion job in the space of a weekend and with a budget of $200 or less. Figure $50 to $75 for paint and wallpaper, $25 to $40 for curtains and the balance for a rocking chair and a few pretty pictures found at your local flea market or thrift store. When it comes to budget decorating, treasure hunting can be half the fun!

Begin by deciding on a color scheme, staying away from the “pink is for girls and blue is for boys” approach. Even if you know the sex of your unborn child, those gooey pastels look dated and trite!

If you want to use pink or blue, infuse it with interest by introducing other complementary colors into your design scheme. Other colors that are very popular for a baby nursery are pale turquoise, yellow or green. You don’t need to paint all the walls the same color, either. Using a darker, more vibrant shade on one wall and lighter tones of the same color on the other walls makes a pleasing contrast, especially if the pictures you plan to hang have a little bit of the darker color in them.

You can also provide some interesting and lively paint effects by brushing or stippling walls; both are finishes that give an instant English country ambience that brings to mind Winnie the Pooh or Beatrix Potter. And while we’re on the subject of characters in books, be sure your nursery includes a comfortable rocking chair for middle of the night feedings and book readings. It doesn’t have to be new-in fact, a vintage model bought second hand will add a relaxed and charming touch to your new baby nursery.

Once you’ve got the walls done, it’s time to choose curtains. Tip: For narrow windows, pillowcases can make quick, inexpensive curtains. Simply hang two rods, one at the top of the window and one halfway down, and then attach the pillowcases with curtain clips. No muss, no fuss, no sewing, and you can close the curtains to encourage sleep or leave one or both open for more light. Buy a flat sheet that matches the pillowcases and create a crib dust ruffle quickly by placing it between the crib mattress and frame, adjusting the fabric to form hand pleated gathers as you go.

Other great, inexpensive ideas to add nursery charm:

• Use “little kid” furniture to create a true nursery feel. Buy a small table and chairs (you can often find these at garage sales for under $10) and paint them in a color that coordinates with the walls and curtains. Place teddy bears or other stuffed animals on the chairs until your little one is old enough to sit there.
• Source a fun and bright kids area rug for the floor.
• Find and paint a small bookcase as well. Bolt it to the wall for safety and fill it with children’s books, toys and trinkets for a pleasing display focal point.
• Thread a couple of crystal prisms with clear plastic fishing line and hang them from the top of the window frame. When the sunlight hits them, your baby’s room will be filled with gorgeous rainbows!
• If you have an older child and you want to get them to feel a part of the room décor, have your little one draw a picture or paint a painting that you can frame and hang as whimsical artwork in the new baby’s nursery.

There is nothing more satisfying that infusing your home with unique décor and one of a kind accessories; the kind that you could never find at your local department store or home decorating shop. It is even that much more satisfying when you can create that look with items that are already in your attic or found for a few dollars at a local flea market.

Every house needs mirrors, for checking hair and makeup and to reflect light back into a room. However, have you ever noticed that it is very difficult to find a unique mirror that truly adds something to the room in terms of aesthetic value? Mirrors seem to come in garden variety styles with plain frames in simple shapes.

If you are looking for the perfect mirror for your home, make your own! It can be done in an hour or two and will cost you as little as your time and as much as $50.

You may not have heard the word ‘gesso’ but chances are you own a gesso picture frame that belonged to your grandmother or can spot one at a flea market for just a few dollars. Popular in the Victorian era, gesso picture frames are quite ornate and large and can often be found in irregular shapes such as oval and hexagon. If you get really lucky you might find one with an intricate floral pattern, cherubs or ribbon swags around the frame. If you are antique market hunting, the best deals can often be obtained on empty frames that have no picture or glass, which is perfect because this is all you need to make an exceptional mirror for your home.

You can paint your gesso frame any color that matches your home décor (they look particularly beautiful in creamy white) or you can leave it in its original state for a more antique and authentic look.

It is usually a good idea to source out the gesso frame before the mirror, simply because you never know what frame shape you are going to fall in love with and drag home. Plain mirror is much easier to come across and can be cut to fit your newly acquired frame. If you don’t have a spare mirror in your house, and have had no luck finding one at a yard sale, you can pick up a large, plain mirror at a department store for under $20.

Glass cutters are really simple to use; just be certain to wear protective glasses and work gloves to protect your eyes and hands. Measure the back of the frame to determine how large the mirror needs to be cut. Be sure not to measure too close to the inside edge of the frame and allow at least one inch on all sides for adhering the mirror to the frame.

The easiest method of attaching the mirror to the frame is to use polyurethane glue. You can use contact cement if the mirror and frame together total no more than five pounds. If the weight exceeds five pounds, polyurethane glue is a better solution for safety and a long lasting bond. Always wait at least 24 hours before hanging your mirror to allow the glue time to cure fully.

A picture hanging kit from Wal-Mart costs about $3 and can be attached to the back of your gesso mirror in 10 minutes or less. Choose the perfect wall to display your newly created masterpiece, where you can admire it (and yourself) for years to come.