Weekend DIY Series: Convert a Spare Room to a Baby Nursery in 2 Days for $200

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.