This post details what we spent on our baby’s nursery (less than $1,000!). Click here if you’d like to see more photos of the space. You can find out how we did those fantastic polka-dots here (for less than $40!) and just click on the links outlined below if you’re interested in another one of our projects. Feel free to subscribe or add us to your Google Reader for more DIY and budget-friendly ideas! Learn more about The Dreamers here.
We’ve talked about our “nursery budget” here and there – but to be 100% honest, we didn’t have a budget. We just tried to cut as many financial corners as we could and DIY as much as possible. Thankfully, many generous people in our lives (we’re looking at you, Grandma and Grandpa! – among many others) hooked us up with much of the big ticket items. We also decided not to redo the flooring, just yet. The beige carpet has no place in our grand plan – but we’re not quite ready to implement said “grand plan” – so it stays for now.
So, how much did the nursery cost, anyway? Good question. Here’s the break down:
- $26 – DIY Valance box
- $39.99 – Chandelier
- $45 – Custom-cut blackout shade
- $59.98 – Curtains
- $22 – “You are my Sunshine” DIY art
- $39.96 – DIY Silver Polka-Dots
- $75 – Leather elephant from local consignment store (half-off because we had credit)
- GIFT – Crib and Mattress
- $9 – DIY Crib skirt (for yard of fabric)
- $35 – faux sheepskin rug from Tuesday Morning
- $19.98 – Ikea frames for baby portraits of Mr. & Mrs. Dreamer
- $45 – Baby Kenton portrait on canvas (via Groupon deal)
- $9 – fabric for detail on frames (used extra for other projects)
- $5.99 – Letter K – painted yellow with leftover spray paint from “Sunshine” art
- $5 – shelf from Crate & Barrel, bought at auction
- GIFT – customized Ping putter
- GIFT – original artwork by Grandma
- $63.98 – DIY Dresser
- NADA – Changing pad/cover were gifts, customized box was DIY with leftover material
- $2.99 – Diaper/Lotion/Desitin/etc box, painted yellow with leftover spray paint
- $39 – SPLURGE! Pottery Barn Bulldog Bank (no longer available)
- $19.99 – Ikea wall basket DIY’d into diaper storage
- GIFT – Best diaper pail EVER
- $21.99 – Book shelf/storage from Tarjhey
- $12 – Wood basket – spray painted
- GIFT – pillows by Grandma
- GIFTS! GIFTS! GIFTS! – people love to buy baby clothes, FYI. Kenton is a well-dressed bambino.
- GIFTS! GIFTS! GIFTS! – people also love to buy baby accessories – and we re-purposed that basket from another gift
- $20 – for two storage baskets at HomeGoods. Everything inside them is, you guessed it, gifts!
- $9.98 – Two pairs of Ikea curtains instead of closet doors (I should have taken better pictures of the closet!)
- NADA – DIY light
- $13 – pillow from Crate & Barrel, discounted using leftover wedding funds (no longer available)
- $20 – table from Crate & Barrel, also discounted using same leftover wedding funds (also, sadly, no longer available)
- $300 – Pottery Barn chair & ottoman scored from Craig’s List
Hi there – I’m 20 weeks pregnant with our first – very excited! I was looking for baby room inspiration and came across photos of your nursery, which is lovely. I greatly appreciate the step-by-step DIY project details you share – thank you! I’ve bookmarked your blog for practical guidance and creative inspiration. 🙂
Congratulations, Samantha! You’re half-way there. 🙂 Glad you find the blog helpful!
I love theleather elephant. I want something similar, but can’t seem to find anything close. You’ve done such a wonderful job with a reasonable budget.
Thank you! I wish I could tell you where you could get the elephant. We knew we had to scoop it up right away when we saw it at a consignment store!
Love the baby’s room. My sister has an elephant theme and I would love to know where you bought the wooden elephant mirror. Thanks!
Sonia – the elephant mirror was a baby gift for my husband (born in 1979!). I asked his family if they remember where it came from and, unfortunately, no one does. Sorry!!!
i love the nursery and the valance you made. i’m not a diy person and was wondering if you ever considered making and selling them? i would love to purchase one just like the one you already made. let me know! thanks!
How flattering, Mary! I sent you an email.
I’m expecting in March and would really like to refinish a secondhand dresser, but am not sure if I can manage the process. Would you mind directing me to the blog where you go through the step-by-step of your diy dresser? I think I can do it, I just need instructions!
Thanks,
mammaAtwood
Sasha – you can do it! 🙂 Here is the blog post on our DIY dresser: https://ourdreamforeclosure.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/dreamy-dresser/. You should also check out this one: http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/03/nursery-progress-refinishing-a-veneer-dresser/
Love the shade of yellow you used! What is the exact Montana gold spray paint color? Thanks!
It is “Cab” – like a yellow taxi cab. I actually matched the yellow to my “Livestrong” bracelet. Hope that helps!
The walls are amazing! If you had known you were going to have a boy, what color do you think you would have picked besides silver? Im thinking i might do a pale blue on two opposite walls…
Lauren – if I knew we were having a boy, I would have done a COMPLETELY different room. (The room I will do for Kenton’s “big boy” room!) The space has a very special, sweet baby feel to it. It honestly feels gender-neutral to me and I plan very little changes for our next bambino. I love the silver though and will definitely keep that! 🙂
Love everything that you did!! I am 20 weeks with a baby girl, but knew I wanted to do grey and white from day one. Thank you for the inspiration!!
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Hi! We are expecting a boy and a girl. Husband is in the Navy, and we are moving next week to Norfolk (I will be 21 weeks as of next). We will most definitely need to be doing our nursery on a budget, and I am creative but could use so much help to become a great “diy-er”! I will be following your blog! I love this bedroom! I know I would like to incorporate grey and white, then use accent colors. Just not sure as to which ones just yet. Thanks for sharing your nursery 🙂