Being a new mother is one of the most enchanting, exhausting, and surprisingly expensive things any woman can do. The incredible love you feel for your baby, whether they are already here or still on the way, is something non-parents can only imagine, and you know you are blessed by the opportunity to raise a beautiful little person of your own. Of course, as magical as motherhood is, nurseries don’t build themselves out of love alone. If you’re looking to create an enchanting nursery on a budget, there’s no need to stress about a premade nursery set with all the bells and whistles when your DIY Diva hat will do the job.
Today we’re here to talk about three great DIY nursery ideas that you can build for yourself on a small budget, in a small space, while giving your little one all the care, comfort, and entertainment every child deserves.
1) Fold-Away Change Table
Whether you live in an apartment, condo, cottage, or tiny starter home, sometimes there isn’t as much space for your nursery gear as you might like. But that’s alright! Who said your nursery has to look just like everyone else’s to be perfect for you and your baby? While the crib is an absolute necessity, it turns out the changing table is not. Rather than dedicating an entire dresser of floor space to your padded changing surface, you can build yourself a special comfy shelf that folds away into something decorative and fun most of the time and takes up space only when it’s time for a change.
The best part? Unlike a pre-built dresser or official change-table furniture, your fold-away table can be the exact right height for you and the baby. This could be the perfect solution for both short and tall moms who often have trouble finding a changing surface at a comfortable height.
2) Building a Sensory Board
Fun fact about babies: they are always either learning or sleeping. You can see it clearly in their eyes that those little brains are constantly working overtime to take in and understand the world around them. Even before they start to crawl or babel their first syllables, infants learn from looking, touching, and trying things.
One of the most fun toys you can DIY for your baby is a sensory board (or two or three of them) which provides a safe, fun arrangement of things that have a variety of textures and functions. For your newborn, the sensory board might include something that jingles (keys), something that squishes (rubber ball), and a variety of different-textured fabrics. Because each item is attached firmly to the board, it’s all fun and no risk.
As your baby gets a little older, you can build them sensory boards with manipulables like latches, wheels, and buttons.
3) DIY Nursing Chair Cover
Finally, if you plan to breastfeed, you’ll want to build yourself a nursing haven. This can be done either privately in the nursery itself or, if there’s not enough room, in the living room with a soft nursing wrap for privacy when necessary. Most new moms find that the most comfortable way to nurse is in a big comfy chair with their feet up. Gliders are great because they provide a stabilized way to rock as well.
However, nursing is not always a tidy endeavor. Your baby may need a few tries before they latch and you can expect more than a few dribbles to hit the chair. Rather than worrying about the upholstery, the best solution is simply to make yourself a washable nursing chair cover.
With two or more covers, you can focus entirely on your baby during your special bonding time, and if there’s a little mess, the cover can simply go straight into the wash and be replaced by the second cover for your next feeding.
Building the perfect nursery doesn’t have to break the bank or even take up an entire spare bedroom. Whether you’re starting your family in a studio apartment or a suburban home, hopefully, these tips have given you some inspiration for how you want to build your baby’s nursery.
