The Frugal Person's Guide to Decorating a Baby Room Cheaply

So, you're going to have a baby! One of the most exciting things about expecting a new baby is creating a space for your little one. Here's a 4 step guide for the cost conscious person that wants to decorate without breaking the bank:

Step 1: Choose a theme, but not a definite color. This is an extremely important step in the process of money saving. Cost and accessibility can dictate the feasibility of a theme. Instead of picking a specific "color", buy for cheap your paint at your local home improvement store in the "oops" section, which is where they put paint "mistakes". You will save significantly. Buying a can of designer paint could cost upwards of $30, but a can of "oops" paint can be as cheap as $4!

Step 2. Buy wall art that you can mix and match. Buy for cheap pieces such as wall decals or wall borders from the dollar store or that are in the Clearance section of a home store. Don't just use the decal as it is, cut out designs or create words from the various styles. You may be able to decorate the entire room for less than $5.

Another way to save on wall art is to buy cheap frames from the dollar store and find high resolution pictures online that go along with your theme. Print the pictures out and put them in the cheap frames for a classy look without the expense. Any cost conscious person can work these pictures to make the walls look great. The only cost, besides the dollar store or discount store frame, is the cost to print out the pictures from online.

Step 3: Layout the space. You need to know what you plan to have in the room before you just start trying to buy all types of expensive stuff. This is how you will decide what you need to buy and what you can do without. Remember that your child doesn't need "all new" stuff. Having gently used items or borrowed pieces can be used and appreciated the same way as brand new stuff. If you don't decide on your needs versus your wants, then you could end up spending lots of money unnecessarily.

Step 4. Shop for free stuff, borrow as needed, and Buy for cheap anything else that you think you want to make your baby room complete. Always check with friends or mommy networks for free stuff or items that can be borrowed. Babies don't use things for too long, so parents almost always are looking for ways to unload the excess. You'll find great free stuff through online classifieds. You simply need to coordinate to pick up the items.

Finally, buy for cheap the rest of the stuff by checking out your local thrift and consignment stores for items that you may be able to mix or match into your theme. But be creative. If it's not the "exact" color that you would like, you could always spray paint the piece exactly as you want it for about $3, or buy or make a basic slipcover, and enjoy.

Use this cost conscious guide to decorate your baby's room into the best place ever for your baby to live and grow...and of course, take advantage of saving, cost-cutting, and every opportunity to buy for cheap!