Q: I am four months pregnant with my first child and am starting to work on designing and planning a functional, stylish, soft nursery. The room is 10×12, and I’d like to include a gender-neutral crib under a small chandelier, separate changing table, glider/rocker that reclines, dresser drawers, and maybe a small daybed. For colors, I was thinking of using gray and white, then adding a touch of pink/purple for a girl or blue/green for a boy. Something unique but coordinated. My budget for everything, including bedding and drapes for one window, is $5,000. Help!
A: Even though it seems like a lot of money, you’re probably realizing that a $5,000 budget doesn’t go very far when it comes to redecorating. However, with an appropriate amount of planning and a little bit of elbow grease, it can definitely be done.
Your first goal should be to choose one key item that you want to be the focal point of the room, and build outward from there. No matter how you slice it you’re probably going to spend upwards of $500 for a crib, so why not make that the centerpiece? Start at Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, or Babesta. Or, if you’re looking to make a real investment, Bellini on the Upper East Side sells beautifully made, timeless pieces of children’s furniture. These stores will be good resources for a changing table as well.
Keep in mind that it’s not necessary to limit yourself to places that cater to parents. Many of the items on your list (dresser, daybed, rocking chair) can just as easily be found at traditional furniture showrooms, and often for less than you’d pay at a baby-specific store. And don’t rule out the old standby for affordable home furnishings, Ikea. They sell fantastic daybeds, including several space-saving options with storage drawers underneath.
If you (or your partner!) are cool with rolling up your sleeves, one great way to save money is to buy unfinished wood furniture and do the finishing yourself. In the city, Gothic Cabinet Craft is an excellent place to start, and you’ll also find plenty of unfinished furniture stores online. (Just be sure to choose one that offers free shipping, or you might end up paying more for delivery than for the actual item!) Another do-it-yourself suggestion? Rent a car and take a day trip to an area with lots of antique stores and flea markets. (Central Pennsylvania, for example, is loaded with them.) Purchase a variety of vintage or secondhand pieces (dresser, rocking chair, etc.), then paint them the same color for a unified look. You’ll keep costs down while lending an eclectic, shabby-chic touch to your nursery. If you’re lucky, you might be able to pick up a vintage chandelier on this expedition as well.
For the floor, a large, soft throw rug is a must. Pottery Barn Kids carries a range of choices starting at just $99. Target is also a great resource for rugs that wear well and look much more expensive than they actually are. Even if you’re working primarily in whites and pastels, consider choosing a darker color that can handle high foot traffic and hide potential spills and stains.Another way to save money is by making your own window coverings, or by purchasing fabric and finding a reasonably-priced seamstress to do the sewing. You’ll have lots more choices than with pre-made drapes, and you’ll be able to create soft goods (drapes, bedding, accent pillows, etc) that are exactly to your specifications. Check out the home dec floor at Mood Fabrics, or make a trip to Zarin Fabrics on Grand Street, and head to the upstairs warehouse for great deals. Or, if you really want to keep costs low, consider opting for mini blinds and valances instead of drapes. Valances cost next to nothing since they require very little fabric, and they’re very DIY. (If you can cut and sew in a straight line, you can make a valance!) City Quilter carries an array of fun, whimsical prints that would make for adorable valances. While you’re there, be sure to keep an eye out for fabric that might work for bedding and accent pillows as well. (Not feeling quite so crafty? Giggle stocks tons of baby-friendly blankets, crib bumpers, and more.)
All of the above are essential, of course, but the fun part will be finding decorative touches to make the room your own. Etsy is a great resource for one-of-a-kind nursery decor, including mobiles, throw pillows, decals, lampshades, and crib bumpers. And don’t forget a cute set of prints for the nursery walls!
Rebecca Frey is a costume designer, wardrobe stylist, and personal shopper. She has worked on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and Conan, and is also the owner of Seek New York, a NYC-based company that provides a friendly, low-pressure approach to style and offers personalized shopping tours with licensed NYC guides. Every Tuesday, she answers your most pressing shopping-related quandaries. Need Becky’s help? Email your questions to emily@askanewyorker.com.
