18 Budget-Friendly Nursery Ideas

When it comes to nurseries these days, less is often more—good news for those of us on a tight budget. But in a time where clean, simple spaces are winning the day, how do you make your nursery stand out? What is the difference between a so-so nursery and a so-chic nursery, and just how much does that difference cost?

Usually, it comes down to a single element or two—a stunning accent wall or statement-making accessory that brings all the style, glamor, and drama to the design. But while a fancy wallpaper print or eye-catching focal piece can make your design, it can also blow your budget, leaving little to spend on necessities.

Want to amp up the drama in your design for less? You will need to get creative. These amazingly clever, budget-friendly nursery ideas offer all of the glam of a professionally decorated nursery space without the hefty price tag.

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Washi Cross Wall

Everything Emily

Whether you are renting your space or working with a tight budget, Washi tape can work decorating miracles. It goes on easy and comes off clean, and with dozens of colors and patterns to choose from, the possibilities are practically limitless. Need proof? Just look at this stunning Washi-tape accent wall designed by a military mom (she has become a temporary decor genius) Emily of Everything Emily. Chic, modern, and totally temporary, it is the perfect alternative to pricy, permanent wallpaper.

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Ice-Cream Dream

Steph Bond-Hutkin | Bondville/ Pinterest

This budget-friendly Pinterest find is a sweet as its theme. Use brightly colored strips of washi tape to create this adorable sprinkle accent wall. The cherry on top? You will have more than enough money left over for treats.

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Candy Stripe Washi Wall

Ann Kelle

Just when you think you have seen the limits of what washi tape can do, another clever DIYer takes a design risk that pays off in a big way. This show-stopping, candy-striped accent wall, featured on Design Dazzle, is made entirely of—you guessed it—washi tape. Bright, budget-friendly, and totally removable, it’s a great option for a nursery or kid’s room.

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Technicolor Dream Room

Nicety

Nervous about the time and money involved in painting your little one’s nursery? Why not keep things simple and dress up an all-white space with a rainbow of colorful accessories. This bright and cheery toddler room posted to LiveJournal by Nicety proves that a little bit of color can go a long way, creating a clean and contemporary effect that’s anything but dull.

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Simple Crib Canopy

Home with Lo

A crib canopy is a great way to boost your design without breaking the bank. Suspended from three wall-mounted brackets, this gauzy fabric canopy from Home with Lo features a string of twinkling fairy lights for baby to enjoy at night. Too cute!

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Frame Your Space

Project Nursery

Looking for inexpensive wall décor? Look no further than your local thrift store. A collection of second-hand frames painted in soft pastels and mounted to the wall above the crib make for a beautiful wall display in this pretty vintage girl’s room featured on Project Nursery.

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Sponge Paint Polkadots

OhOh

These inexpensive and easy-to-recreate sponge-paint polka dots bring a shower of color to a simple white space. Going dotty over this look? All you need is a few kitchen sponges, some paint, and this detailed photo tutorial by OhOh.

How to Sponge Paint a Room

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Metallic Gold Decal

Project Nursery

A dusting of metallic gold decals adds a touch of glam to this sweet, feminine nursery space featured on Project Nursery. Inexpensive, easy to install, and even easier to remove, polka-dot decals add all the bang of a print accent wall for way less buck.

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Sharpie Wall

Preparing for Peanut

If you feel you cannot afford chic patterned wallpaper, then go buy a Sharpie. According to Becky, the multi-talented mom and blogger behind “Preparing for Peanut (s ),” this gorgeous, tribal-themed accent wall took just a few hours to make. The cost? A whopping $5. Sharpie Paint Pens come in multiple sizes and colors and can be purchased at your local craft store. You can even buy metallic pens, which are perfect for adding a little glam to your project.

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Herringbone Accent Wall

View from the Fridge

Lack a steady hand? You can still create your own one-of-a-kind patterned accent wall using paint and some carefully placed masking tape. This gorgeous herringbone wall created by Katie of View from the Fridge is a paint-and-peel beauty. Simply lay out the pattern with tape, paint over it, and peel it off for swoon-worthy results. For more tips, including Katie’s secret must-have product for creating clean tape lines, see the full tutorial.

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Washi Tape Mountain Mural

Kimberley Shaw-Goss/Pinterest

If you prefer a more whimsical wall mural but do not have the time and money to invest in a full-scale art project, consider getting creative with a little bit of washi tape. This washi-tape mountain range spotted on Pinterest adds the perfect touch to a clean and modern boy’s room.

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Charming Washi Village Mural

Terrfemina

A cozy reading corner featured on Terrafemina gets an imaginative update with a charming row on tiny washi-tape houses.

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Magic Carpet

Megan Welker/ Glitter Guide

Need a quick and easy way to dress up a plain-Jane space? Make a statement with a beautiful patterned rug. A colorful, hand-woven wool rug channels a desert sunset, bringing Southwestern charm to this simple, Boho design nursery space spotted on Glitter Guide.

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Paper Flower Mural

Glitter Guide

A dramatic bouquet of gorgeous paper flowers makes for a stunning focal point in this soft, chic, and ultra-feminine nursery featured on Palm Beach Lately. Want to create your own beautiful 3D paper wall art? Check out this detailed tutorial from The Sway.

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Chalkboard Wall

Helen Sturesson

Who doesn’t love chalkboard paint? A quick coat can transform a boring, empty wall into a fun and imaginative canvas and all for the cost of a single can of paint. This laid-back, play-focused space created by Helen Sturesson and featured on Paul and Paula boasts a floor-to-ceiling chalkboard wall, which stands in stylish contrast to the room’s pale pink and white palette.

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Cozy Canopy Corner

Stylish_Bump/ Instagram

Inexpensive and easy to install, a canopy tent, like the one featured in this beautiful nursery, makes a dramatic difference to a space. It adds color and texture while creating a functional area for your little one to enjoy. Need to save a few bucks? Make your own.

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Tribal Nursery Accent

I Spy DIY

You’ll love this cheap and easy DIY idea! This on-point arrow wall, created by Jenni Radosevich of I Spy DIY, also makes use of the masking tape paint-and-peel method. Outline your design in tape, paint over the top, and then remove the tape to reveal your tribal print masterpiece.

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Focal Prints

Project Nursery

Oversized wall prints, like the cute bunny portraits featured in this sweet neutral space from Project Nursery, are turning out to be a definite trend for 2018. While some of these prints can be costly, you can easily get the same look by framing inexpensive posters or printing your own digital downloads at your local print shop.