Good news! Creating a nursery that gives you joy doesn’t have to break the bank or consume every weekend until the baby arrives.

As a nonprofit business leader growing her first business and her first human, I was torn. I wanted to create a space that welcomed my child into the world, but I also had limited time, money, and creativity—not to mention, absolutely no DIY abilities.

I was inspired by the neutral hues, DIY projects, and mid century modern designs that filled my Pinterest boards, but I lacked the capacity and finances to realize those expectations. As guilt crept in , I was forced to take stock of what truly matters in order to harness my resources effectively and walk away with a space I loved. In the end, it took me about eight hours to create my baby room and I only spent $150 total.

Here are 11 budget-friendly and time-friendly nursery design ideas for the “uncreative mama,” designed to elevate your child’s well-being along with your own.

Tip #1: Decide your “why” when decorating.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the interior design expectations set by influencers on Instagram and Pinterest. How do you decide what direction to take your nursery? The first step is to decide what is important to you about the space you are creating for the baby.

Maybe you are a very practical person, and your top priority for the nursery is creating a simple, functional space. Prioritize investing in items that will grow with your child and making sure you have everything you need before the baby comes.

If your goal is to create a peaceful place to nurse your baby, then you might want to focus on bringing in calming colors and things that make you relaxed and happy, such as a few plants.

Tip #2: View consignment as your best friend.

Creating a beautiful nursery on a budget is possible. As time allows and as you have “nesting” energy, pop by your local consignment shop. Raid nearby garage sales for must-have baby items. Make good use of Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores.

My mother-in-law found a high-quality crib at a local garage sale on her morning walk. It retailed for a whopping $750 new, but she got it for only $50 used. It had some scratches and teeth marks, but nothing a little soap and water couldn’t sanitize.

I’ve come to love the fact that used items are already broken in because they remove the stress of scrapes and spills. Of course, before purchasing, be sure to check the items for recall measures to ensure they are safe to use.

Tip #3: Purchase items that can serve multiple purposes.

When purchasing new nursery items, think about ways you might be able to repurpose the item. Consider buying a convertible crib that can be changed into a toddler bed and eventually a twin bed. Buy storage items that could be moved to your living room and used for your ever-growing collection of toys.

When I discovered my neighbor had left a teak dresser out for bulk pick-up, I realized it could be used for my son’s nursery and later repurposed as an entryway table, TV console, or toddler dresser. Knowing the furniture piece could have multiple purposes gave me peace of mind that I wasn’t going to waste valuable space or end up dealing with the hassle of storing it or reselling it right away.

Tip #4: Functionality is key.

When purchasing items, keep function primary and design secondary. Think about the position of the crib, ensuring you can see it without having to open the door more than a crack so you can avoid disturbing your little one’s sleep. Consider keeping clothing items and diapers within reach of the changing area so you can keep one hand on your wiggling baby while digging in the drawer for a fresh onesie.

If this is your first child, you may not yet know what functions are key just yet, and that’s okay. You’ll keep experimenting with this as your baby’s needs change from month to month.

Consider asking another mom to take a quick tour of your nursery to provide pointers. I asked a friend who has three children to take a look at mine. She gave me the idea of moving the diaper pail close to the changing table and positioning the glider near the crib for smooth nap transitions.

Tip #5: Family heirlooms are a hidden treasure trove of unique and meaningful nursery decor items.

Give family keepsakes new life by adding them to your baby room. Ask your mom or a mother figure in your life if they’ve saved any baby items they’d love to see your child enjoy.

My mother-in-law gave us my husband’s old baby hats along with a 90s-themed hat rack, which she lovingly painted herself as a young mom some 30 years ago. Hanging these heirlooms on the wall reminds me of the legacy of love that brought my son into this world and humorously reflects my son’s nickname, “Cap”.

Tip #6: Eclectic is homey.

If you’re worried about items going together—don’t. An eclectic nursery can be homey, inviting, and authentic. Somehow, that gray glider you got from Facebook Marketplace will go with the coffee-brown crib you thrifted from a neighborhood garage sale.

My guess as to why this works is that you picked it. You are the thread that pulls it all together.

Tip #7: Ask a creative family member or friend to make something from scratch.

My younger sister loves to unwind at the end of the day by watching a favorite sports team while cross-stitching—it’s an odd combination, but it works for her. She decided to make a cross-stitch that displayed my son’s birth date and name.

Do you have a friend or family member who loves to quilt, sew, or knit? Consider asking this person to create something special for your baby. With every stitch, your friend or family member will get to pour love into your little one’s nursery.

Tip #8: Don’t be afraid of color, patterns, and textures—babies love them!

Neutrals are in style these days, but my son doesn’t care much for his soft cream blankets or gray elephant mobile. Instead, his eyes light up at vivid multi-colored toys, books, and wall decorations. So I decided to thrift a brightly-checkered play gym for his room, which has offered him endless hours of discovery and enjoyment.

It isn’t until around 5 months of age that your child’s perceptions of depth and color are fully developed. This means you have plenty of time to add new items to your nursery—and may even have a better sense of what captivates your child’s interest as he or she grows.

Tip #9: Don’t stress if your nursery is sparse, bare, or small.

When my son was born, I didn’t have much on the walls. All I had were the bones of the room, like the glider, crib, and changing table. I worried that if I didn’t decorate the room entirely by the time he was born, the room would remain sparse and bare.

After all, I would be spending all my time keeping a little human alive. What energy would be left over to decorate a room?

It’s true that you will be investing tremendous amounts of energy in your child’s care, but you’d be surprised by the wave of inspiration that may strike you as you rock your baby during nap time.

Tip #10: Put baby room items on your baby registry.

Let friends contribute to your nursery by adding a couple of baby room items to your baby registry. Think about any decor items you’d love to include in your nursery that are a bit more expensive or that you’d really like to be new rather than thrifted.

At my baby shower, I requested people buy their favorite baby book instead of a card. I then purchased two white picture ledges from Ikea for about $35 where I now display dozens of baby books. It’s an easy storage hack and provides a fun decoration for my son’s baby room. Whenever I look at the stack of books decorating my walls, I am reminded of my village.

Tip #11: Don’t do something if it adds unnecessary stress.

It’s easy for the scope of your nursery project to expand. You may view the arrival of your baby as a great excuse to get new carpet or switch out baseboards or apply a fresh coat of paint.

If the project gives you life, then by all means do it. But if the project adds stress or overwhelms you, give yourself permission to simplify or let the project go.

Instead of installing a new carpet, buy a rug! Instead of switching out baseboards, apply a fresh coat of paint. Instead of painting your nursery, or your entire house, for that matter (I see you, ambitious nesting mama!), think about what’s easiest and absolutely necessary. Get to the heart of what is truly important for your child’s well-being and your own.

An ever-changing staging ground for your child’s adventure.

You may feel pressure to finish your nursery early on in your pregnancy. But this can add a lot of unnecessary pressure to a schedule that is already brimming with other important priorities. Rather, view your nursery as a “living space” that is never complete and always adapting to meet your child’s needs and interests.