This simple shared space for our baby has worked wonders, we made it happen with a small bedroom and a tiny budget.
1 Samuel 1:27
What you will find in this post!
A Shared Nursery for a Small Home on a Small Budget
This shared bedroom nursery was my dream come true! Being my first baby I had to design a space for him, and it was so much fun.
I wanted something simple and a bit minimalist (due to space) and also I didn’t want to break the bank.
My teacher pay check needed to be stretched!
So, new momma, don’t stress make it work with what you have!
I took months planning and searching the web for the prices and measurements that would work! And I’m here to say that after ONE year, my baby is still loving it and so do I.
It works!
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Jeremiah 1:5
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The Design of this Simple In Bedroom Nursery
The Window Was Problematic in the Design Process
This is the main thing that I had a problem with when I decided to put the crib in our bedroom. Our bedroom had two gigantic windows and no other wall space available.
So what do you do? I guess the crib has to go in front of the window!
I’m a bit crazy but that didn’t seem safe for me. The sun through this window is scorching and I just didn’t want my baby beside a window.
I made it work anyways!
Watch the Video on Youtube
Small Spaces Make the Decisions when Designing
Measurements are the next big thing when designing a shared space. For us it was the window and the space that made us make certain decisions.
Make sure to meausure everything!
I wanted specific things and decided it WOULD be possible, but the dimensions of the furniture had to be reduced.
The Tight Budget for this Shared Bedroom Nursery
As a new mom I didn’t want to buy to many things and regret it in the future. The goal was to spend a little and still enjoy the design of the small space.
Sharing a room with a baby is not easy but it’s possible.
So, if you have big dreams and a tiny budget, don’t give up yet!
The overall budget I had was $350 and it was just for paint, furniture, and decor.
I was successful and ended up spending around $310 dollars. With gifts, new and used items it’s totally possible!
Psalm 8:2
The Color Palette is Neutral for a Reason!
I want more children, and we will be living in our mobile home for a long time, unless the Lord says other wise.
With this in mind I didn’t want to redo this space again.
A space that works for boys and girls is best! This time around it was a beautiful baby boy, but if we ever have a girly girl I can just change the decor.
The goal was cottage views and this green color did it for me! I ended up with a color that looks timeless and it looks different depending on the light of day ( every color does that ha-ha).
The Furniture for this Simple Baby Nursery on a Budget
This crib was the perfect price and size for our small bedroom. I always had the budget in mind but I couldn’t forget the aesthetic.
Available in two colors and it comes with the mattress!
Dimensions: 40″L x 27″D x 35″H / and a 2.75-Inch Mini Crib Mattress
The Furniture Doesn’t have to Steal the Budget!
Proverbs 22:6
It’s a classic white but with a wood accent color that really works well with our colors. I have golds and bright yellows in our bedroom so a warm wood touch is perfect.
I really wanted a changing table and I’m so happy that I didn’t listen to other people who said, “you don’t need one”… it might be the case for others, but this saved my back!
My back was killing me during postpartum and for months after. I don’t know if bending over and over would have made it even worse.
I could NOT find the exact changing table I have, since it’s been a few years, I guess it’s discontinued. I saw a very similar one, but it was really wonky so I found a changing table with a similar style in white.
I still linked it, in case you like it and it’s in your budget.
Matthew 18:10
To Buy or Not to Buy, Stinky Shared Bedroom!
Everyone wonders if a diaper pail is necessary and as a new mom you have to have what you want, sometimes.
I don’t regret getting one but I will say, that once they start to eat more food and less milk, things get smelly. At around 10-11 months I realized the pail is not as effective with the poopy diapers.
I also ran out of the fancy bags, so that might be the issue, nonetheless I linked it for you.
Extra tip for those on a truly tight budget, I got mine at a thrift store (you see the white sticker ha-ha)!
For some people this might be a thing of the past and let me tell you that I found mine used, and at first I didn’t even know what it was.
If you’re into this vintage/traditional look I still think these work well. I personally didn’t want diapers taking cabinet space.
I found a similar one on amazon if you’re interested.
The Details are the Best Part of this Shared Nursery
These shelves were on my must have list. I thought they would be the main decor item and of course it’s functional because that’s important too.
Ephesians 2:10
I was going for a simple nursery design and a little vintage style too. Wood accents were the best for the vibe that my bedroom has going on. Also, I found these new at a thrift store, they were not even open which is amazing!
On another note, I will say that people flip these around to have the shelf turn into a clothing rack and for me it just didn’t work.
Living in a mobile home means that the walls aren’t very sturdy and the drilling in that particular section of the wall was not working. I thought to mention it incase you are looking to hang them upside down, just make sure to find a beam to have it be more stable.
Adding a Touch of Handmade or Vintage Art for the Baby Decor!
- Art work/Frames
For the artwork my main focus for this budget friendly nursery was to put a mix of styles.
Baby art prints are nice, but the more traditional art pieces are my personal favorite. My baby can’t say I want a SpiderMan poster right now… so I get to pick ha-ha.
I got these at a local Good-will, so I have no links for you. Always look in vintage shops and thrift stores if this kind of style rolls with you. And since your on a budget, thrift shopping is the key to save lots!
It’s hard to find the right prints! If you’re like me the look, quality and price matter a lot.
Ephesians 6:1-3
The cheapest way to go is to buy them as a digital file and print them at Walmart or CVS! After that just look for some affordable frames online or at Goodwill.
Another way to make work with a tight budget is to draw it yourself, watch a tutorial or even have a friend or teen/kid who can draw volunteer to help you out.
One of my old students drew a cute cat for me. I loved it and it looked great, but I decided to not put it up only becuase I had another style in mind. Hey, I might put it up for the next round!
Watch the Full Video to See the In Bedroom Nursery
Like the artwork, this mirror you see was purchased years back from a thrift store. I shopped my own house and found something that went with my idea for the small shared nursery.
- Vintage Mirror (similar style)
I will tell you that I picked a small mirror because of the weight!
It was going directly on top of the crib and I was concerned about it falling down at one point. That has never happened yet, but I went with light weight for that reason.
It was also my top pick because of the tight budget, and I don’t regret it.
Protecting The Small Nursery Space from the Elements!
I love these curtains for this small in bedroom nursery, it would have NEVER worked without them.
And I will say that I have never looked so hard for the right quality, price and functionality. When you have a budget but also a NEED, then priorities must be front and center.
These are still affordable compared to other black out curtains, BUT I’ll be real with you… I had NEVER bought curtains over $20 dollars in my life! That doesn’t mean I didn’t want some $100 dollar ones with a cute design, but self- control is where you must live sometimes.
I love them still, even after a year!
It’s Important to Keep Things Fresh!
These are the matching set. They come in separete packs for some reason. It’s tempting to purchase more but honestly when you are on a budget two are all you need.
Wash one and put the other one. When accidents happen you will be happy you have two!
Cottage Vibes is What I wanted,Pastel Green!
The paint is called Cottage Hill, and I think it has the perfect name for the mood I wanted to achieve in this nursery.
Having a different color on the wall was a separation and visual element that helped me feel like it was two different spaces, even though it’s in one bedroom.
The Secret Space of this Small Shared Baby Room
Yup, the rocking chair had to live in the bathroom! With the limited space sometimes you have to be different.
This was my dream! I like to read and also breastfeeding was in the plans, so a comfy spot was on my list.
Sadly it was not going to happen in a shared nursery! Having a bedroom that’s actually big enough for everything a traditional nursery has is hard to come by.
My dreams were almost crushed, but our bathroom saved us. We ended up putting the rocking chair in the bathroom. Not the best idea… but that’s what we had! Also it was gifted to us, so double the blessings on this one.
The moral is to keep on praying, looking and someone might just donate something you need. These run in the $$ high numbers, but some more affordable picks still exist.
The one I linked is on amazon!
Share your Baby Nursery Ideas too!
If this article was helpful let me know in the comments. Also, make sure to share anything that could help another momma to be.
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