30 DIY Nursery Decor [Within Budget]

Creating a beautiful nursery for your little one can feel overwhelming, right? With so many options out there, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. 

But don’t stress. In this article, I’ll share some fantastic DIY nursery decor ideas that are not only simple but also budget-friendly. 

Let’s transform that blank space into a cozy haven that reflects your style and love for your baby.

DIY Nursery Decor

Creating a functional and beautiful nursery is essential for any new parent. Start with a calming color palette, choosing soft pastels or neutral tones that promote relaxation. 

Include playful elements like animal or star-themed decorations to spark your baby’s imagination. 

Utilize practical storage solutions such as baskets or shelves to keep essentials organized. Don’t forget to add cozy textiles like soft rugs and comfortable blankets for an inviting atmosphere. 

The right decor not only enhances the room’s aesthetic but also fosters a warm, nurturing environment for your little one.

1. Handmade Mobile

Creating a handmade mobile is a delightful way to add a personal touch to your nursery.

You can use colorful felt shapes, like stars, clouds, or animals, and string them together with a wooden hoop.

Hang it above the crib to give your baby something enchanting to gaze at. You can choose colors that match your nursery theme or go for a vibrant mix to stimulate your baby’s vision.

Making it yourself allows you to infuse love and creativity into each piece, making it a special keepsake.

2. Wall Art with Prints

Transform your nursery walls with custom wall art prints. Choose adorable prints featuring animals, inspirational quotes, or nature scenes.

You can find free printable designs online or create your own using a design software.

Frame them in simple wooden frames for a polished look. This is an easy and cost-effective way to add character to the nursery.

You can swap them out as your child grows, keeping the room fresh and updated without much hassle.

3. DIY Growth Chart

A DIY growth chart is a functional and sentimental addition to any nursery. Use a wooden board, a measuring tape, and paint to create a personalized growth chart.

Decorate it with your child’s name and fun designs, such as trees, animals, or stars. Hang it at a height where you can easily mark your child’s growth milestones.

This not only adds a charming decorative element to the room but also creates a lasting memory as you track their growth over the years.

4. Painted Rocking Chair

Refurbish an old rocking chair with a fresh coat of paint to match your nursery’s theme.

Sand down the chair, prime it, and then paint it in your chosen color. You can add stencils or freehand designs for extra flair.

A rocking chair is a cozy spot for bedtime stories and cuddles, and a personalized paint job makes it a unique piece of furniture.

This project combines practicality with creativity, giving you a beautiful and functional piece for the nursery.

5. Custom Name Banner

Create a custom name banner to hang above the crib or on a wall. Use felt, fabric, or cardstock to cut out letters of your child’s name, then string them together with ribbon or twine.

You can decorate the letters with glitter, buttons, or paint to match the nursery decor.

This banner adds a personal touch and serves as a beautiful focal point in the room. It’s a fun and easy project that can be completed in an afternoon.

6. Fabric Wall Hangings

Fabric wall hangings are an excellent way to add texture and color to the nursery. Choose fabrics that match your theme, such as floral prints, geometric patterns, or pastel colors.

You can create simple banners or more intricate designs with tassels and fringe. Hang them on wooden dowels for a rustic look.

These wall hangings are easy to switch out as your child grows, allowing you to keep the decor fresh and exciting.

7. Stenciled Accent Wall

A stenciled accent wall can dramatically change the look of a nursery. Choose a wall stencil pattern that fits your theme, like stars, polka dots, or trees.

Use painter’s tape to secure the stencil to the wall and apply paint with a stencil brush or roller.

This project can be time-consuming but the result is a beautiful, customized wall that makes a big impact. You can easily repaint when you want to change the room’s look.

8. DIY Shelving

Install DIY shelves to display toys, books, and decor in the nursery. Use wooden planks and brackets to create sturdy shelves that can hold all the essentials.

You can paint the shelves to match the nursery’s color scheme or leave them natural for a rustic look.

Arrange items on the shelves in an aesthetically pleasing way, mixing practical storage with decorative pieces. Shelves are a great way to keep the nursery organized and stylish.

9. Personalized Pillow Covers

Personalized pillow covers can add a cozy and unique touch to the nursery. Use fabric paint or iron-on transfers to add your child’s name, initials, or cute designs to plain pillow covers.

Choose soft, durable fabrics in colors that complement the room’s decor. These pillows can be used in the crib, rocking chair, or as floor cushions for playtime.

They add comfort and personality to the nursery and can be easily updated as your child grows.

10. DIY Toy Chest

A DIY toy chest is both practical and decorative. Use wood to build a sturdy chest, then paint it in your chosen color or theme.

You can add your child’s name or fun designs with stencils or decals.

A toy chest keeps the nursery tidy by providing ample storage for toys, blankets, and other essentials.

It serves as a charming piece of furniture that adds character to the room. This project is perfect for those who enjoy woodworking and DIY.

11. Photo Collage Wall

Create a photo collage wall to celebrate your family and baby’s milestones. Choose a wall in the nursery and arrange a collection of framed photos in various sizes.

Include pictures from pregnancy, birth, and other special moments.

You can add decorative elements like wooden letters, shapes, or small shelves to enhance the collage.

This personalized gallery wall adds warmth and a personal touch to the nursery, making it feel like a cozy family space.

12. Hand-Painted Mural

A hand-painted mural is a stunning way to make a nursery unique. Choose a theme that you love, such as a woodland scene, underwater adventure, or a dreamy sky.

Use acrylic paints and brushes to bring your vision to life on one of the nursery walls.

This project can be as simple or intricate as you want, and it’s a wonderful way to express your creativity.

A mural adds a magical touch to the nursery, creating an enchanting environment for your baby.

13. DIY Pom-Pom Rug

Credit: sayyes.com

Add a soft and colorful touch to the nursery with a DIY pom-pom rug. Use yarn in various shades that match your nursery’s color scheme to create fluffy pom-poms.

Attach them securely to a non-slip rug mat to form a soft, tactile surface. This rug is perfect for playtime, providing a comfy spot for your baby to explore and crawl.

It’s also a fun and cheerful addition to the nursery decor, adding texture and color to the floor.

14. DIY Picture Ledge

Display your favorite nursery prints and photos with a DIY picture ledge. Use a wooden plank, paint it in a color that complements the nursery, and mount it securely on the wall.

Arrange framed prints, photos, and small decorative items on the ledge to create a rotating gallery.

This versatile and stylish display allows you to easily update the decor as your baby grows, keeping the nursery fresh and personalized.

15. DIY Changing Table

Convert an old dresser into a DIY changing table. Sand and paint the dresser to match the nursery decor, then add a changing pad on top.

Use the drawers to store diapers, wipes, and baby clothes. You can add decorative knobs or stencils to personalize it.

A changing table is an essential piece of nursery furniture, and making your own allows you to create a stylish and functional piece that perfectly fits your needs.

16. Custom Curtains

Sew custom curtains to match the nursery’s theme. Choose fabric that complements the room’s colors and patterns.

You can add blackout lining to help your baby sleep better. Use a simple curtain pattern or create your own design.

Adding decorative elements like tassels, ribbons, or trims can make the curtains extra special.

Custom curtains not only enhance the decor but also provide a practical solution for controlling light and privacy in the nursery.

17. DIY Book Nook

Create a cozy book nook in the nursery with a DIY reading corner. Use a small bookshelf or wall-mounted shelves to store books within easy reach.

Add a comfortable chair, floor cushions, or a bean bag for a cozy seating area.

Decorate the space with fairy lights, posters, or wall decals to make it inviting.

A book nook encourages a love of reading from an early age and provides a quiet, relaxing spot for you and your baby to enjoy storytime.

18. Personalized Quilt

Make a personalized quilt for the nursery. Choose fabrics in colors and patterns that match the room’s theme.

Cut the fabric into squares and sew them together to create a patchwork quilt.

You can add your child’s name, birthdate, or other special details with embroidery or applique.

A handmade quilt is a beautiful and functional addition to the nursery, providing warmth and comfort.

19. DIY Light Fixtures

Create DIY light fixtures to add a unique touch to the nursery. Use materials like paper, fabric, or wood to make pendant lights, lampshades, or string lights.

You can find tutorials online for various styles and designs. Choose colors and patterns that complement the nursery decor.

DIY light fixtures add a personal touch and can create a cozy, magical atmosphere in the room. They’re a fun and creative project to work on.

20. Memory Box

Create a memory box to store keepsakes and mementos from your baby’s early years.

Use a wooden or cardboard box and decorate it with paint, fabric, or scrapbook paper.

Label it with your child’s name and birthdate. Fill it with items like hospital bracelets, first shoes, photos, and special cards.

A memory box is a beautiful way to preserve precious memories and makes a lovely decorative piece for the nursery. It’s also a wonderful gift for your child when they grow up.

21. DIY Animal Wall Hooks

Add a playful touch to your nursery with DIY animal wall hooks. Use wooden cutouts of your favorite animals and paint them in bright, cheerful colors.

Attach hooks to the bottom and mount them on the wall at a child-friendly height.

These hooks are perfect for hanging clothes, bags, or toys, keeping the nursery tidy and organized.

They add a whimsical and fun element to the room, making it a delightful space for your little one.

22. Personalized Wall Hooks

Install personalized wall hooks for added storage and decor. Use wooden or metal hooks and paint them in colors that match the nursery.

Add your child’s name or initials with stencils or stickers. These hooks can be used to hang clothes, bags, or toys, keeping the nursery organized.

Personalized wall hooks are both practical and decorative, adding a unique touch to the room while providing functional storage solutions.

23. Fabric Garland

Create a fabric garland to add a whimsical touch to the nursery. Choose fabrics in colors and patterns that match the room’s theme.

Cut the fabric into strips and tie them onto a piece of string or twine. Hang the garland across a wall, above the crib, or along a shelf.

This easy DIY project adds color and texture to the nursery and can be customized to fit any style. Plus, it’s a fun and simple way to get creative with your decor.

24. Hand-Painted Drawer Knobs

Customize drawer knobs with hand-painted designs. Choose plain wooden knobs and paint them with colors and patterns that match the nursery decor.

You can add polka dots, stripes, or tiny animal faces for a playful touch.

Attach the knobs to dressers, cabinets, or closet doors to give furniture a fresh, personalized look.

Hand-painted drawer knobs are an easy and inexpensive way to add character to the nursery and make the room feel special.

25. DIY Dreamcatcher

Craft a DIY dreamcatcher to hang in the nursery. Use a hoop, string, and beads to create the base, and decorate it with feathers, ribbons, and charms.

Choose colors and materials that match the nursery’s theme. Hang the dreamcatcher above the crib or on a wall as a decorative piece.

Dreamcatchers are believed to bring good dreams and positive energy, making them a meaningful addition to the nursery decor. They’re a fun and creative project to work on.

26. Personalized Clock

Create a personalized clock for the nursery. Use a plain clock kit and customize it with paint, stickers, or decals.

Add your child’s name, birthdate, or favorite animals to the clock face. Choose colors and designs that match the nursery’s theme.

A personalized clock is both functional and decorative, helping you keep track of time while adding a unique touch to the room. It’s a fun and creative project that can be completed in the afternoon.

27. DIY Hanging Planters

Create a lush and vibrant nursery with DIY hanging planters. Use macrame hangers to suspend small pots of easy-to-care-for plants like succulents or ferns.

Hang them near a window to catch the light and bring a touch of nature indoors.

You can paint the pots in colors that match the nursery’s theme and add decorative elements like beads or tassels to the hangers.

Not only do these planters purify the air, but they also add a refreshing and serene vibe to the nursery.

28. Handmade Plush Toys

Sew handmade plush toys for the nursery. Choose soft, durable fabrics and create patterns for animals, dolls, or other shapes.

Stuff them with hypoallergenic filling and add embroidered or felt details.

Handmade plush toys are a wonderful way to add a personal touch to the nursery and provide your baby with unique, safe, and cuddly companions.

Making them yourself allows you to create toys that match the nursery’s theme and reflect your creativity.

29. Custom Fabric Bunting

Create custom fabric bunting to add a festive touch to the nursery. Choose fabrics in colors and patterns that match the room’s decor.

Cut the fabric into triangles and sew them onto a length of ribbon or string. Hang the bunting across a wall, above the crib, or along a shelf.

This easy DIY project adds color and cheer to the nursery and can be customized to fit any style. It’s a fun and simple way to get creative with your decor.

30. DIY Crib Skirt

Sew a DIY crib skirt to match the nursery’s theme. Choose fabric in colors and patterns that complement the room’s decor.

Use a simple pattern or create your own design. A crib skirt adds a finished look to the crib and can be used to hide storage underneath.

Making your own crib skirt allows you to customize it to your liking and add a personal touch to the nursery.

It’s a practical and decorative addition that enhances the overall look of the room.