7 quick-start nursery ideas that won’t break the bank

“We’d love to create a special nursery for our baby, but our budget is so stretched at the moment. How can we make our baby’s space feel stylish on a shoestring?”

Decorating the nursery without breaking the bank is a key concern for almost 40% of cash-strapped parents-to-be, according to Dulux research.

But with a bit of careful planning, it’s still possible to create the beautiful nursery of your dreams. All you need is a lick of paint, some smart second-hand buys and a plenty of imagination.

Want to know how it’s done? Check out our seven savvy nursery ideas for gorgeous baby rooms on a budget.

1. If you only do one thing… paint the walls!

A little bit of colour can go a long way, and paint is by far the easiest, quickest and most affordable way to transform your nursery.

If you’re starting with white walls, brighten things up with a feature wall in a vibrant hue such as citrus or lime, or keep it sophisticated with versatile grey, or lilac. Anything goes. And with bold colour on the walls you won’t need as many accessories, so you’ll save some pennies too!

Which paints? Try Rouge Red , Maria and Noble Blue

2. Attention to detail

Flashes of colour in unexpected places, like inside of cupboards or shelving, is the perfect way to give your nursery a stylish twist without the designer budget.

Choose a bright colour for an intense colour hit, and unify the look with matching accessories.

Which paints? Try Funny Valentine and Bongo Jazz

3. Give second-hand a fresh look

Not everything in your baby’s room needs to be brand new. Instead of buying a new cot, dresser or rocking chair, give yourself a budget and visit a flea market or local second-hand store and bag yourself a bargain.

And don’t worry if it looks a little bit shabby. A fresh coat of paint in a cheerful hue like sunny yellow, blush pink or fresh green and will give it a new lease of life.

Which paints? Try Sparkler , Bay Coral and Arboretum

4. Personalise the walls

Nothing adds personality to a space quite like a piece of art – especially when it’s an original!

For an easy project, why not try creating a painted headboard at the end of your baby’s crib?

Which paints? Try Mushroom Cap and Summer Lily

5. Focus on one fun detail

Sometimes a single accent – like the cloud stencil on the wall here - is all you need to create a striking space.

If you’re starting with white walls, however, why not burst out the brights and paint the cot or dresser in hot pink or electric blue?

Which paints? Try Western Navajo

6. Replace hardware

Whether you’ve bought a new dresser or are using a hand-me-down, replacing generic draw knobs and handles is an easy and affordable way to personalise your baby’s nursery.

Scour local markets for pretty ceramic knobs that don’t cost the earth and complement the colour of your walls.

7. Accessorise

A lick of paint is the easiest way to transform a dull room into a gorgeous nursery for your baby, but you’ll need a few finishing touches.

Choose cushions and throws to complement the colour of the walls, and create a designer-style look by mixing different textures, such as chunky knits, tactile velvets and soft cottons.

Which paints? Try Spider's Web

Top tip

Decant leftover paint into small, clear jars and seal the top with clear wrap before you put the lid on. Not only will this prevent the paint from drying out, it will make it easier to see what colours you have left.