Baby Furniture for the Frugal Mom and Dad

When new parents think of purchasing items for the nursery, the thought of buying baby furniture typically causes a new parent to panic. With all of the current expenses, visions of deeper credit card debt can make any new mom or dad break into a sweat.

However, there are ways to cut corners, and make furnishing the baby's room less expensive. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking frugally before rushing out to purchase furniture for your baby’s room.

The crib
New parents may think they need both a bassinet and a crib. The frugal shopper will choose to skip the bassinet, which is typically viewed as a luxury. The crib is a necessity, but the bassinet is only used for a few months, and is then stored in the garage.

When shopping for a crib, keep your eyes open for a bargain on a convertible style crib, which can transform from a crib, to a toddler bed, and then a full size bed. If you can invest in a convertible crib, it would alleviate the cost of a bed in the future.

The Dresser
Baby’s dresser is an item that can often times be picked up at a yard sale. Thrifty shoppers know that purchasing a full-sized dresser is more economical than buying a small dresser. Remember that you will eventually have to turn the baby room into a child's bedroom, and a smart investment now can grow with your child through the years. Don’t be afraid to buy an older dresser. An older dresser can be as good as new with just a coat of paint and some cute new hardware picked up at the local home improvement store.

Changing Table
The changing table is a luxury for the frugal shopper. Check places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill as well as yard sales. These tables are often discarded when the baby outgrows them. Another option for a frugal changing table is to convert a full-size dresser into a changing table. This is easily done by purchasing a thick changing pad (I got one that was curved like a half pipe to keep the baby from rolling) from a baby or discount store. No need to cover this with the expensive fitted covers - one of the many baby blankets that you'll be receiving as a gift will also do the job! There are also inexpensive organizers that can hang down the side of the dresser. The changing table is an item some moms choose to do without, and, instead, set a blanket on the floor to change their babies on.

I am sure in a perfect world, we would all appreciate the luxury of going out and buying everything we need at a baby boutique. However, the reality is that baby does not need the most expensive furniture. Your baby needs only one thing, and that is you.