We’re expecting. And like many moms-to-be, I find myself combing the web and daydreaming about all kinds of decorating ideas for her nursery.  What I’ve discovered: Decorating a baby nursery can be rather expensive.

A couple years back, a UK study indicated that the average family spends a whopping average of $7,000 before baby’s first birthday and most of it was on decorating the baby nursery and baby apparel. Call me practical but, even if we did have that money at our disposal, we’d much rather spend it on our baby girl’s future hopes and dreams, whatever they may be.

My thrifty core will not allow me to pay full price for any baby furniture so you better believe that in addition to hand-me-downs I am taking full advantage of any web deals like this Bed Bath and Beyond coupon for 20% off. With this Bed Bath Beyond promo code, I was able to save big on my pack and play purchase. Score.

Here are some ideas I thought up for decorating a baby nursery.

#1 Repurposing existing furniture-There was a dusty brown dresser we had in our garage that we converted into a baby dresser. My husband sanded it down, hammered and nailed any loose ends into place, painted and varnished it. A couple Lowes coupons helped us save in the tools department too.

#2 Remembering the past-There are so many childhood memories that are surfacing as our daughter’s arrival approaches. To add a personal touch to her baby nursery, I scanned and printed vintage photographs of my husband and myself when we were babies. I outsourced my printing and used Shutterfly coupons but a good laser printer could produce a similar result. I also used a bunch of old picture frames I had in a box for the photographs.

#3 Reducing painting costs-Chances are, our daughter’s personality will change as she grows and painting her room lavender could prove to be ultra-expensive when, at age 4, she reveals to me that her favorite color is lime green. Instead of the headache of a huge painting project, I’ve decided on using a few wall stencils for accenting and may add some more picture frames (see #2) with fun characters to liven things up. If I do buy more picture frames, I can find really fun ones for under $5 at Sears.

Saving Tip: There’s a Sears coupon code for $5 off minimum purchase. Click here.

#4 Reprogramming myself-Before pulling the trigger on any baby-related purchases I ask myself a few questions.

How will this benefit our baby?

How will this benefit me?

I remind myself that, more than anything else in the world, our baby will benefit from love.

The rest is just…décor.

Because the truth is that toys are NOT just for kids anymore. Maybe you have been working so hard burning the midnight oil that you have somehow missed how many grown men today own video games. And perhaps you have somehow overlooked the batteries-needed toys and other silly tchotchkes that seem to accumulate in every cubicle in this country, standing proudly next to over-sized coffee mugs with outlandish slogans. The reality is that the toy market has really been coming through these days; absorbing new technology as is comes out, to make some of the most innovative products out there. And you don’t have to break the bank, either.

Innovatoys, for example, sells an electronic crab sensitive to touch, light, and sound, which scouts and navigates around obstacles, seeking out a shady spot with lifelike fervor, for under $20. And it is not just these cutting-edge electronic toys we need to mention here.
Many companies are also creating “designer toys”; limited-series toys, models, and figurines with compelling and topical subject matter that will surprise the average “Toys-R-Us” shopper. And these designer toys are not just for geeks, collectors, and people who plan to leave them in the box up on some display shelf either. Playful, contemporary, and some even interactive; there is a toy for every adult taste out there. And the best news? No age maximum to play!

Check out Kidrobot to find designer toys like De La Soul figurines, for the music buff who already owns every song iTunes has to offer. Give your feisty work friend, who is still smarting after having to kick her latest ex to the curb, a “Mini Munny”; a sort of blank-canvas figurine which she can draw on to create his likeness, which you can both then ceremoniously put under the back wheel of her car. Whatever you do with your new toys, the point is that times have really changed; today’s toys are more about wit, creativity, and customization, and, most importantly, are for adults even more than for children. So the next time you need to fork over a gift to show your undying gratitude, you might as well show off your trend savvy as well, and give a toy.