Bedrooms on a Budget

Kitting out a child’s bedroom can be extremely pricey, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re returns at a discounted price. Wayfair often sells starting with a blank canvas or upgrading furniture as returned furniture at 25% off, for example, and most your child grows, these tips from Kate Duggan might items are in perfect condition. help you to stick to your budget… At www.nnwarehouse.uk, you’ll find furniture Look for quality furniture second-hand from children’s brand Noa & Nani at knock-down If you want furniture to last, look for plain, solidly prices. In exchange for accepting a minor cosmetic built furniture. We bought my daughter’s chest of imperfection (e.g. a small scratch or dent), you could drawers when she was a baby. It’s plain white, but save over 50% on the RRP. At the time of writing, a we stuck some removable decals on to ‘prettify’ it. grey single bed is on sale at £39, rather than the usual And, as it’s decent quality, it’s lasted well (she’s now £129. There’s also a bunk bed for £89, a wooden toy eleven). It was second-hand and cost well under £50 box for £20 and lots more. – contrast this to the new chest of drawers bought Think of resale value subsequently at twice the price, but of nowhere If you’re buying for the short term and don’t fancy a near the same quality. So my top tip is, buy decent customer return, look for brands that you can easily furniture second-hand rather than cheap furniture sell on again. Ikea’s Kallax storage units, for example, new. seem to hold their value well and are robust enough Solid pine furniture lasts for years and is easily to withstand a few knocks. available second-hand. You can paint it with chalk Decorating on the cheap paint and update it in different colours as your child’s Pick up some wooden picture frames from a charity tastes change. I picked up an ugly (but well-built) shop and paint them in different coordinating bureau for £12 a couple of years ago. The result of colours. If you’re decorating a baby or toddler’s some chalk paint and new handles is an attractive, bedroom, cut out an applique from an outgrown or unique piece of furniture that could be passed down stained Babygro or T-shirt. Once framed, it looks like to future generations. a handmade (expensive) piece of art. You could also Facebook, eBay and Gumtree are good places to try sticking colourful buttons on some cardboard in look for furniture, as are Freecycle and local charity the shape of your child’s initials and then framing it. warehouse stores. I’ve also picked up bargains at my Or just use pictures from a calendar or even a comic. local tip. You may have a limited budget, but with a bit of Look for customer returns perseverance and imagination, you can give your child Prefer to buy new? Some stores offer customer a room to be proud of. To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122 33