Every little girl deserves the royal treatment, but it can get costly. No need to worry. You can create a princess royal suite on a paupers budget.

Here are a few tips to help create the perfect princess room without spending a lot of money.

Paint can become costly, especially if the room is large. Try just touching up areas that need it. If her room is in desperate need of repainting, try purchasing returned paint. Some home stores may have cans of paint that were returned and they resell at a discounted price. Another option is to paint stripes on the wall. You will use half the paint you would have needed to paint the entire room and add a decorative touch to the room. If stripes aren’t your style, trying painting the lower half of the walls and then adding a handpainted or wallpaper border to the top of the painted area. Again you are using half of the amount of paint and adding a decorative touch.

If you are starting from scratch and need furntire to fill the room, you have several options here as well. Visit flea markets and rumage sales for dressers and bed frames. You can paint the pieces to match each other. Get creative by adding her initials to the furniture pieces or adding wall stickers to them. White, pinks and purples are the basic princess colors. If you have a toddler, you can find a princess bedroom kit for about $150 or so. It usually includes a princess themed toddler bed, toy storage chest and a table and chair set. The bedroom in a box needs assembly and can range in what is offered.

If you already have outdated or worn furniture, you can spruce them with some paints and decals for a new and fresh look. Find images of princess furniture online and try to duplicate using paint. This could save you hundreds of dollars in new furniture alone.
To fill the walls you can visit your local superstore and buy princess themed posters that cost less than $5 each. The posters are fairly large and will cover a large portion of wall space. Try adding it to an inexpensive poster frame for an extra touch.

Wall sticker decals are fairly popular and are inexpensive. You can spread them around the room or add to one wall for a dramatic effect. Either way, you have wall decor at a low cost.

Princess Bedding can be expensive, so you can try solid colored bedding in pink or purple and then purchase a princess themed pillowcase or throw pillow. Keep an eye out for sales on bedding at the local stores to get a good price.

Decorating your daughters room to fit a princess theme doesn’t have to be expensive. Remember that not all items have to be princess. Bedding and window treatments can be solid colored and then add princess themed touches around the room. Princess themed rugs, accent pillows, wall decals and posters make the perfect accessories for your daughter’s royal princess suite.

So you’re expecting a new little bundle of joy. Congratulations! You’ve cleared out the small bedroom near yours and you’re ready to set up your baby’s room. Here are some suggestions that will keep baby safe and comfortable and not cost a fortune.

Safety is the number one factor in a baby’s room. Check out the safety guidelines before buying or borrowing a crib (see Baby Crib Safety Checklist). Use your money to buy things that will last at least a few years, such as a crib that converts to a toddler bed and a small dresser. You may choose to use a cradle in the early months and keep it by your bed, but eventually you will need a crib.

Other baby furniture includes a changing table and a high chair. And don’t forget a comfortable rocking chair (with arms) for late-night feedings or to rock-a-bye baby a fussy infant to sleep.

In setting up the room, make sure everything you’ll need will be close at hand, so you never have to leave baby alone — even for just a moment! — on the changing table.

One of the biggest expenses in fixing up a nursery is the labor, so the best way to save money is to do it yourself! Refinish and paint (lead-free!) furniture, sew curtains (you can use cute baby print sheets), and get grandma to knit baby blankets. Paint the walls in light shades (with washable paint) in a color that will “grow” with the child. If you love wallpaper but can’t imagine doing a whole room yourself, trying decorating with a wallpaper border on painted walls or stencil a design around the windows, ceiling and doors. The room can look “done” by a decorator if you coordinate wallpaper and fabrics for a wall hanging, quilt, and window coverings.

If friends will be throwing you a baby shower, register for some things to decorate the room, such as bedding, crib accessories (bumper pads, mobiles), and bright colored toys or stuffed animals.

Use baskets, drawers, and shelves to store toys, clothing, and other infant essentials. Expand storage space by putting shelves or a small dresser in the closet.