With a second baby on the way in a three-bedroom house, HGTV Canada writer Denise Dias decided to convert the family’s only guest room into a stunning nursery fit for a prince. From design choices to hard compromises, learn how she pulled it off without breaking the bank.
![Create a Custom Vibe baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-3.jpg)
Create a Custom Vibe
The guest bedroom didn’t have its own closet and I knew we needed to build one for adequate storage. This was the biggest structural design change to the room and I wanted to achieve a custom look without building a closet from scratch.
![Get a Built-In Look for Less baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-21.jpg)
Get a Built-In Look for Less
I opted for a PAX system without doors from IKEA and had my carpenter build a boxed finish around it for a built-in feel. Excluding closet doors shaved a few hundred dollars from the budget and forced me to style shelves with adorable clothing and accessories.
Costs: PAX closet ($590, IKEA); carpenter fees ($200); animal heads ($30 each, HomeSense); bench ($40, HomeSense)
![Keep the Framework baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-5.jpg)
Keep the Framework
Aside from adding a closet to the space, I wanted to avoid removing or changing anything that would incur additional drywall repair or painting costs. This meant we had to keep the existing wall sconces in place and find a crib that would nicely fit in between.
Related: These Gender-Neutral Nurseries Will Give You New Decor Goals
![Sleep Time Swap baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-19.jpg)
Sleep Time Swap
I found the perfect oval-shaped crib on wheels – an elegant and moveable piece that fits the space like a dream. To give the closet drawers more room to open freely, I replaced the nightstands with much smaller ones. These round ones echo the shape of the crib with soft angles.
Costs: Sleepi Crib ($899, Stokke); sheets ($40, Pehr); nightstands ($168 each, Neat Space)
![Colour Your World baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-23.jpg)
![Artistic Touches baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas9.jpg)
Artistic Touches
Inexpensive picture ledges transform colourful book covers into art, large baskets hold colourful toys and playful art in bronze frames lend an air of sophistication. I searched for artwork and accessories that could grow with baby into his toddler years and beyond.
Costs: Artwork ($237 each, Minted); picture ledges ($10 each, IKEA); storage basket ($40, HomeSense); books ($10-20 each, Indigo)
![Spare Room baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-6.jpg)
Spare Room
A minimalist at heart, my guest room was sparse and simplistic in its design, but newborns require more gear than I remembered. I had to strategically make room for a lot more stuff.
![Cute Corners baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-11.jpg)
Cute Corners
Aside from filling the walls and shelves with lovely, but non-essential items, I had to store larger objects that would definitely come in handy. A sleek baby swing and air purifier are tucked away from immediate view and a must-have big nursing pillow is put away in the dresser.
Costs: Leaf Grow ($400, Nuna); air purifying fan heater ($800, Dyson); mobile ($115, Pehr), nursing pillow ($120, Beaba)
![Room to Grow baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-13-1.jpg)
Room to Grow
Once I removed the queen-sized bed from the space, the room seemed a lot more spacious. I moved the existing dresser to another wall and kept the bench under the window. I decided against bringing in any other furniture to maintain an airy feel.
![Rug Rat baby room décor ideas](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baby-room-decor-ideas-10.jpg)
Rug Rat
A large, luxurious-feeling wool area rug anchors the space and provides a soft area to play. It was hard to resist some of the more baby-ish rugs with playful patterns, but I ultimately went with a classic option in a neutral tone to last the test of time.
Costs: Rug ($500, HomeSense)
TOTAL COST: $4,794
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