If you are on a budget but want to make your new arrival’s room beautiful – why not make use of second hand, more inexpensive baby furniture?

You do not always have to buy expensive furniture for it to look beautiful, you can buy cheaper furniture by different means;

WHOLESALE SHOPS

If you prefer new furniture, a wholesale baby furniture shop focuses on buying in bulk direct from the manufacturers, cutting out the mark up that a retail store will put on the item. One example of a wholesale baby shop is Baby Furniture Direct in Sandton, Johannesburg. Visit their website @ www.babyfurnituredirect.co.za to see their prices, furniture and also their specials. They buy directly from the manufacturer and sell on their premises.

Another way of buying cheaper you can make use of a variety of resources like the internet, newspapers or classified ads. You can use Google to search for your description in your area. Local newspapers as well as online classified sites like Gumtree will have notifications of garage sales, auctions and pawn shops in your area. There you will pick up new and second hand items at a reasonable price.

The advantages of these auctions and garage sales is that you might find what you are looking for that is as good as new. We all know that not many children spend the first two years actually in the crib – there is always place on mommy and daddy’s bed for a cuddle and a cuddle becomes a the baby cannot sleep unless on your chest. You know the rest. Many times the parents buy the complete set of furniture but use some for only a few months like the bassinet, which they then sell. So many of the furniture pieces might be slightly used but virtually new. Of course they cannot sell it as a new item so will be hugely discounted. Sales can be right through year but is usually on a weekend for working parents to be able to shop as well.

Some stores or retailers can also offer huge discounts for products that are end of range and you will find out about them through the internet or your local newspaper.

As childrearing, from the first thing like the baby room, can be very expensive, it will be best if you can see where you can save from day one. We are not saying you have to buy shoddy, broken furniture, but buy something in your price range. Sometimes all the item needs is a quick sanding and a coat of fresh paint. The nice thing about second hand furniture is that you will not be scared to decorate it, other than with new furniture. You can always take plain curtains and sew on a couple of flowers, dolls or cars to make it look like new. If you like a more modern baby room and not a classic one, you can paint your second hand furniture with whatever colour you prefer and stick pictures or stickers on to compliment your theme.

There are so many craft shops out there, it will be very easy to find ideas for your baby room – it doesn’t always have to be classic white...