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DIY crafts for every nursery

Having trouble finding baby furniture at your baby store? Those that fit into your rustic-inspired nursery ideas, anyway – courtesy of Pinterest. Or Disney-inspired ones, even. Don’t wait around to find something that suits your aesthetic. You can DIY nursery furniture at home, with limited tools, experience, and hardware. All you need is a little patience and the right resources—like these fun, DIY baby crafts that we’ve compiled to help you better personalize your baby’s space. 

A colorful nursery dresser 

If you want a dresser for your baby’s nursery, but you’re not finding what you’re envisioning for your nursery in the store, opt for a plain and/or thrifted dresser and then make it your own. It’s as easy as paint, drawer knobs, and an afternoon of your time. 

Follow a tutorial for a gradient dresser to get an ombré look on a budget. 

A space-saving bookshelf

woman hanging shelf
Troyan/Shutterstock

If you really want a bookshelf (or a simple decor shelf) in your nursery but are running low on both wall and floor space, make good use of your nursery’s corners with this DIY craft. You will need to make a trip to the hardware store, but the supplies required are minimal, and the DIY project is pretty beginner-friendly. It’s also a great weekend afternoon project for you and your spouse. 

Once the shelves are complete, you can stock them with favorite picture and board books, stuffed animals, and other nursery decor. 

A fluffy, comfy rug

Rugs are one of those pieces of home decor that can be surprisingly expensive for a simple piece of fabric. Make your own DIY pom pom rug that uses scrap yarn and comes together in a flash. The result is a comfy, cozy, totally unique item for your baby’s nursery.

Simple storage solutions 

child playing
Studio Romantic / Shutterstock

When it comes to outfitting your nursery, you’re probably going to end up with a lot of odds and ends that you need to store. You could go with a plain, plastic storage bin that slides on a closet shelf or under the bed, or you could make your own simple storage solution that’s both functional and fashionable. These fabric storage baskets are totally customizable and, when you’re not using them, can be folded down for tucking away; out of sight and out of mind. 

A whimsical lighting option 

If you already have one or two lamps or other lighting options around your nursery, don’t continue adding your standard lighting fixtures when you have the option of creating a gorgeous and whimsical DIY light. All you need is a favorite stuffed animal (although, maybe don’t go with a top fav, as you’ll be doing some cutting and sewing), a few craft supplies, some lights, and this tutorial. The result is a charming stuffed friend that adds a warm glow to your child’s space. 

An easy crib skirt

If you have basic sewing skills, you can make this easy crib skirt. Crib skirts add an extra layer of color to your nursery space while hiding those unsightly crib legs. Plus, if you use a crib skirt, you can use the open space under your crib for extra storage without cluttering up the room or looking untidy. 

Upgraded outlet covers

Don’t forget your nursery’s outlet covers. All too often, this piece of hardware in your home is overlooked and left boring, plain, and white. Make this creative option with a little decoupage action. If any of the other DIY nursery craft projects on this list have intimidated you, this project is a great place to start, as it’s low-cost, low-key, and extremely beginner-friendly.

An on-the-go toy box

Once your baby goes from crib to crawling, you’ll likely find toys strewn all about the house, so there’s no time like the present to invest in a toy box. You can make your own stylish, customizable, and portable toy box with some wooden crates, a foam sheet, fabric, casters (and for those not down with the DIY lingo, a caster is just a swiveling wheel that comes with the hardware necessary to attach the wheel to the bottom of something else), and paint. The result is a spacious, customized, totally ‘you’ toy box on wheels. 

Make your nursery as unique as your baby

There’s no reason your nursery needs to look like you chose every single item out of a big box baby store catalog. Add some interest to your baby’s space with fun DIY projects that you’ll firstly enjoy making and then later enjoy for years to come. 

Holly Riddle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist, who also dabbles in copywriting, ghostwriting and fiction…
8 great Father’s Day gift ideas for every kind of dad
Shopping for awesome Father's Day gifts? Here's what dads love!
Little girl with dad holding a wrapped gift

If you're shopping for your dad or helping your kids shop for theirs, skip the tie and sock section because he doesn't need more of those. We've got awesome Father's Day gift ideas for those dads who seem to have everything. The key to finding the ideal Father's Day gift is to stick to those hobbies Dad loves best, whether it's sports, backyard grilling, or Star Wars collectibles. Pair that special gift with a cool outing, and you've got the perfect Father's Day present.

Best Father's Day gifts
Before heading out to the mall or going online to order a Father's Day gift, take a moment to think. Focus on what your dad really enjoys doing. Is he a weekend sports dad going to games or is he the resident grill master? We've got awesome Father's Day gifts for all types of super cool dads.
Baseball dad
If the dad you're shopping for is the ultimate baseball fan and has patiently stood on the sidelines or been watching you play since T-ball, a personalized baseball mount will be a treasured gift. The baseball-themed block mount is available in different sizes. All the kids' names can be printed on the baseballs. This will look great next to all of the kids' baseball trophies.
Soccer dad
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Star Wars dad
Okay, so May the Fourth has passed, and Darth Vader certainly would never have been voted Father of the Year, but you can celebrate your Star Wars-loving dad with a Darth Vader Father of the Year shirt. It's available in an array of colors and comes in different designs featuring the best father in the galaxy.
Hockey dad
If the dad you're shopping for faithfully gets up with your rink rats to get that early morning, late evening, or whenever there's ice time, he deserves something super cozy to keep himself warm in those subzero rinks. CQR's thermal fleece pullover is sure to keep Dad warm and snuggly all year long, whether he's coaching from the bench or watching behind the glass.
Tech dad
Is your dad online for the newest Apple devices? Okay, so you are shopping for a tech dad. Chances are he's got all the hot and trendy tech stuff hot off the presses. So, how about a binary clock from CafePress? Binary is the language computers speak, and wouldn't a binary clock make a unique gift for your technology-loving dad?
Grill master dad
You've been chopped! Well, no, not really, but if Dad is addicted to the Food Network and would love to have Guy Fieri on speed dial, then a grill-related gift is in order. The Cuisinart CGS-W13 set is sure to please. The set comes complete with 13 pieces, and the grilling tools feature wooden handles. Personalize the handles with a special message for Dad using paint markers.
Fisherman dad
Would Dad rather be fishing? Then he will thank you every time he uses Swiss Ascent's fishing multitool. This multipurpose tool works as a hook remover, scale scraper, tape measure, bait cutter, flashlight, knife, scissors, weight scale, bottle opener, and foldable stand. Now, how cool is that?
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Montessori shelf playroom

The kid’s playroom should be a space not just for fun and letting off some of a child’s youthful energy, but also an educational hub that encourages imagination. As you curate a space for your child to play and grow, you’ll want to include unique activities to help them express themselves. So, we’re giving you some incredible DIY playroom ideas that not only make the space look nice but add more room for imaginative play and learning.

Add a chalkboard wall
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Girl Scout holding various Girl Scout cookies

Girl Scout cookies are a tradition that has been ongoing for more than a century. According to the Girl Scout website, members first began baking the cookies at home in 1917 before selling them to raise funds for their programs. Over the years, Girl Scout cookies have expanded into the in-demand brand they are today.

Typically, Girl Scout cookies go on sale anywhere between January and April, and consumers across the country eagerly wait to get their hands on the best Girl Scout cookies om their favorite flavors. This year the Girl Scouts launched a new flavor, Raspberry Rally, which is said to be like a 'sister' cookie to Thin Mints. Although the cookie is new, it's already become a huge hit, especially in states like New Jersey, Maine, and Alaska! Thanks to Google, we can tell you which cookie is searched the most by state, and you may be surprised to see that one flavor, in particular, has fans nationwide!

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