Cribs, rockers, changing tables, wall décor: Oh, the excitement of creating a cozy haven for your little one. Feathering your nest can be a fun project to take on while you wait for baby to arrive. But it can also be an expensive one. Before you start shelling out serious cash for your nursery, get creative with these money-saving tips.

1. Browse and create
Jungle safari? Little birdie blue? Alphabet soup? Take your time and look online to find the perfect look and feel for your nursery. Pinterest, every mom’s favorite idea-sharing website, is an incredible resource for room inspiration, creative ways to repurpose items and do-it-yourself home décor. Create your own Pinterest board and start collecting pictures of nurseries that you love. Pretty soon you’ll see a recurring theme of design styles that you are drawn to. Once you’ve narrowed down your style and theme, look for specific ideas that will bring your little one’s wonderland to life.

2. Scour second-hand
For items like a rocker or changing table, hit up local flea markets, antique malls and estate sales. You can repurpose a low dresser and use it as a changing table simply by adding a changing pad. If you find a vintage wooden rocker that needs some pizzazz, refinish and repaint to reflect your own style. If your nursery has the space, you can also add a small, cushioned lounge chair. Snag a comfy seat on the cheap, and break out the staple gun to reupholster. Or if the fabric isn’t snagged or ripped, you can even paint (yes—paint!) over an outdated pattern. And don’t forget about seasonal consignment sales like Duck Duck Goose and Rhea Lana’s, both of which sell second-hand baby bedding and other nursery items for bargain prices. For upcoming event dates, visit DuckDuckGooseSale.com or RheaLana.com.

3. Shop online
Start building your nursery by finding big furniture items first, starting with the crib. It’s always a good idea to buy new to ensure you meet all current safety requirements. Don’t limit yourself to what you see in the big box stores or baby boutiques, though. Instead, head online to sites like Hayneedle.com, where shipping is free on most items, or FreeShipping.org, which offers a list of online stores that offer free shipping on baby essentials.

4. Beg and borrow
You likely know friends or family that have had babies within the last year or so. Ask around and see if you can score deals on items they no longer need. Or, request to borrow any items friends may be storing as they wait to add another bundle of joy to the family. If you borrow a crib or baby swing, check the age and condition of the item before you commit to it. Safety comes before frugality.

5. Get free samples
As a new mom, you probably aren’t sure which products will work best for your baby, despite the advice you receive from other moms. Since every child is different, it’s helpful to load up your nursery with samples of wipes, diapers and formula. This way, you won’t spend a bundle on products that don’t work for your infant. Ask your doctor or pediatrician for available samples, and find free baby stuff online at MrFreeStuff.com.

6. DIY decor
There’s really no need to buy the latest Pottery Barn Baby artwork to go along with your nursery. Custom wall décor, sweet mobiles and more are easy to make if you have the time and creativity. For my daughter’s room, I went for a sophisticated look and painted horizontal lines onto a canvas and customized it with her birth date. Another easy option: Cut varying sizes of letters and numbers from colorful scrapbooking paper. Hang in a cluster of individual frames or affix to a blank canvas for wall art that is simple to make and fun for baby. And who knows, maybe junior will even learn a thing or two.

Maisie Knowles is a working mother of two with experience writing on parenting and partner issues. She received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado and co-founded www.FreeShipping.org with her husband. Maisie currently spends most of her time at home with her two young girls.