Psst — We’re still working on the living room (you saw a sneak peek of that project here), so we’ll share the full details on Monday unless something unexpected comes up.
It’s Friday — time to celebrate with a quick desk/cubicle/subway/couch dance. We often tackle big DIY projects like laying a stone patio, building a deck, renovating the kitchen, or adding board & batten. But just as often we make lots of small, inexpensive updates — quick, high-impact fixes that take minutes and might cost under $5. That’s why our Projects page is packed with both big and tiny ideas.
After sharing a larger update this week — adding crown molding to Clara’s nursery — and while we finish a few other projects (our living room refresh and some more crown molding), we wanted to wrap the week with a little, inexpensive project: a cheerful makeover for a thrifted wooden cradle.
You might remember the old wooden cradle we picked up for $11 at a local thrift store for our Macklemore Challenge. At the time we debated whether to keep its original wood finish, but up close it showed burn marks, scuffs, and a musty storage smell. I wanted something cleaner and brighter for Clara’s dolls, so I painted the cradle white — you briefly saw it in a closet post where I mentioned the fresh paint job.
White is a great base, but I wanted to add a playful pop of color. I decided to accent the cradle with bright red pom-pom trim, which I found in the remnant/discount section at JoAnn for just $0.79. The trim immediately made the cradle feel happier and more special — perfect for a little one who’s currently obsessed with reds and pinks.
For attaching the pom-pom fringe, I considered glue or small nails. Then I remembered a set of decorative nailheads I had left over from a past upholstery project (an old rocking chair recovery). First I sealed the raw ends of the pom-pom trim with a tiny dab of crazy glue so it wouldn’t fray. After the glue dried, I tucked the trim into place and tapped a decorative nailhead through the backside of each swag to hold it securely. The nailheads give a tidy finish on the back and keep the trim put during play.
To make a quick mattress for the dolls, I repurposed a lumbar pillow I already had (it was previously the chair pillow in Clara’s first nursery). Using an existing pillow saved time and avoided sewing a custom cushion. Sometimes using what you already have is the fastest route to a satisfying result.
Next I tucked a small pink blanket around a doll and placed it in the cradle. The final look was a fresh, cheerful piece that matched Clara’s favorite colors and felt far more fun than the plain thrifted cradle had originally. Instead of spending around $59 on a new doll cradle, this inexpensive makeover cost under $15 and gave the old find a second life.
The nailhead attachment gives a clean rear view, and after a few days of play the trim has stayed in place. Clara occasionally drapes the pom-pom fringe over the back of the footboard and headboard during play, but it’s easy to reposition and so far she hasn’t tried to pull it off. Small updates like this can make a big difference in how much a child enjoys a toy or piece of furniture.
Have you been refreshing thrifted kid items lately? Any DIY crib or crib skirt projects happening? I’m always a fan of no-sew solutions and quick makeovers that breathe new life into secondhand finds — share what you’ve been up to.
Psst — we picked a winner for this week’s giveaway. Click here to see if it’s you.