(Inexpensive) Stuff For a Kid's Room?

[Pancho Villa]

Hi all,

I'm on my own and taking care of my kid, Cora, who is 2. Got a 1 bedroom apartment, but I converted the living room into a montessori-esque kinda place for her. Does anyone know a resource for good used montessori stuff in the 2 year range? Or DIY stuff, I am handy enough to put together things.

Pic of the room as is attached. Taken last night.

[Herman]

Good on you for being a good Dad. Wife and I hit CL for stuff like you are looking. Think outside of the box and be resourcefull. We found some cool things at Re-store down in the springs, I would imagine there is a place like that up north. Sometimes all you need is some new paint, hit up the oops paint at HD, that is were most of the wtf colors people make end up and they work great for kids stuff.

[StagLefty]

Thrift Stores are a gold mine for kid's stuff.

[Pancho Villa]

Yeah there's a goodwill right down the road. I think the ikea easel there is the only thing that cost more than $6 in the room.

[Wulf202]

Ill keep a look out at work.

[HoneyBadger]

BLUF: It might be worth asking your neighbors or posting a "wanted" ad by the mailboxes.

My neighbors have been awesome for this. We have a neighborhood forum (It's called "Nextdoor") and when a family outgrows their stuff, they sometimes post it up in the classifieds section super cheap. We got a Thomas the Train table with a whole bunch of track and trains for $50 when it would have been over $500 new. A few of our neighbors have given us other stuff that they just wanted to get rid of like Tonka trucks, play mats, and other random things for free. If you don't have super awesome neighbors, check out Craigslist. We got solid oak bedroom furniture for HB Jr for $150 on craigslist and judging by current craigslist ads, we can probably sell it for at least $200 right now. As long as you take care of it, quality stuff will retain enough value that you can easily sell it for what you paid for it. I know your budget is low (and I'm really impressed with your efforts so far - good job being a dad!) but hopefully this gives you some ideas.