14 Baby Shower Decorations on Any Budget

You have a date, a guest list and a small pile of baby shower ideas, and now the room needs to look like a baby shower. Decorations can eat a budget fast, and it is hard to tell which ones are worth it. A big backdrop looks great, but a jar of flowers can do just as much.

This list shows 14 baby shower decorations, from a full balloon garland to a ribbon-wrapped bottle. Each one lists what you need, so you can copy the look as it is or shrink it to fit your space. Mix a few big items with a few small ones, and the room will feel finished.

1. Peach and White Balloon Arch with a Neon Sign

Save

Soft colors make a calm backdrop. A garland of peach, white and clear balloons runs through a white arch panel, and a second panel next to it holds a warm white neon sign that says "Oh Baby!". In front, a blurred bunch of white roses and a stand of white sweets finish the table.

Best for: a neutral shower for any gender.

Try this: Use clear balloons for sparkle and fill them with a few small lights if the room is dim.

2. Gold and Pearl Balloon Arch with BABY Blocks

Save

This is a full setup against a gray brick wall. Gold and pearl balloons curve over a tan arch panel, and a glowing "Oh Baby!" sign sits on a second panel. A cream table holds a white tiered cake between two teddy bears in knit sweaters, and four white BABY blocks and a big cream bear sit in front.

Best for: a bigger shower where the dessert table is the main event.

Try this: Wrap boxes in white paper and add gold vinyl letters instead of buying blocks.

3. Pink Balloon Arch over a Dessert Table

Save

Pink gets an extra boost from texture. A garland in pink, blush and cream balloons curves along a corner of the wall, with two small flower hoops and a script name sign beneath it. A two-tier pink cake sits on a table with a ruffled rose skirt, and pink heart foil balloons, orchids in buckets and a white birdhouse fill the floor around two wooden-legged tables.

Best for: a baby girl shower or a pink-and-cream theme (see more girl baby shower themes).

Try this: Place the tables at different heights, and the whole display will look fuller.

4. Giant BABY Letters on the Lawn

Save

Big letters work well outside. Tall white BABY letters stand on the grass with a small teddy bear sitting on top of the B. Behind them are a white arch covered in white balloons, a large tan bear, a basket with a cream blanket and a block with the letters BY.

Best for: a garden or backyard shower.

Try this: Rent letters for the day instead of buying them, and ask the rental shop about wind weights.

5. Blue Balloon Garland and Name Cake

Save

Blue and yellow feel fresh. A white cake with a textured finish and a gold acrylic name sits on a blue pedestal, and two white trays of chocolate truffles flank it. A light pink gingham cloth covers the round table, and blue, light blue and pale yellow balloons form a garland in front of a white lattice screen.

Best for: a baby boy shower with a modern look.

Try this: Buy a plain small cake and add a topper from a craft shop.

6. Bears and Blocks Corner

Save

Two big bears do a lot of work. A white backdrop with a script sign sits behind a white slatted counter that holds a small diaper cake. In front, a stack of B-A-B blocks stands at the left and a large tan teddy bear sits on the Y block beside it, while a second bear sits on the floor, all on a pale shaggy rug. Brown and copper balloons and a small wooden table are at the right.

Best for: a teddy bear theme.

Try this: Borrow plush bears from friends and family, and return them after the party.

7. Pink Flower Vase with Bear Cookies

Save

Small details can make a table look planned. A pink pleated glass vase holds a single pink pom-pom flower and a satin ribbon tied around the neck. Three tan bear-shaped cookies with pink bows stand on tiny wooden easels around it, with star and heart confetti scattered on the white table.

Best for: a small side table or guest tables.

Try this: Make one for each guest table, and use the same ribbon on every vase.

8. Baby's Breath in a Lace-Wrapped Bottle

Save

This is the simplest centerpiece on the list. A bunch of baby's breath fills a clear glass bottle that has a band of burlap and white lace around it. The light through the leaves makes a pattern on the tablecloth, and no other decor is needed.

Best for: any budget and any number of tables.

Try this: Collect bottles in the weeks before the shower, and wash off the labels in warm water.

9. Watering Can Bouquet with Bear Toppers

Save

A garden object can hold the flowers. A white metal watering can holds cream mums, meringue pops and baby's breath. Next to it, two small treats with bear faces and a ribbon sit on a clear acrylic riser, and a heart-shaped dish holds three more tiny bears.

Best for: a spring shower with a garden theme.

Try this: Put a block of florist foam inside the can so the stems stay in place.

10. Rustic Favor Suitcase

Save

A candy table can be rustic. An open wicker suitcase holds kraft favor boxes tied with blue gingham ribbon, and a blue script "Love" sign stands behind them. Mason jars wrapped in burlap hold white flowers and greens, blue marshmallow twists stand in a wooden bucket, and a small bear sits on a log slice, all in front of fern leaves.

Best for: an outdoor or barn-style shower.

Try this: Look for a suitcase at a thrift store and fill it with favors for guests to take home.

11. Balloon Cluster and a B Block by the Pool

Save

Here a block and a few balloons are all you need. A cluster of pale pink and white balloons rises next to a large B block with a gold border. A teddy bear in a beige romper, a pair of white baby sandals and a small white stroller sit on top, and a round bear sign is at the right with a pool behind.

Best for: a summer shower with a pool or a garden.

Try this: Tie balloon strings to a weight, such as a small bag of sand, to keep them in place outside.

12. Pink Circle Garland and Gift Bag

Save

Circle garlands are among the cheapest decorations. Strings of pink paper and shiny magenta foil circles hang down a white brick wall, and a pink gift bag that says "Baby Girl" with fox and raccoon drawings leans on the bench. The guest of honor sits in a pink gingham sundress and a pink headband.

Best for: a low-cost shower backdrop for photos of mom.

Try this: Make your own garlands with a hole punch, colored paper and thread.

13. Diaper Cake and Popcorn Table

Save

Bright baby shower snacks can be decor too. A white cloth holds a diaper cake wrapped in blue, pink and yellow ribbon, a carafe of orange juice with tall glasses and popcorn in blue, pink and yellow lace-cut cups. A cup of heart-shaped straws, marshmallow favors tied with yellow ribbon and a balloon filled with confetti are scattered around it.

Best for: a low-cost home party.

Try this: Drop a spoonful of confetti into a clear balloon before you blow it up.

14. Acrylic Pedestal Dessert Display

Save

Height makes a table look styled. A clear acrylic pedestal holds a plush bear with a white ribbon, a tan cake stand piled with white sweets and a glass tray of truffles. Behind it, a column of peach, white and clear balloons stands in front of a white arch with a neon sign.

Best for: a dessert table with a lot of small items.

Try this: Cover a few boxes with a white cloth to make different heights if you do not have a pedestal.

How to Plan Baby Shower Decorations on Any Budget

You do not need to decorate the whole room. Pick one place guests will look at, make it great and keep the rest simple.

Budget level	Where to put the money	Easy picks from this list
Very low	Paper, ribbon and flowers you already have	Paper garlands, a bottle with baby's breath, a diaper cake
Middle	One balloon garland and one backdrop	Peach and white garland, a draped hoop
Larger	Rented letters, panels and a dessert table	Giant BABY letters, an arch with a neon sign

A few more tips for baby shower decor that looks good in photos:

• Choose a color story. Two or three colors, such as peach, white and gold, look planned. A baby shower theme makes this easy.
• Decorate the dessert table first. It becomes the photo spot, so give it the most attention.
• Layer heights. Use stands, boxes and stacks so nothing sits flat on the table.
• Borrow and rent. Plush bears, letters and panels are easy to borrow, and you do not need to keep them.
• Check with the venue. Some places have rules about balloons, tape or candles.

FAQ

What are the easiest baby shower decorations to make?

Paper circle garlands, a jar of baby's breath and a diaper cake are the easiest. They need only paper, flowers and diapers, and you can make them in an afternoon.

How many decorations do I need for a baby shower?

One backdrop, one decorated food table and a simple centerpiece for each guest table are enough. Add a few small details, such as balloons or a sign, if you have space.

What are some baby shower backdrop ideas?

A balloon garland on a wall or panel, a white hoop draped with fabric, an arch with a neon sign, or giant letters on a lawn all work. A wall of paper circles is a cheap option.

How far ahead should I set up the decorations?

Many people set up the day before for faux flowers, signs and paper items, and add balloons and fresh flowers on the morning of the shower. Check how long your balloons stay inflated, and ask your venue about early access.