Decorating the nursery is one of the most fun and exciting parts of the beginning of parenthood. Of course, we’re all thinking of those beautiful antique rocking chairs and plenty of adorable plushies scattered on the floor, but once the baby arrives, functionality overcomes aesthetics by far. However, with a couple of next-level organizational skills and some imagination, you can easily set up a functional but cute room for your little bundle of joy. Keep reading for seven ingenious storage and organization tips for your nursery:
1. Invest in storage friendly furniture
For someone so small, a newborn needs a surprising amount of stuff, and as you begin organizing your nursery, you might wonder where you’ll be able to put it all. Therefore, the main question you need to ask yourself when you’re investing in new furniture is how many functions it can serve. A changing table is essential, but at the same time, once the infant phase is over, it won’t serve many purposes, and that is why you should make sure you choose something that will last and age with your baby. You know storage is one thing you’ll always need, so opt for a changing unit that has built-in drawers or enough space underneath where you can deposit any containers of your choice. Here you can keep your most used items, such as diapers, wipes, creams, extra changing-pad covers, or even a few pacifiers and other soothers.
2. Stash small items in baskets or bins
If you’re short on space, which is almost always the case when it comes to nurseries, storage bins and baskets are key. Babies come with plenty of little toys and various items that are just as cute as them but can be challenging to find a place for. Instead of having them strewn all over the floor or randomly placed on the furniture, get some dainty bins that will not only give more structure to your space but will add some style to it too. One thing to keep in mind is to avoid plastic containers or wire baskets as they can be a hazard, especially for toddlers. Instead, opt for baskets made of soft material, which are handy for dragging out and playing safely.
3. Beautify your walls with cute floating shelves
As previously mentioned, a baby’s room most likely has a limited footprint, which is why utilizing wall space is a brilliant trick to multiply your storage options.
Think vertically and add a couple of fun floating shelves where you can display the baby’s keepsakes, some precious stuffed animals or treasured books. If you can’t find any ready-made shelves that match your décor, you can also tackle a DIY project and build them to fit your own style. While you’re on it, make sure nothing can fall or slide off them. As an extra precaution, you can baby-proof all the shelves with horizontal bars that keep the items safe and sound.
4. Add a play tent to mask bigger toys
You probably don’t realize just how much space toys take up until you find yourself surrounded by stuffies, baby dolls, cars, robots and many more. Even if it’s something you can’t avoid, because a child needs all sorts of entertainment options, there are ways to keep them relatively organized and not feel defeated in front of too many teddy bears. One chic way to keep the big toys together is to add a beautiful play tent in a corner of the room if space allows. It will be a perfect place to safely store all the plushies that you don’t want displayed, and also a nice spot for your little one to spend some fun time or, as they get a little bit older, to get cozy and read a book.
5. Make sure you have essential clothes on hand
Once the whole toy collection is put in place, it’s time to start thinking about other essential items, such as clothes. Of course, a perfectly organized closet would be ideal, but it’s quite impossible to keep it neat and tidy at all times because the baby needs to be changed more times a day than you can imagine. One method to avoid going back and forth to the main closet every two hours is to have a separate spot, preferably close to the changing table, where you can keep a stock of frequently used clothing items. This way, you’ll have all your essential onesies on hand and not have to worry about going through all categories of clothing in the big closet to find the right piece for that time. Moreover, having the most used items on display lets you know when it’s time to do laundry and avoid the scary situation of not having any more clean clothes for your little darling.
6. Use drawer dividers
Is there anything more adorable than baby-sized items? Chances are your baby is starting to accumulate a collection of accessories, tiny little shoes or fun beanies before they’re even born. While they may be lovely to buy (or, in many cases, be gifted with), it can be a tedious task to keep them nicely organized. After the enthusiasm of getting yet another ‘Mommy Loves You’ bib, you might be tempted to put it inside a drawer wherever you find some available space and forget about it. This can easily mess up your dresser’s organization, and you’ll either forget what you have inside or not be able to find a specific item when you’re looking for it. To help you keep things classified, go for some drawer dividers to keep each category of items separated and accessible. This method will not only save you time and stress but will help you enjoy and appreciate all the cute little things you have.
7. Put outgrown baby clothes in a storage unit
If you follow all the steps above, you’ll be able to enjoy the real beauty of an organized nursery. However, as the baby grows, you’ll find yourself with a bunch of clothes and other accessories that you no longer need, at least for a period of time, until the new bundle of joy arrives. One last piece of advice is to do a regular decluttering session, for example, every two months, during which you can put away all the outgrown baby clothes and other things you don’t need anymore. Make sure everything is clean and well packed, and then find a storage unit nearby where you can safely deposit your belongings until you’re ready to use them again, whether that is for the next baby or just as precious keepsakes for future generations.
Hopefully, these nursery storage tips and tricks inspired you to create a loving and well-organized room for your favorite little person. You’ll certainly need a lot of quality time with your baby once they’re here, so make sure you get everything ready in advance. Don’t hesitate to use your imagination and create the perfect space for both of you to enjoy fully. If you combine creativity with ingenuity, you can have style and functionality in one space.
