8 Space-Saving Tips for Baby’s Nursery (Sponsored)

Designing a functional yet stylish nursery can seem daunting, especially when you’re working with minimal square footage. If you’re living in a small home or an apartment, you might be wondering how you’re possibly going to fit all of your essential nursery gear—including your little one’s adorable baby clothes—into such a teeny-tiny space. Feeling overwhelmed? Check out the space-saving tips below that can help you make the most of every square inch of the baby’s nursery.

1. Convert a dresser into a changing table.

Traditional baby changing tables are useful for storing diapers, wipes, powders and other diapering supplies you’ll need when changing your little one. But once your little one outgrows diapers, you’re left with a useless piece of furniture that takes up space. Consider skipping the changing table altogether by investing in a nice dresser that your child can use for years to come. Place a changing pad on top of the dresser and voila! You now have a changing table dresser that can be used long after the diaper stage is over. Just make sure that you choose a dresser that isn’t too high!

2. Go miniature.

Baby needs a safe place to sleep, but traditional cribs can take up a lot of space. The solution? Go mini! Miniature-sized cribs are perfect for small spaces and they’re usually less expensive than regular-sized cribs. If you’re living in a tiny apartment, you could even remove a closet door and turn it into a nursery for your little one. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

3. Look for a crib with storage.

Not a fan of miniature cribs? Another way to save space in a small nursery is to look for a crib with built-in storage. Cribs with pull-out drawers are great for storing extra baby bedding, backup diapers and other baby essentials.

Already bought a crib? Storage bins underneath the crib are perfect for storing baby essentials. If you don’t want your storage to be visible, you could also hide your bins with a cute crib skirt.

4. Maximize vertical wall space.

If you live in a tiny apartment, you may already know about this space-saving hack. When you’re working with limited floor space, use wall space instead. For example, you could install floating cubby shelves that can be used to stow away baby books and toy blocks. Another way to maximize vertical space is by installing several wall-mounted garment racks to hold your baby’s cute clothing. And don’t overlook the vertical space behind the door! Over-the-door organizers are incredibly useful for storing diapers, wipes and other essentials you might need to grab in a hurry.

When you’re all finished, don’t forget to babyproof the nursery—the shelves and the dresser in particular. Your little one will be crawling before you know it, and the last thing you want is for them to use your furniture or wall storage as a grab bar!

5. Rein in clutter with stylish organizer bins.

Once your baby enters the picture, keeping the nursery neat and tidy will become a never-ending project. To help keep the clutter to a minimum, place a few organizer bins and baskets on wide shelves inside the baby’s closet that can be used to store baby blankets, linens, burp cloths, etc. When shopping for organizer bins, choose storage that will complement your nursery décor. For instance, you could add a fun pop of color to your baby’s room with printed canvas totes or opt for timeless wicker baskets that will grow with your baby.

6. Install a pegboard.

Who doesn’t love a good pegboard these days? Commonly used in kitchens, laundry rooms and home offices, pegboards are an easy and affordable way to stay organized while giving your walls a splash of personality. If you’re trying to save money on top of space, consider making your own DIY nursery pegboard with this easy tutorial from Joyfully Mad Kitchen.

7. Make the most of your ottoman.

There is nothing better than putting your feet up on an ottoman when you’re exhausted in the middle of the night. But if you’re running tight on space in the nursery, try looking for an ottoman that serves multiple functions. For instance, pouf-style ottomans are great for small spaces because they can be used as both a foot rest and a side table. (Their round shape makes them a safe option for the nursery.) If you prefer a square ottoman that matches your nursing chair, look for one that has a storage component to hold toys and books.

8. Hook it up.

Have some empty wall space in your nursery? Rather than overload your walls with floating shelves and bookcases, install wall hooks instead. Whether you install them above the changing table, by a door or on the door itself, wall hooks will instantly add style and function to your nursery. To maximize your nursery room storage, consider hanging canvas tote bags on the hooks that can be used to stuff random items. Turn one of the tote bags into a backup diaper bag that you can grab when you’re in a hurry!

Final Tips

Last, but not least, consider opting for a lighter color scheme. Painting the walls in softer tones (think: pale blue, light green, light gray, etc.) won’t magically free up room in the nursery, but these shades can give your nursery the illusion of more space. Besides, softer tones can bring a sense of calm to your nursery, which is something that any new parent will surely appreciate!

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Sponsored by Gerber Children’s Wear