People who live in an apartment or in small living quarters are often challenged to find a place for the baby's furniture, toys, and clothing. These space saving tips will help free up space and make the infant's nursery more livable. However, always keep in mind the baby's safety when purchasing furniture and equipment for the room.
Consider Crib Solutions
- Portable cribs. Standard cribs take up approximately 30" x 54" of floor space. Portable cribs generally run 26" X 40". The difference in tight quarters can certainly help save space in the nursery.
- Playards. Playards, also known as pack and plays, are another smaller-sized sleeping option. Approximate size range of playards is from 23" X 32" to 30" X 41". Parents might find a playard that makes a perfect fit in a smaller room.
- Corner cribs. Corner cribs are exactly what they sound like. These cribs make use of the corner space within the nursery.
- Convertible Cribs. Convertible cribs are standard size cribs that may convert from a crib to a toddler bed, day bed, full size bed, or bench. Though it does not save floor space as compared to standard cribs, the up-side is that there is no need to find storage for the crib when the child outgrows it.
- Cribs with drawer space. Parents will appreciate cribs that have built in under-the-bed storage drawers. Sheets, clothing, and other items can be nicely tucked away in what might have been dead space.
Consider Changing Table Solutions
- Bathinette changer. European in style, the changing table lifts up to reveal an infant tub. They feature storage beneath the changing area. Bathinettes would be advantageous to families who only have shower areas and no bathtubs.
- Utilize a playard that has a removable changing table. The changing table extends over top of the sleeping area and requires no extra floor space.
- Burlington Basket Company produces a "Rail Rider" changing table. This changing table straddles the rails of standard sized cribs. When not in use, it hangs safely from the side of the crib. This is also a cheaper option to standard changing tables.
- Skip the changing table. Simply use a folding mat and change baby on the floor. Store diaper necessities in a basket. If the caregiver is suffering from back pain, place the mat on the center of a bed. Be certain to never leave baby unattended while on a bed. Obviously, this make-shift changing table saves an incredible amount of room in the nursery.
Consider Storage Solutions
- Tall, narrow wardrobes. The narrow wardrobe makes more use of wall space than floor space.
- Stackable cubes. Arrange stackable cubes in a pattern that best suits the dimensions of the room. The open nature also gives the room a sense of being larger.
- Shallow containers for under crib. If a standard crib is used that does not have storage drawers, find clear, shallow containers to store extra sheets and bedding.
- Back of the door storage pockets and rackets. Doors take up a good deal of a room's real estate. Back of the door organizers find a way to make use of this space.
- Organize small items in open baskets and toys in hanging nets. Baskets and nets make items more accessible and help given the illusion of more space within the room.
With thoughtful planning, parents can find space solutions to small nurseries and bedrooms. Parents should always check safety guidelines for any furniture or equipment to which a child will have access.
For further reading on kids' furniture options, please see Bunk Bed Safety: Rules and Precautions for These Popular Children's Beds and Flip Out Sofa: Couch Converts to Bed.
Jennifer White - Jennifer White has authored parenting books and has worked in childcare and education fields for over 15 years. She now focuses much of ...
