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How To Make The Most Of The Space In Your Small Baby Nursery

Space Saving Furniture For The Baby Nursery Step-By-Step:

• The Five Nursery Furniture Essentials.
• Space Saving Furniture For The Baby Nursery.
• Other Super Space Saving Ideas.

I know what it's like to have a small baby nursery to work with - my first one didn't even have a closet! I wandered through the baby shops looking at all the wonderful baby products, and the only thing going through my head was, "Where on earth am I going to put all this stuff?"

Well, you will be relieved to know, that I have since come to the realization that you really only need five items of furniture for the baby nursery, in order to have a fully functioning, organized room:

• A baby crib;
• A baby changing table;
• A nightstand or table;
• A nursery rocker, nursery glider, or simple nursery chair; and
• A baby nursery hamper.

See our nursery storage plan page, to find out how to get all the functionality and storage space you need out of these five items of furniture for the baby nursery.


These five items should fit quite comfortably into even the smallest baby room.

But...

If you still don't have enough space, even after cutting down to these five essential items of furniture for the baby nursery, check out our nursery storage plan to find out how the five items are used in terms of storage. (If you leave one out, you will need to make an alternative storage arrangement for the items connected with that piece of baby nursery furniture.) Next, follow the tips below, for options to help you to squeeze more square inches from your space.

Space Saving Furniture For The Baby Nursery

Try these variations on the five essential items of furniture for the baby nursery to save more space:




A mini crib is substantially smaller than a standard size crib, and baby will be ready to move into a bed before she outgrows it.

The disadvantage of this item of furniture for the baby nursery is that baby won't have too much space to move around as she grows. Little ones love bouncing around in their cribs, the more space the better. So a standard size crib is always the best option if you have space, but if not, a mini crib is a good compromise.

Da Vinci makes the best mini cribs. They are all JPMA Certified for baby crib safety and are available with matching changing tables and dressers. Choose from the following:




The Annabelle 2-in-1 mini crib. Converts to a twin size bed - Dimensions: H-43.5", L-38", W-25.25"



The Emily 2-in-1 mini crib. Converts to a twin size bed - Dimensions: H-38", L-40.5", W-28"



The Alpha mini rocking crib. Features rocking function - Dimensions: H-35.5", L-39.75", W-26"

Note: Standard cribs have roughly the following dimensions at a minimum: H-52", L-58", W-31".

As you can see, there is a saving of approximately 20" on the length of a mini crib.



Another option is a corner crib. Because of the innovative use of corner space, this crib uses less floor space than a standard crib, but still gives baby room to move!

• A crib 'n changer combo is more compact than the two separate furniture items.
• A dresser/ changer combo gets two jobs done with one piece of nursery furniture, saving you between six and eight square feet.
• Corner changing tables are great for using up those awkward empty corners to get the most from your floor space.
• Folding changing tables and portable changing mats can be stored under or behind the crib when not in use.
• Neither wall mounted changing tables nor crib mounted changing tables use up any floor space at all.
• Changing tables with an extra hutch attachment provide plenty of extra off-the-floor storage space.

For more information on saving space with baby changing tables, click here.







A simple item of space saving furniture for the baby nursery is a folding tv tray like this one from Amazon.com. Use it to hold your tissues, baby's pacifier and bottle etc. while you are feeding. Fold it up and stow behind the nursery rocker when you are done.

Note that in this case, you will need to find an alternative location for your nursery lamp - maybe on a shelf higher up? Tuck your basket of feeding goodies (bibs, burpcloths etc.) beside, or under, your rocker or chair.







Try a simple wooden rocking chair, instead of a padded and upholstered glider.

They are much narrower, and the footstool that comes with them can be tucked under the chair when not in use.

Obviously, the ottoman that comes with a nursery glider has to stay in front of it when not in use, due to the glider mechanism under the chair.

Or, if you are really short of space, how about this folding rocking chair that can be stored against the wall or behind the nightstand.

Add your own coordinated pillows for comfort and homely appeal.

Alternatively, you could consider a straightforward chair for nursing baby. Chairs without rocking or gliding mechanisms tend to be smaller. Make sure the chair is comfortable and try to find a padded one.






A laundry bag, easily accessible from the baby changing table, will work just as well as a baby hamper, and can be hung from a shelf with pegs or from hooks in a door, giving you one, to two, square feet of extra breathing space.

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Another item of space saving furniture for the baby nursery is the baby armoire. Armoires offer more storage space than dressers for the same floor space. Some are made with a low hanging rail with shelves above to maximize storage options. Many also have easy access drawers at the bottom.





Many toy boxes double up as bench seats - extra functionality for the same amount of square feet is always a good idea in a small baby nursery. To save more space use a toy bag that you can hang from a shelf or behind a door, instead of a toy box.



If you've been overrun by the soft toy brigade this toy net by One Step Ahead is a great space saver. I had one in my first nursery, and it just never seems to get full. The more toys you add, the more it stretches!





If you have a closet in the room, consider installing a closet organizer to optimize the storage space. This may save you from buying that extra dresser or toy box furniture for the baby nursery that you really do not have space for. This one is really inexpensive at only $28!



Hanging baskets are a great storage idea. They can add character and charm to your baby nursery without cluttering the floor.






Make the most of the space on the back of your baby nursery door, with a hanging organizer. These come in many different colors and styles, and are perfect for storing the overflow of stuffed toys. Toddlers love them too!







Shelves use no floor space and can be positioned around the baby nursery to provide convenient storage spots. These are even better if they have pegs underneath for hanging toy bags etc. (Do not place shelves above the baby crib, due to the risk of the shelf falling on your baby.)





Check out this diapershack by Guidecraft. Hang this above your baby changing table to increase storage without decreasing floor space.






Visit yard sales and used furniture shops and look for an old coat stand. This can be refurbished to match your baby nursery decor, and added to the furniture for your baby nursery. Place it in a small unused corner, and hang bulky winter coats and hats here that take up a lot of basket space.












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