1. Think tall, not wide 3. Make use of wall space 5. Extra storage ideas 6. The illusion of space 7. Consider other options When your nursery has limited space, keep in mind that less is more. Trying to cram in too much furniture can make the room impractical and create a claustrophobic environment. Here are some practical ideas on how to make the most of a small nursery. 1. Think tall, not wideMake use of the height of the room, using tall rather than wide furniture. Slim, tall, one-door wardrobes are available, and some have shelves all the way up. For safety, secure tall furniture to the wall with a bracket or two. Since baby clothes are small, you can install another one or two hanging rails further down in the wardrobe. You can then hang up more clothes. Put shoe racks, storage boxes or a set of drawers at the bottom of the wardrobe to take advantage of the space. If you have space above the wardrobe, tall plastic drawers or baskets can be placed on top.
Multifunctional furniture can save space and money. Try changing units with drawers or shelves underneath. Or those with longer legs that allow you to fit boxes underneath. Storage benches that double up as a toy chest and a seat are perfect for small nurseries. If you prefer to stand while changing your baby, but don't have room for a changing unit, try an over-cot changer. These changers have a table that fits across the bars of your baby's cot and can be used separately from the cot once your toddler moves to a bed. While your baby is young you may like to use co-sleeper cots next to your bed. You are recommended to have your baby sleep in your room for the first six months and many babies stay there for a year or longer. Naturally, this will free up a lot of space in your baby's nursery, which can become a play area, clothes store and changing room until your baby's a bit bigger. Some co-sleepers convert into playpens, so you can carry on using it once your baby's outgrown it for sleeping in.
If you choose a cot-bed that converts into a full-sized bed, you won't have to store the cot when you no longer need it. 3. Make use of wall spaceAnother option for nappy changing is a wall-mounted changing unit. It folds up against the wall when not in use and has storage pockets to hold all your nappy-changing accessories. Make use of the wall space by installing plenty of shelves, leaving enough space to put boxes and baskets on top of them. Your baby may only have a few books to begin with, but a tall bookcase can be used to store many other items such as toys or bedding. Hanging nets are a safe, easy way to store teddies. They have a Velcro fastener and can be hung from curtain poles. You can also get nappy holders that hang on the wall. Alternatively, you can use hooks to hang up bags or other items that take up space. Use over-door hangers or hooks to hang your nappy bags and washing basket on the back of the door. Shoe organisers can also be hung on the back of the door and are great for storing nappies.
4. Folding furnitureFolding furniture can be stored away when not in use. Try portable or collapsible drawers for storing safe items under the cot or bed. These are not suitable for storing potentially dangerous items such as nappy bags or toiletries. Travel cots take up less space and can be folded away when not needed. Since they are smaller than standard cots, you may have to order the bedding and mattress online. Folding bassinets that double as playpens are also available. They have an attached carrier bag that they are folded into and some have wheels for moving from one room to another. A cot tidy is a fabric pocket that can be hung on the side of the cot. It’s particularly useful if you have a cot-top changer and need nappies and other items to hand. Storage bags that you can vacuum-pack yourself are ideal for storing teddies, clothes and bedding. These airtight bags flatten your items so they take up less room without being damaged. Room corners are often left bare.
Consider corner cupboards or shelving and corner hanging nets. Corner changing tables cover less floor space and your baby’s legs will be facing you. You may find this to be a better position for nappy changing. Certain wall colours can make a room feel bigger or smaller. Choose soft, pastel colours for a more spacious feel. If you prefer vivid colours, use a pale colour for the base and use a bright, stronger colour for detail. If the room has a low ceiling you can paint vertical stripes on one of the walls for an illusion of height. Mirrors create the illusion of space and are available in fun patterns and shapes great for children’s rooms. Putting a mirror opposite a window adds more light and sparkle to a room. Mirrors are often heavy, so make sure it's securely attached to the wall. If there isn’t room for an essential item or one you have your heart set on, consider other options. For example, many mums put their changing table in the bathroom or stick to a changing mat.
This can be used in any room and easily stored away. You could put the rocking chair or breastfeeding chair in your bedroom or in the living room. Not all feeding chairs take up a lot of room. There are smaller, less-expensive chairs available that have a sloped back, arm and headrests and the choice of a footstool. Many bounce gently rather than rock, but are comfortable and supportive. They are also useful if you don't want your baby to rely on motion to fall asleep. If you are struggling to squeeze furniture in, you could buy canvas wardrobes that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. These are light and easy to pull over, so choose one with a timber frame and screw it to the wall. Receive discounts, deals and parenting information from BabyCentre’s partners. Log in or sign up to post a comment! Lane Furniture Hoss ComfortKing Big & Tall Recliner | Braxton Leather Pushback Recliner | Stevens Leather Swivel Glider Recliner, Red | Franklin Theater Recliner with USB Ports |
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