5 Simple Space Saving Ideas for Nursery Guaranteed to Help!

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If you’ve searched for “space saving ideas for nursery” then I’ve got you covered!

Babies don’t have to take up a lot of room, but they do need somewhere safe to sleep. You also need somewhere to put all their things.

Aside from the practical aspect, it is just so much fun to create a nursery for your baby. However, not everyone has a lot of space to do that.

In fact, in many homes, new babies have to share a space with either another sibling or their parents.

We’re going to talk about practical ways to create a space for your baby without taking up a lot of room.

5 Space Saving Ideas for Nursery Rooms

For my first baby, we didn’t have a dedicated nursery. Instead, he had to share a space with my husband’s office. From that experience, I learned that a baby’s room really doesn’t need to be large.

In fact, a small space or small room is totally adequate.

However, there are some tips to help new parents figure out the best way to set up a smaller space for their baby. That’s what we’re going to chat about. Whether it’s storing baby clothes, finding the right crib, or coming up with a great way to include some decor when there really isn’t any extra space, I’ve got you covered.

#1 Make Smart Furniture Choices

When it comes to setting up your baby’s space, I highly recommend thinking outside of the box.

Use Multi-Functioning Pieces

While there are many fabulous furniture pieces that are specifically designed for nurseries, there are also smarter options out there.

For instance, instead of investing in a changing table, use a chest of drawers and just put a changing pad on top.

It is immediately a more functional piece that takes up less room than having two separate pieces of furniture.

This is the option I chose for all of my kids. It was also much cheaper as I used second-hand drawers and then just bought the changing pad when it was on sale.

It also made the nursery feel more bespoke and special. We had custom furniture that didn’t cost much and brought a unique feel to the space.

Opt for Smaller Furniture

Did you know that there are smaller crib options than standard cribs?

Depending on the space you have, you could look at getting a pack-n-play, a bassinet, or a mini crib.

A bassinet is only going to last for a few months until your baby gets too big for it, but the other options are more long-term.

I think that mini cribs are a fantastic option for nurseries that don’t boast a lot of room.

Baby furniture is often chunky and not great for small spaces. Therefore, do your research to make sure your nursery furniture works for your space.

Related: Crib vs Mini Crib

Put Stuff On the Wall

This may not be something that you think of right away, but it’s a really good idea!

If you don’t have a lot of floor space, consider shelving units that are wall-mounted. With my youngest baby, I used a peg board with shelving to store all of her diaper-changing supplies.

It worked really well and was a very cost-effective option!

#2 Invest in Smart Storage Solutions

Where there’s a will there’s a way, and that could not be more true about finding clever ways to store things.

Here are some clever storage solution ideas to make the most of a small nursery space.

Make the Most Use of Space Under the Crib

Most cribs will have space that can be used underneath them for storage.

This was usually where I would store clothing that was the next size up from what my baby was currently in.

I used vacuum seal bags and then plastic bins to really eek out every inch of space that I could.

So, storage bins are a great option, or you could also look at drawers. Some cribs come with them, but you can find others that will slide under.

Use Shelves and Cubbies

Both shelving and cubbies were utilized in our nursery spaces. The square cubby systems are great for storing baby clothing.

Honestly, aside from clothing and diaper-changing supplies, babies don’t really need anything else.

Wall-mounted shelves, however, are a great option for when you don’t have much space but still would like to have some decor in the room.

Shelves won’t take up floor space but will give you room to add a cute decorative touch.

Just bear in mind that wall shelves should not be used over your baby’s sleeping space. It’s not a great idea to have anything near the crib. A brand new baby can’t move much, but it won’t take long for them to be able to reach out and grab things that they shouldn’t.

Use Over-Door Organizers

Over-door organizers are a fantastic use of space! They’re particularly great for storing everyday essential items such as extra diapers and wipes.

The pockets make it easy to keep things organized and everything is readily on hand.

If there’s a closet then you can make use of that closet space by using an over-the-door organizer. Also, consider adding storage baskets to the closet. I found baskets a great way to store tiny little baby clothes.

#3 Do Some DIY Nursery Hacks

There’s something so very satisfying about creating your own solutions to pain points in your home. When I had my babies, one thing I was able to DIY was their changing station. It worked so well and made life easier. Here are some other ideas that you can work on yourself, many of which are geared towards including many baby essentials in small nurseries.

Creating a customized changing table that doubles as storage

We’ve already talked about this but it’s just a good principle to adopt. While you do need to have a sleep space that is specifically designed for babies, many other things do not necessarily have to be made for a nursery.

Oftentimes, they’re overpriced and have a short time they can be used until they’re no longer helpful in your home.

Be mindful of furniture pieces that can be used for multiple purposes and have some longevity.

When I made our changing station, I just placed a changing pad on top of a set of drawers. I then organized the baby’s clothes using drawer organizers. It was the perfect way to have a piece of furniture do double duty.

A traditional changing table may seem like a good idea, but it also may not lead to a functional nursery if you’re dealing with a really small space.

Repurposing everyday items into nursery storage (e.g. a spice rack as a bookshelf)

The Ikea spice racks are perfect for use as bookshelves. It’s seriously an easy way to bring a fun touch to a baby room. Because the books face outward, it’s also another form of decor that you can add to the space.

These are a very cost-effective and space-saving way to add bookshelves to your baby’s nursery.

There are plenty of ways to be creative in this area. Do a Pinterest search to get your imagination going.

Make your own mobile or wall decor to save space on surfaces

Consider using verticle space more than floor space when it comes to decor. This will make a big difference as to how much you can fit into the room.

#4 Think About Room Layout & Organization

Small nursery organization ideas can transform the limited space that you have.

The way in which you lay out a space will make a big difference to how much you can fit in it. Really think through the best way to have furniture in the room.

Something else to consider is how you’ll use the space. Typically, with babies this falls into three categories: sleeping, feeding, and playing.

Having zones organized according to their use will make a big difference overall.

It will also help in keeping the room tidy and clean. Decluttering helps here too. Make sure to keep up with regular purging of items that are no longer serving a purpose in your home.

For instance, babies grow quickly! This means that you’ll need to stay on top of switching out the clothes they’ve grown out of with the next size up.

Use vacuum seal bags to store clothes not in use, or plastic containers if you have more space.

#5 Consider Your Mindset

Finally, I think it’s really important that we consider our mindset when it comes to dealing with small spaces.

Today’s society leads us to believe that bigger is better when it comes to our homes.

The truth is, that while space can be really helpful, it is more of a luxury than a necessity in most 1st world countries.

Babies do not need huge, elaborate rooms all to themselves.

I can absolutely assure you that your baby will be just as loved and cared for even if all you have is a corner in your master bedroom for their crib.

Final Thoughts

Working with a small nursery space has its challenges, but many of them can be overcome with just a bit of clever thinking.

Consider using multi-purpose furniture that can be used for years to come. Look at alternate options to regular-sized cribs.

Be creative with storage and decor ideas, and try to declutter regularly.

Finally, consider what is truly important for your baby. Babies do not need a lot of stuff. Your time, love, and attention are far more impactful than how big their bedroom is.