Are you in need of some savvy nursery storage ideas? Nurseries are charming, but they can be the smallest room in the house. If you live in a small space, you might even share a corner of your master with the new baby, so smart storage ideas are essential.
You want to welcome your bundle of joy into your home with the perfect nursery — and it’s no surprise that babies come with a lot of stuff. Before you know it, your nursery may be packed with more Fisher-Price and Disney gear than Buy Buy Baby.
We’re here to help! We’ve compiled several baby storage ideas that will help you maximize space and decide what’s needed and what’s not.
In addition, nursery storage needs to be functional, but it also needs to look cute. These hacks will save you money, help you use what you already have, and make you rethink everyday household items.
1. Store excess items in plastic bins under the crib.
If you’re short of space, it’s crucial to take advantage of every available square foot. Use appropriate-sized plastic bins that can fit beneath the crib to hold your extra diapers, wipes, clothes, and formula. Are your containers peaking out? Try a crib skirt.
If you want to show off your storage under the crib, stash your supplies in woven baskets or decorative buckets.
Related: Under Bed Storage DIY: How to Make Your Own
2. Use spice racks to store baby books.
Are you already stocking up on your favorite children’s books for your baby? Instead of a traditional bookshelf, install a few spice racks on the wall. Since children’s books are fragile, you’ll be able to place a few titles facing forward in each shelf.
Not only will this save you the space that bulky bookshelves eat up, but you’ll be able to put your favorite covers on display for an added decorative touch. Try placing the racks towards the floor, so your child can reach them once he or she is mobile.
3. Keep diapers inside a shower caddy.
News flash: you’re going to go through a lot of diapers. If your changing station lacks diaper storage, along with room for a spare outfit and other necessities, try using a shower caddy. Hang the caddy on the wall within reach (you’ll most likely need to access these items while holding your baby), and fill it with your supplies. Not only will it give you added space, but it will offer out-of-the-way vertical storage. Give the caddy a coat of paint, and voila! Part of your decor.
4. Hang baby shoes from a tension rod.
Undeniably adorable, the shape of baby shoes make them hard to store. Keep the tiny footwear organized and out of the way by dangling baby shoes from a tension rod. Place your tension rod somewhere in the room (the closet is an excellent place to start) and add curtain clips. Hang your baby’s shoes from each clip, keeping them together. Not only will it keep the shoes safe, but you’ll be able to revel in the cuteness. Such tiny feet!
5. Sort your baby’s clothes by size and season.
Babies grow fast, which means you’re going to have to keep up with their changing wardrobe. Place plastic bins in your dresser or closet, using them to separate clothes by size and type. To keep them conveniently accessible, place the clothes upright, allowing you to see each outfit. This system will allow you to rotate out each size as your baby outgrows it and move these items into self storage.
Related: 5 Tips from a New Mom on How to Organize Baby Clothes
6. Put outgrown baby clothes into long term storage.
Before you put any clothing into storage, be sure to wash each item and make sure everything is completely dry. If the clothes are damp, you will risk a mildew problem.
How to store baby clothes:
- For short-term storage — maybe you only need to pack these jumpers and onesies away for a few months because you or a friend/family member is expecting another child — simple cardboard boxes work just fine.
- For more extended storage, invest in plastic storage totes to keep the clothing dry and free from dust. Around back-to-school season or the post-Christmas frenzy of markdowns, you can find storage bins cheaply at popular department or discount stores.
- Sort each item by age: 0-9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. If you end up with a large pile for one age group, consider sorting again by season. Keep a separate pile for other miscellaneous stuff like bibs, swaddling cloths, and baby blankets. Label each bin appropriately so you can easily find everything later in your self storage unit.
Bonus tip: This same procedure — wash, sort, store, and repeat — works for maternity clothing, too. While you may not need those stretchy pants right now, your sister or best friend may find them quite handy (and comfortable).
7. Add a daybed instead of a rocker.
If you have space, add a daybed. Not only will this give you a place to comfortably nurse and fold clothes, but you’ll be able to sleep here when your baby is sick. If you have other children, it’s also a place for them to sit without feeling excluded, but still not in your way.
Whether you’re going for a more affordable option or want to splurge on a more extravagant piece of furniture, a daybed will give you extra sleeping space you’re going to need as a new parent. When making your selection, choose one that can do double duty. A daybed works great in a nursery, but it’ll also make for an excellent addition to a converted guest room or office.
8. Utilize convertible furniture to save money.
The best nursery storage ideas save you money on furniture that is very temporary in nature. Like the daybed, you’re going to want to carefully select pieces of furniture that your baby can grow into. Various companies, like Toys Я Us and Kohls, offer products that will convert from a crib to a toddler bed to a twin bed.
Even better? The price for these three-in-one options are comparable with the cost of an average crib. This idea will work for changing tables, too. While your primary concern should be safety, keep in mind styles that you can re-use as dressers, shelves, or other storage when your baby outgrows the diaper stage.
9. Store extra items outside the baby room.
You live a busy life, which means you’re going to need an efficient system for caring for your baby. Have an extra set of your baby’s necessities ready to go, so you (or someone else) can quickly grab them at any time.
Create a mini diaper caddy for the downstairs and living room or family room areas. You don’t want to have to head back to the nursery every time you need to change a diaper.
10. Place bins on the ground for accessible toy storage.
Before he or she is even born, your baby is going to start accumulating a toy collection. To keep them protected and out of the way (those little things can be painful to step on!), organize toys in baskets, tubs, and bins.
By placing these containers on or near the ground, your child will be able to access them when he or she starts walking. Not only will your baby be able to reach them, but you can work together to teach him or her how to put their toys away when they are done.
Related: 8 Innovative Toy Box Ideas That Will Help Your Kids Declutter
11. Rotate toys in and out of the nursery.
Babies accumulate a lot of toys, but you don’t need to have them all in the nursery at one time. This nursery storage idea incorporates space outside the baby’s room. Consider storing some of the toys in a different room and rotate them in and out every few months. If you need to keep the excess toys in the basement, follow along with these steps to keep toys in good condition.
How to store toys:
- Clean and disinfect everything. Remove all batteries. Using plastic storage totes, sort the items into categories (stuffed animals and dolls, paper toys and books, puzzles and games, etc.).
- Wrap anything that could be dented or scratched in old burp cloths or towels. Remember not to overstuff the bins to ensure things aren’t broken or bent.
Raising children is an expensive proposition. If you can save some money through reuse — or help a friend or family member with some otherwise pricey baby gear — you’re doing yourself an excellent service.
12. Keep baby furniture in great shape for future generations.
Once you transition to toddler furniture, store your baby furniture offsite until it’s needed for another baby. Clean the baby crib, toy box, or dresser. Usually, a little soap and water will do the trick, but it’s not a bad idea to use some polish to keep the wood in the best condition possible.
How to store baby furniture:
- Disassemble the baby furniture first. Not only will it pack easier, but taking it apart reduces the risk of damage. Be sure to put any screws or bolts into a labeled baggie and store that alongside the pieces. Taping the bag to flat surfaces is an excellent way to keep fasteners with the appropriate furniture.
- When you load your storage unit, cover the baby furniture pieces with an old blanket or sheet to protect from dust and moisture. But don’t use tightly wrapped plastic — that can trap moisture inside and potentially warp the item.
- Do not store baby furniture directly on the floor. Use flattened cardboard or a pallet to raise it slightly to provide another layer of protection from water.
13. Have a plan for when your children outgrow the nursery.
For seasoned parents — those whose children have outgrown their cribs and strollers — the question becomes, what to do with the old stuff? It’s a great idea to save gently-used items for the next baby in the family, but in the meantime, that car seat and bouncer take up valuable real estate.
In both of these situations, self storage is a reasonable solution. A storage unit can get extra items out of your living space and keep them in excellent condition for when you need them later.
You’ve been preparing for this moment for a long time — don’t let clutter get in the way. We hope these nursery storage ideas helped inspire you to create a loving and well-organized nursery. Happy nesting!
This post originally appeared on the Life Storage Blog in August of 2015. It has been updated to improve the reader’s experience.
