- Nursery Articles -
27 Tips for a Nursery
in Your Master Bedroom
Baby is almost here and it’s time to start prepping. When it comes to making room for your newborn, a nursery is probably the first area to come to mind. While we would all love to start fresh with a dedicated nursery room, not everyone has the space for it.
Whether you just want to be close to your baby in their first year or you don’t have the extra room to accommodate a nursery just yet, a nursery in your bedroom is the perfect alternative. Here are our top tips for creating a functional nursery in your master bedroom that you and your baby can enjoy.
1. Get Rid of Clutter
The first step in creating a nursery in your bedroom is to get rid of all clutter. Take a look at what you have and determine what you can get rid of to make more space for nursery items. The nesting phase is a great time to do this so you’re not overwhelmed with unnecessary clutter when the baby arrives.
Avoid bringing in too many items that will make the room feel cramped and instead think of what items you really need. For example, only having a crib, for now, may be the best solution until you can get a bigger space.
2. Designate a Wall
If space allows, try picking one wall to dedicate to your nursery nook. Remember, you don’t need a ton of space to make it work. Try adding fun wallpaper or art to tie it all together and make it feel like its own.
3. Pick a Corner
If you don’t have an entire wall to dedicate to a nursery, creating a corner nook in your master bedroom is another great option to keep you and your baby’s spaces separate. A corner is all you need to create a functional nursery while still having space for yourself.
4. Opt for a Bassinet
A crib in your master bedroom is essential, but for the first few months, a bassinet could be a great alternative if you have limited space. Aside from saving space, bassinets can be moved around a room with ease and are still great sleeping options for newborns.
5. Place the Crib Next to Your Bed
Placing a crib or bassinet next to your bed can be the most convenient option for the first few months with your baby. By doing so, you’re able to keep them close by and easily reach for them when you need to feed or hold them.
6. Put the Crib at the Foot of the Bed
Alternatively, placing a crib near the foot of the bed can be another great option. You’ll have space on the side of your bed to get up with ease while still being able to keep your baby in view.
7. Try a Rolling Crib
Similar to a bassinet, a rolling crib can provide the same convenience, just at a larger scale. This makes it easy to transport the crib to another area of your bedroom or another space in your home, or tuck it away when it’s not in use.
8. Create a Closet Nursery Nook
To save space in your bedroom, consider revamping your master closet into a closet nursery. If needed, remove the closet doors so you’re left with the perfect alcove to fit a small crib, changing table and other nursery necessities.
9. Choose Furniture That Saves Space
Space-saving furniture is ideal when creating a nursery in your bedroom. This might mean looking for storage solutions, cribs or nursery chairs that are smaller in size to make the room look less cluttered. Opt for functional pieces that can double as one, like a dresser as a changing table.
10. Utilize Existing Furniture
Saving space might also mean utilizing furniture you already have. When preparing a nursery in your master bedroom, look at ways you can use your existing furniture. For example, instead of investing in a changing table, put a changing mat on your dresser. You won’t need a changing table forever, but a dresser can be an investment piece that stays with you.
11. Use a Divider to Keep Areas Separate
If you’re looking for a little more privacy, creating a divider using furniture or a partition can help keep your room and the baby’s space separate. A tall bookcase or shelving unit can help divide the room while also providing storage space for baby items.
12. Keep Things Organized With Smart Storage Solutions
Nursery organization is key when sharing a space with your baby. Make use of bins, baskets and smart storage solutions to ensure everything has a place. It can be easy for things to feel cluttered when sharing a room, so get creative with how you store things to avoid the overwhelm of clutter piling up.
13. Utilize Floating Shelves for Storage
Floating shelves are a great way to store books, stuffed animals or baby toys. Utilizing the wall space can help keep things organized and make the room appear bigger, while not taking up too much space.
14. Go for Multipurpose Furniture
Furniture that has multiple uses is great for shared spaces. When looking for cribs, opt for one that has drawers underneath. When thinking about storage, look for a changing table with built-in shelves or drawers, or utilize under-bed boxes to store blankets, baby clothes and other necessities you don't grab daily.
15. Organize Daily Necessities on Your Nightstand
It’s important to keep baby items handy and close by so you can easily grab them at a moment's notice. Use your nightstand to store daily essentials you might need in the middle of the night, like extra bottles, diapers, baby wipes and bibs. Having them close by can help make waking up in the middle of the night a little bit easier.
16. Utilize Empty Space
We all have those awkward empty spaces in our homes that we don’t always know what to do with—use them to your advantage! Whether you’re adding a rocking chair to an empty space next to your window or a shelf with hooks to store extra baby clothes in a small corner, utilizing the empty space in your room is ideal when building out a nursery nook in your master bedroom.
17. Think Long-Term
Something you might thank yourself for later down the line is investing in a convertible crib that can stay with your child over the next few years. If you still plan on sharing as they continue to grow, this is a great space-saving alternative to buying a crib that they’ll eventually grow out of.
18. Keep It Minimal
You don’t need much to transform your master bedroom into a nursery. Stick to a minimalistic approach and focus only on what you and your baby need. Sometimes, less really is more. So, keep things simple and avoid overcrowding your space with unnecessary decor and accessories.
19. Choose Pieces That Match Your Room’s Theme
Creating a nursery in your master bedroom doesn’t mean you have to revamp your entire space with baby decor. When choosing baby furniture, opt for pieces that blend well with the existing style in your room to make it a space you still love.
20. Don’t Be Afraid to Decorate
Although you still want the space to feel like your own, don’t be afraid to add some playful elements to the nursery nook to tie it all together. From fun sheets and wall decals to a baby mobile or art on the walls, there are plenty of ways you can add decorative elements that still complement your shared bedroom.
21. Lay Down a Rug
Not only can a rug tie your space together, but it can also help minimize the amount of noise you make while walking around your bedroom. If your baby’s asleep and you don’t want to wake them, a rug can help deflect noise so your baby stays sound asleep.
22. Invest in a Noisemaker
Aside from a rug, a noisemaker can also help prevent your baby from waking up. Whether you’re getting up to use the restroom in the middle of the night or letting out a sneeze, a noisemaker can help your baby stay relaxed and free of distractions during sleep.
23. Consider Adding a Rocking Chair
If space allows, consider adding a rocking chair to your nursery space. There will be plenty of times you’ll want a place to feed, cuddle and relax with your baby while still staying close to their sleeping area. When determining which chair to get, look for one with a sleek and simple design that you can keep in your room after your baby moves out.
24. Utilize Natural Light
It can be easy for a shared space to start feeling cramped, so let natural light in when you can. When a room is well lit, it helps make the room feel brighter, more airy and larger, which is great when working with a smaller nursery space
25. Keep It Neutral
A neutral color palette is the way to go when creating a space fit for you and your baby. Not only is it easier to pair existing decor with new decor, but lighter and warm colors can also help the room appear more open.
26. Invest in Blackout Curtains
Natural light is great when needed, but it can also disrupt your baby’s sleep. Install blackout curtains that you can pull back to let light in and close while you and your baby are sleeping.
27. Get a Diaper Pail
The last thing you need in your bedroom is the smell of dirty diapers lingering around. Investing in a diaper pail that masks odor, prevents leaks and isn’t an eyesore is the perfect solution for a nursery nook in your bedroom.
Sharing a space with your baby can help make the transition into parenthood a breeze. With the ideas and tips above, you can create the perfect nursery nook in your master bedroom for everyone to enjoy.