- Nursery Articles -
22 Nursery Organization Ideas
for a Welcoming Space
What is the best way to organize a nursery? There are various things to consider, from small daily storage needs to how to keep track of seasonal items. But one thing’s for certain: you have plenty of options to help you get started. Here are 22 of our favorite nursery organization ideas, tips and tricks to design your ideal space.
When Should You Start Organizing Your Nursery?
The answer to this question will vary depending on what you’re looking for from your nursery organization. Are you planning your nursery from scratch for your first baby? Do you just need to reorganize your nursery closet or a few dresser drawers? Keep in mind your goals to help direct your reorganization process.
If you’re designing your nursery from the ground up, we recommend starting as early as possible:
• Choose a general theme and color scheme halfway through your pregnancy, or about 20 weeks before your baby arrives.
• Order furniture soon after. Shipping for large pieces, like a crib, may take awhile so you’ll want to be sure you have plenty of time to put everything together.
• Paint or put up wallpaper 12 to 15 weeks out from your due date. This will give you plenty of time to air out the room and let any fumes fade. When you pick a low-VOC paint for your walls, it won’t take as long for fumes to fade.
• Install storage solutions, like shelving, 12 weeks out. Your furniture should be here by now, so you can work on arranging the space.
• Finish decorating and add small details like baskets and bins a month before your baby arrives. Use these last few weeks to put all of the final details in place, like folding all of their clothes and hanging family pictures.
Keep in mind that you’ll adjust your nursery organization as your baby grows. For example, as they grow out of their clothes, store them in labeled containers and make room for new pieces. Little nursery reorganization projects don’t have to be stressful — just do them as needed.
Choose Your Nursery Furniture Essentials
First, pick out the main pieces of nursery furniture. There are many multifunctional options to optimize your space.
1. Choose a Functional Crib
Your baby will be spending a lot of time in their crib, and thankfully, this important piece of furniture can also help you stay organized. Pick out a style with storage drawers or make use of bins underneath to store bulkier items. Remember to fold everything neatly or use this space to store items you don’t need very often.
2. Get the Most Out of Unused Wall Space
Your baby’s nursery can often be a small space to begin with, so making the most of every inch is valuable. A storage wall system that you can cater to your needs — whether you need plenty of cabinet and shelving space or prefer deep drawers — is the perfect addition to your nursery.
3. Make Space for the Ideal Changing Table
Another nursery staple, the changing table is a valuable spot that can help you stay organized. There are plenty of options for drawer and cabinet space, or an open shelving design where you can store baskets and bins.
4. Invest in Toy Storage
As your little one grows up, they’ll begin playing with toys more regularly and you likely already have some trinkets that have been gifted to you. Designating space for toy storage will help you keep everything neat and tidy. Plus, it can ensure that the room grows up with them.
5. Put an Armoire In
If your nursery doesn’t have a closet, an armoire is a great way to make your own closet space. Tuck it in a corner and use it to store all of their clothes, tiny booties and winter coats.
6. Create Storage Cubbies
Any storage unit or hutch will be useful in a nursery, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Utilize baskets and bins on shelves to create your own cubbies that can easily be pulled out when needed.
7. Set Up a Reading Nook
A reading nook may not be the first thing you think of when planning out your nursery organization, but we think you’ll find it incredibly useful. Designating a space for storytime and late-night feedings will help you plan the layout of the nursery — pair it with a large storage basket for baby blankets or a nightstand to hold your morning coffee.
8. Add Book Storage
Every reading nook needs bookshelves, and mounting floating wall shelves is one of our favorite ways to save space. This simple yet decorative look can help define the nursery while adding extra storage.
9. Create a Fun Theme
Your nursery organization items don’t have to be boring — in fact, they’re the perfect accents to your overall nursery theme. Pick out unique basket shapes or decorative wall storage, like this moon-shaped shelf.
10. Choose a Functional Dresser
Little socks, pajamas, playsuits — there are so many tiny clothing items to keep track of in the nursery. A dresser with drawer dividers will help you stay organized and know exactly where everything is. Find more dresser tips in the next section!
Nursery Dresser Organization Tricks
As we mentioned above, a dresser is such a valuable piece of furniture in your nursery. Here are some of our favorite nursery dresser organization tips.
11. Keep Drawers Neat
Whether you prefer to include little baskets and drawer organizers or rely on your pristine folding skills, keeping your nursery dresser drawers neat and tidy will help encourage a more organized space. Roll or fold small clothing items so you always know what’s what and make the most of drawer space.
12. Organize the Little Things
Making use of acrylic storage bins will ensure your dresser remains clean, organized and easy to navigate. Inside your dresser drawers, they can help keep little items from getting lost. On top of the dresser, they’ll keep your essentials close at hand without looking cluttered.
13. Pair Similar Items Together
How you organize your items is just as important as what you use to keep them organized. Keep this in mind as you sort everything out — for example, keep diaper changing essentials in one basket and bath time basics in another. Keep these baskets on top of your dresser for easy accessibility.
14. Hang Extra Items
Hanging storage space is a valuable way to keep your nursery organized and neat. A set of wall hooks is the perfect place for items like their diaper bag and or an extra change of clothes.
15. Make Use of Your Diaper Bag
While your diaper bag is meant to be used on the go, it can also be a useful nursery organization tool, especially if you and baby are out and about regularly. Place your diaper bag next to your dresser or changing table to keep essentials close by and refill your to-go items as needed.
16. Sort by Age
Organizing baby basics by age is a must. From newborn items to their 12-month playsuits, sorting everything by age and size will make clothing easily accessible when it’s time for them to graduate to a new bracket.
17. Create Extra Space
Your dresser provides plenty of valuable storage, and you can expand that by adding a small shelf above. Use this space for displaying framed pictures and other items you don’t want taking up space on top of the dresser. A note about safety: Be sure not to put shelves above your changing table!
18. Keep Track of Your To-do List
Hang a small white board or pinboard above the dresser to keep track of little to-dos. This is also a great place to hang some of your favorite baby pictures. Again, be sure to only hang this above a dresser, not over a changing table.
Nursery Closet Organization Tips
Whether you have a closet in the nursery or opt for an armoire, there are many ways to keep clothing and bedding organized. Here are some of our essential nursery closet organization tips.
19. Fold Everything Neatly
Just like in your dresser drawers, be sure to fold everything neatly. Whether you’re organizing extra crib sheets or keeping their little clothes organized, this will make your life so much easier on a daily basis.
20. Set Up a Hamper
Dirty baby clothes need a place to go besides the floor, and a hamper just inside the closet door will ensure laundry always has a place to go. We love an elegant woven hamper for a natural look.
21. Store by Season
Similar to keeping their clothes sorted by age, storing seasonal items in bins that you can tuck away is a great way to make the most of your space. Winter items, extra warm blankets and hand-me-downs from older siblings can be stored away until needed.
22. Make Essentials Portable
Items that you use daily — think diaper essentials, pacifiers and teethers — are best to keep portable. Designate a basket or two that holds these things that you can keep stored on a closet shelf to easily grab when needed.
Whether you’re designing your nursery from scratch or just looking for ways to make the most of your storage, we hope these nursery organization ideas inspire you. To make sure you’re set in the nursery and out in the world, our baby gear can help set you up for parenting success.