Those days and weeks before your little one arrives are filled with excitement and anticipation. You might already have a list of your favorite baby boy, baby girl, or gender-neutral nursery ideas. You can’t wait to meet your newest addition and want everything to be a picture-perfect dream when you settle your little one in for their first at-home snooze.

That said, there’s a lot to do before your baby arrives, including curating a snuggly and warm baby nursery where you and your baby will feel at home.

We’ve put together this guide with our top tips to make nursery organization a breeze, from improving space used to planning for your little one’s safety.

#1 Make Every Bit of Space Count

Our first nursery organization tip is all about maximizing space in a small nursery. Trust us when we say that you’ll be amazed by how much space you need to accommodate all the things you need for your baby when organizing the nursery. For such a little person, they sure need a lot of stuff, and you need places to put it all. That’s why you want to make every bit of space count.

Some of our favorite places to sneak in a little nursery storage and save space include:

• Below the crib – Many people don’t think of storing things under their baby’s crib, but it’s a perfect place to keep an extra storage basket or boxes of diapers and wipes. You can also save extra bibs and pacifiers in containers under the crib. Don’t want to see bulky boxes every time you walk into the nursery? A crib skirt can keep them hidden from view.

• Dresser as changing table – Are you struggling to decide how to comfortably fit all of the modern nursery furniture you need into the nursery? Instead of trying to fit both a dresser and changing table, have your dresser do double duty. You can easily convert the top of a dresser into a changing table—no second piece of furniture needed. Your baby’s clothing will also be in easy reach in the dresser drawers below.

• Doors for hanging storage – Don’t let those closet and nursery doors go to waste. Invest in some hanging organizers that allow you to use door storage space to keep tiny baby shoes, accessories, socks, and other small items there.

#2 Keep Everything Easy to See and Access

Maximizing your space involves getting a little creative with where you keep things. However, you’ll want to keep everything you need in a place that’s easy to see and access. Some of the best ways to keep essentials in sight include:

• Closet organizers – Closet organizers help you maximize your nursery closet space by creating specialized compartments for your baby’s clothes and accessories. You’ll be able to easily navigate their outfits when everything has a designated space in the closet. If you want to make it even easier to find baby clothes, try organizing them by clothing type—for example, pants in one place, tops in another.

• Clear storage containers – Trust us when we say you’re going to want to use clear storage containers whenever possible. A quick glance allows you to see what’s inside without rummaging through multiple containers to find one small thing. There are plenty of clear storage bins, drawers, jars, and more to choose from. Select options that fit into your nursery space and allow you to browse easily.

• Drawer organizers – Even your nursery dresser can benefit from a little organizational boost. Drawer organizers can keep socks, pajamas, and other tiny clothing items from ending up in a hopeless jumble. When you’re changing a diaper in the middle of the night, you won’t have to sift through a mess of clothing. Instead, you can reach for what you need without the extra hassle.

#3 Compile Essentials in a Baby Cart

Another nursery organization idea we adore is the baby cart. A baby cart can be any rolling cart that you can easily move from room to room as needed. Stock your baby cart with essentials, such as:

• Diapers and wipes
• Baby lotion
• Change of baby clothing and socks
• Sanitizing wipes
• Pacifiers

When you have a well-stocked baby cart, you don’t have to run to the nursery for a new diaper or change of clothing. Everything you need will be at your side, no dashing up the stairs required.

#4 Shop With a List…and Stick to It

Before you fill your baby’s nursery with cute clothing, baby toys, and more, remember that you probably don’t need every baby product on the market. You should also ask yourself the following questions:

• What baby gifts might you receive from the baby shower?
• Do you have friends or family members that can share gently used items?

After determining which items you’ll still need after the baby shower and donations from friends and family, make a list of the must-haves and nice-to-haves.

What Are Absolute Musts for a Nursery?

Every set of new parents is going to have a unique list for their nursery. However, there are some essentials that everyone needs. These include:¹

• Crib and mattress
• Dresser and/or changing table
• Rocking chair or glider
• Baby monitor
• Mattress protector
• Crib sheets
• Outlet covers and cabinet latches
• Gate for doors and stairs
• Bottles
• Bottle cleaning materials
• Bibs and burp cloths
• Diapers, wipes, and ointment
• Diaper pail
• Baby bath time supplies
• Clothing
• Stroller and/or car seat

There are, of course, other items you’ll need as your little one gets bigger, but these essentials will help you stock your nursery and prepare for those first few weeks.

#5 Do a Safety Check

The final but most important part of organizing your baby’s nursery is to do a safety check. You want to ensure that your little one’s nursery is a safe place. Some of the key areas to check include:²

• Crib – Inspect your crib thoroughly to ensure it’s been put together properly. Slats should be no more than 2 ⅜ inches apart. You should securely tighten all screws, bolts, nuts, and other hardware. Make sure the corner posts are flush with the top of the headboard and footboard so that clothing cannot get caught on them.

• Baby Bedding – The crib mattress should be the same size as the crib and allow no gaps between the frame and mattress. The crib should only include a tightly fitted crib sheet. Other blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or crib decor aren’t necessary and pose a suffocation hazard.

• Changing table – Whether you use the top of the nursery dresser or a separate changing table, it should have a 2-inch guardrail around all four sides. You should ensure all diaper changing supplies are within easy reach from the table so that you don’t have to step away and leave your baby unattended on the table.

• Cords and strings – You should also check that all electrical cords, window treatments, and any other items with strings attached are safely out of the baby’s reach. Opt for cordless blinds and don’t buy clothes with drawstrings.

• Other nursery items – Your nursery should be equipped with a smoke and CO2 alarm. Nightlights should be plugged in away from diapers, clothing, or other flammable items. Toy storage containers shouldn’t have a lid or should have air holes just in case the lid closes, and your child becomes trapped. Any unused outlets should have outlet covers inserted.

When Should You Start Organizing Your Nursery?

There’s no “right time” to start organizing your nursery. However, we think the sooner you can begin getting organized, the better. Keep in mind that sometimes babies arrive a little earlier than expected.

Because of this, you should try to have your nursery ready by the time you reach your 36th week of pregnancy.

Some other suggestions for tackling the baby nursery organization project include:

• Start by cleaning the room and removing existing furniture and other items.
• Once the room is clean, you can tackle painting, flooring, and other big projects.
• Furniture should come next—after major decor and cleaning are complete.
• After the furniture is in place, you can start to set up your organizers.
• Add baby clothes, baby toys, diaper caddy, and baby care essentials as you receive or purchase them.

We also suggest taking an inventory around the 34th week to ensure you have time to pick up any items you forgot. This allows you to skate through those final weeks of pregnancy without worrying about your nursery.

Check the Must-Haves Off of Your Nursery List with Monica + Andy

Nursery organization doesn’t have to be stressful. Instead, consider it a time to get everything in its proper place before your baby arrives. When you follow these nursery organization hacks, have a shopping list, maximize your space, and make everything easy to access, you can readily start your new beginning.

You’ll also have more time to spend admiring your little one when you don’t have to scramble to find a clean bib or diaper rash cream.

Check the most important things off of your nursery list with Monica + Andy. We carry high-quality and adorable baby products that you’re sure to love. You can find baby blankets, clothing, pacifiers, and more when you shop our site. Check it out today!

Sources:

1. Hartshorn, Jessica. "Baby Must-Haves (and Don't-Needs) for Your Registry." Parents. Updated on 7 July, 2022.https://www.parents.com/baby/gear/registries-buying-guides/baby-shopping-guide/
2. "Make Baby's Room Safe: Parent Checklist." Healthy Children. Updated 14 August, 2020.https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Make-Babys-Room-Safe.aspx