How to Create and Organize a Nursery: 21 Expert Tips for a Safe, Functional, and Adorable Space

July 9, 2024 by Jasica Usman

Mollie Johnson of Called to Order, guest contributor #19.

Photo by Vanissa Murphy

Creating and organizing a nursery for your little one is an exciting and precious experience. As you prepare for your baby’s arrival, you want to ensure that their new space is not only adorable but also functional, safe, and clean. But where do you start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ve gathered 21 expert tips from a doula, professional organizer, photographer, and designer to help you create a beautiful and practical nursery. From clever storage solutions to thoughtful decor ideas, these expert insights will guide you in setting up a haven for your baby to sleep, play, and grow.

Photography by Creel & Co.

1. Lauren Wolk Goldfaden, founder of Mini Bloom, says “favorite way to organize a baby nursery is by using a combination of practical storage solutions and creative, personalized touches. Utilizing multi-functional furniture like a storage ottoman or a dresser-changing table hybrid, along with decorative baskets and wall shelves, will keep essentials close at hand while creating a stylish, clutter-free space for your little one to grow and thrive.”

2. When it comes to organizing a baby’s nursery, there are a few essential considerations to keep in mind, notes Naiomi Catron, founder of Milk Diva. “Creating a cozy and nurturing space that will grow with your little one is crucial,” she emphasizes. Catron highlights the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that infants share a room with parents, but sleep on a separate surface, ideally for the first year, or at least six months. To achieve this, consider a portable crib or bassinet that can easily be moved into your bedroom for those early months. Additionally, foster a serene sleep environment by incorporating room-darkening shades and a white noise machine, which can make all the difference in promoting a restful and peaceful space for your baby.

But that’s not all! A little insider tip that many seasoned parents swear by is incorporating a twin-sized bed or daybed in the nursery. This allows you and your partner to take shifts caring for your baby overnight, making the nursery a comfortable retreat for both of you and keeping your master bedroom peaceful and uncluttered. With these thoughtful touches, you’ll create a warm and inviting space for your growing family, where everyone can rest, recharge, and enjoy those precious early moments together.

Photographed by Vanissa Murphy for Called to Order

3. Beth Venable, designer and professional organizer with Side by Side Design in Texas, offers a valuable tip for creating a functional and clutter-free baby nursery: “Group similar items together to prevent loss and promote visibility. By using drawer dividers or hanger tags to categorize items, you can easily see what you have and make the most of every piece before your baby outgrows them.” Additionally, labeling throughout the room is essential to maintain organization and avoid buying duplicates, which can lead to a cluttered and chaotic space. By implementing these strategies, you’ll create a peaceful and practical nursery that supports your baby’s growth and development.

4. Dawn Oliver, CD (TDA) and vice president of The Professional Doulas of Charleston, offers valuable insights for new parents. “Don’t be overwhelmed by the abundance of gifts! Remember, newborns require only a few essentials. Begin by washing and preparing 10 of each item, and store the rest for future use. As your baby grows, their needs change, and you’ll find that you need more items in the 3-6 and 6-9 month ranges. To simplify daily care, try this tip: use an over-the-door shoe organizer to store matching outfits for older babies, including socks and bibs. This allows caregivers to quickly grab a complete outfit for the day. Plus, use color-coded hangers to organize hung items by month, ensuring a tidy and organized wardrobe. By implementing these strategies, you’ll create a stress-free and efficient approach to managing your baby’s clothing.”

5. Mae Reedy, interior designer and owner of Mae Reedy Design, shares her expert insights on creating a functional and adaptable nursery: “When designing a nursery, remember that babies will go through stages quickly, so it’s essential to invest in items that can grow with them. Consider convertible cribs, adjustable shelving in the closet, and smaller furniture pieces that can be repurposed, like a small table that can transition from a glider to a toddler bed.

Additionally, Mae recommends a unique and functional storage solution: “One of my favorite storage plans is a library that faces out. Picture ledges can be transformed into a charming little library, showcasing books as beautiful art. This design not only adds visual appeal but also encourages your little one to reach for books, fostering a love of reading from an early age.”

6. According to Great Expectations Birth, when setting up a nursery, it’s essential to sort through baby shower gifts and pack away clothing that won’t be needed immediately in labeled boxes, while dividing toys and other items into age-appropriate boxes, so that when transitioning to a new size clothing, the corresponding toys and items will be new and ready to use. Great Expectations Birth recommends utilizing over-the-door organizers in closets or above the nursery door to maximize space and efficiency, and creating a comprehensive checklist to ensure having everything needed for a well-stocked and organized nursery, making it a peaceful and practical space for baby to grow.

7. Taylor Murphy Interior Designer suggests that “when designing a nursery, you’ll want to consider how you’ll use the space. While creating a cute and magical environment for your baby is essential, functionality is crucial, especially during those late nights! You’ll want to incorporate plenty of surfaces throughout the room, such as a small side table or cleared shelf next to the rocker or chair, to accommodate necessities like bottles, pacifiers, and pumps.” Lastly, as you design the room she recommends, “Think about your baby’s perspective and consider their development and autonomy. By placing age-appropriate toys and art at a lower level, you’ll create an accessible and functional space that encourages exploration and growth.”

Photographed by Vanissa Murphy for Called to Order

8. Shannon Reece Jones, photographer, and mom of three, says her  “favorite way to organize a baby nursery, especially for a newborn session at home, is to hide all of the clutter! Use baskets, place them in the closet or under the crib. Less is always more. A few more helpful tips: open up all of the curtains and blinds for pretty natural light, store all of the baby’s diapers and wipes in a drawer. Lastly, she suggests trying to do one load of laundry every morning & putting it away fresh out of the dryer so you don’t get overwhelmed with laundry at the end of the week.  

9. Calm Spaces’ professional organizer Kenna Lee says that a common mistake she sees new parents make when organizing their nursery is filling every available space with items. She states “It’s essential to have at least one clear surface. Having a tabletop or shelf free of decor or supplies is crucial for setting things down, sorting through bins, diaper bags, or baskets, and preparing items the baby needs. This ensures the functionality of your nursery and ease of use when your hands are full.”

10. While tiny outfits may look adorable hanging in the closet, you’re going to want to function over adorable while your baby is little. Amber Taggard, M.S. Owner, The Organizer Chicks says to “forego hanging items and focus all of your organizing energy on drawers, especially those in easy reach of the changing table so that grabbing a new onesie, some socks, or a fresh diaper is a one-handed job.”  Also she said to “utilize drawer dividers, either spring-loaded or as simple as clear plastic shoebox-sized containers within the drawers, will allow you to segment the space easily, and provide “no brainer” access to what you need for those middle-of-the-night changes.”

11. Stacey Ritter with Little Lilacs Birth Services says one of her favored approaches is “organizing a baby nursery involves using clear, labeled bins for each category of items, such as clothes, toys, and diapers, which helps in quickly locating what you need.”  She also adds that “employing multifunctional furniture like cribs with built-in drawers or changing tables with storage shelves can drastically reduce clutter and streamline the space.”

12. Vera and Elizabeth from Wildwood Birth emphasize the importance of a soothing atmosphere in the baby’s room to promote better sleep for all, recommending the incorporation of essential elements such as a white noise machine to create a constant, calming sound, black-out curtains to block out any harsh light, and an adjustable soft light or salt lamp for gentle illumination during late-night diaper changes. By incorporating these elements, you can create an environment that fosters restful sleep and makes those late-night diaper changes a little easier, ensuring that everyone gets as much sleep as possible.

Blackout curtain swatches photographed by Kali Norton for Called to Order

13. When designing your baby’s nursery, simplicity is key, advises The Best Doula Training.  Resist the temptation to over-accessorize, as you’ll likely need fewer baby clothes and wall art than you think. Instead, focus on creating a comfortable and peaceful space where you can relax with your little one. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing for the first six months to reduce the risk of SIDS, so consider either creating a cozy sleeping nook in the nursery or planning for a smooth transition later on. Essential items to invest in include a safe and age-appropriate sleep surface, blackout curtains, a comfortable chair with a side table, a baby monitor, and a practical changing table with extra covers for messy moments. By prioritizing comfort and functionality, you’ll create a serene oasis for both you and your baby to enjoy.

14. Jessica Fisher-Hattey from Attuned Doula Services recommends setting up a rolling cart or side table beside your rocking chair, within easy reach of your dominant hand, and stocking it with essentials like burp cloths, breast pump and clean bottles, receiving blankets, and snacks and water for yourself. Consider adding a power strip to charge your phone and breast pump, and a lamp for middle-of-the-night feeding sessions. Additionally, Jessica suggests hiring a Postpartum Doula to support you during the early days of parenthood, and Attuned Doula Services offers a complimentary nursery walk-through to provide organization ideas and helpful tips during pregnancy, plus the option of a 4-hour antepartum shift to set up your nursery in the most efficient way possible if needed.

15. Lina Forrestal, lifestyle blogger and podcaster, says, “You’ll find that babies grow at lightning speed, and before you know it, their clothes can become a jumbled mess! To avoid the chaos, separate items that fit from those that don’t.” And, let’s be real, decluttering is key! She also suggests “joining a local ‘Buy Nothing’ group for moms to swap gently used items and adopt a habit of regularly purging items you no longer need. Trust us, it’s a game-changer for maintaining a peaceful and organized space.”

Photographed by Kali Norton for Called to Order

16. While traditional changing tables have their place, Melissa, a principal designer and co-owner of Cottage & Key Design Studio recommends using a dresser with a secured changing pad on top. This creates a designated diaper-changing zone without sacrificing valuable floor space. For storage, keep a small basket stocked with diapers and wipes right on the dresser. Dedicate the top drawers of the dresser to baby clothes like onesies and pajamas. This keeps everything you need for diaper changes within arm’s reach while keeping your baby safe. As your baby grows, the dresser transitions beautifully into a regular storage piece for clothes and toys.

17. According to Jennifer Hamilton, photographer, and doula, maximizing space in your nursery closet is easy with a simple trick: install multiple hanging rods. Since baby clothing is tiny, you can easily fit several rods spaced above one another, which will suffice until your child is around 5 or 6 years old. Another practical tip is to keep tags on outfits until you’re ready to use them within a week. Many parents regret washing all their newborn clothes at once, only to find their baby outgrows them before they’re even worn. By washing clothes as needed, you can exchange outgrown outfits for a better fit or seasonally appropriate items. Finally, consider keeping a small stash of newborn clothes handy for unexpected needs.

18. “To maintain a clutter-free nursery, consider using baskets and bins to store smaller essentials like diapers, wipes, creams, and clothing. Place them near the changing table for easy access and label each one so you can quickly identify what’s inside. By doing so, you’ll create a system where everything has its designated spot and is within arm’s reach, making it simple to put things back in their place and find what you need in a snap” says Ekaterina Groznya with Studio E Designs.

Photographed by Vanissa Murphy for Called to Order

19. As a first-time parent, you might find it overwhelming to set up your baby’s nursery. But take a deep breath and remember to take it slowly. Mollie Johnson, professional organizer and designer (owner of Called To Order) says  to “start with the essentials: a crib, dresser (with changing pad), and a comfy chair or rocker. Don’t feel pressured to buy everything you read about – you can always add more later. Allow yourself time to figure things out after your baby arrives. And don’t worry if the nursery isn’t finished right away – your newborn will likely be in a bassinet next to your bed for the first few months, anyway.”

She also adds, “ Diaper organization is a must from the start! Gather all the supplies you’ll need in one easy-to-grab basket. Diaper changes won’t always happen in the nursery, so make it easy to stay mobile around the house. By doing so, you’ll be setting yourself up for success and making those early days of parenthood a little less stressful.”

20. Your children may benefit from a Montessori-inspired environment, just like Meagan Noble’s did. When preparing for your little one, consider the following tips, inspired by Meagan’s experience as a birth doula and childbirth educator: you can replace your crib with a floor bed (a thin futon mattress on the floor), set up low shelves with a few safe and engaging toys within reach, and limit the number of toys in the room to create a calm and accessible space. By doing so, you’ll create a nurturing environment that encourages exploration and growth.

21. Lastly, if you are a breastfeeding mom, setting up a permanent nursing station next to your feeding chair can make a big difference in the ease and success of your breastfeeding journey. Shannon Hernandez from Dream Team Sleep Doulas says to “place a small table beside your chair and keep your essentials within reach, such as a phone charger, a bottle of water and healthy snacks, and a basket for nipple creams, breast pads, shields, pacifiers, and other items you need during feedings. This simple setup ensures a comfortable and stress-free breastfeeding experience, allowing you to focus on bonding and enjoying time with your baby while staying well-cared for.”

A nursery that grows with your baby

By implementing these practical tips and ideas, you’ll be well on your way to creating a peaceful and organized nursery that promotes your baby’s growth and development. Remember, the key is to keep things simple, accessible, and clutter-free. With a little creativity and planning, you can design a nursery that not only looks beautiful but also supports your baby’s needs and your own parenting style. Happy nesting, and enjoy this special time with your little one!