15 Tips for Small-space Living With a Baby
Keep your wee one’s stuff under control and your nerves unfrazzled with these space-saving storage and baby-gear ideas
Living in a small space is challenging enough as it is – add a baby into the mix, and even those who thought they had their space all worked out can be thrown. Between the tiny clothes, toys and books and the big stuff, such as buggies, figuring out where everything can go is like playing a giant game of Tetris – but while sleep-deprived and with a small person attached to your side.
Here are for 15 tips to help you choose the right baby gear, pare down what you have and squeeze every last possible inch out of your home.
Here are for 15 tips to help you choose the right baby gear, pare down what you have and squeeze every last possible inch out of your home.
2 Choose mini-size baby gear
If you’re still in the planning phase, seek out the smallest possible versions of the gear you need, from a mini bassinet that can expand as your baby grows to a rocker with a small footprint.
Even if you already have all the gear, don’t feel as if you have to live with something that isn’t working out. You may be able to return or exchange it at the shop or through the manufacturer even after using it, and you can always sell or swap items online.
If you’re still in the planning phase, seek out the smallest possible versions of the gear you need, from a mini bassinet that can expand as your baby grows to a rocker with a small footprint.
Even if you already have all the gear, don’t feel as if you have to live with something that isn’t working out. You may be able to return or exchange it at the shop or through the manufacturer even after using it, and you can always sell or swap items online.
3 Hide storage areas with ceiling-mounted curtains
Floor-to-ceiling shelving is a godsend for parents, especially when you live in a small space. It holds stacks of stuff and is super convenient for putting things away. But storing everything on open shelving can look messy quite easily.
One simple way to get the storage benefits while still maintaining a serene feel is to hang full-length curtains from the ceiling in front of the shelving. Then just slide them closed, and all of that messy storage will disappear.
Floor-to-ceiling shelving is a godsend for parents, especially when you live in a small space. It holds stacks of stuff and is super convenient for putting things away. But storing everything on open shelving can look messy quite easily.
One simple way to get the storage benefits while still maintaining a serene feel is to hang full-length curtains from the ceiling in front of the shelving. Then just slide them closed, and all of that messy storage will disappear.
4 Hang picture-book shelves
Slim picture shelves are the perfect size for keeping toddler books neat and off the floor. Hang several tiers of these handy shelves to maximise wall space.
5 Stack suitcases as storage
Small vintage suitcases and trunks are perfect for containing clothes that your baby hasn’t grown into yet.
Slim picture shelves are the perfect size for keeping toddler books neat and off the floor. Hang several tiers of these handy shelves to maximise wall space.
5 Stack suitcases as storage
Small vintage suitcases and trunks are perfect for containing clothes that your baby hasn’t grown into yet.
6 Incorporate sneaky baby-stuff storage in other rooms
No matter the size of your home, when you have a baby, the baby’s stuff will end up in every room in your home. It’s the law. Don’t fight it; be smart about it. Reserve at least one shelf, cabinet or drawer in every piece of furniture in your home (save, perhaps, your own chest of drawers) for baby stuff.
By purposely tucking in a basket here, a shelf there for toys, nappies and so on, you can avoid the dreaded big pile o’ stuff that otherwise materialises in the centre of the room every afternoon.
No matter the size of your home, when you have a baby, the baby’s stuff will end up in every room in your home. It’s the law. Don’t fight it; be smart about it. Reserve at least one shelf, cabinet or drawer in every piece of furniture in your home (save, perhaps, your own chest of drawers) for baby stuff.
By purposely tucking in a basket here, a shelf there for toys, nappies and so on, you can avoid the dreaded big pile o’ stuff that otherwise materialises in the centre of the room every afternoon.
7 Steal this wall-mounted-bike trick for a buggy
I’ve never actually seen this done with baby gear (hence the picture of bikes, not buggies), but it seems as if it could be an absolute lifesaver in a small apartment.
Use sturdy wall hooks to hold a big, jogging buggy, or even the bouncy seat or swing, out of the way. For safety, try this out in a room where your baby doesn’t hang out, such as a hallway.
I’ve never actually seen this done with baby gear (hence the picture of bikes, not buggies), but it seems as if it could be an absolute lifesaver in a small apartment.
Use sturdy wall hooks to hold a big, jogging buggy, or even the bouncy seat or swing, out of the way. For safety, try this out in a room where your baby doesn’t hang out, such as a hallway.
8 Mount toys on the wall
Rods or rails with hanging buckets, bins or soft wall pockets provide a nice spot for a baby’s favourite toys. Even younger babies can appreciate a soft felt wall hanging with toys to tuck in and out of pockets. Older babies might enjoy hanging buckets filled with chalk beside a blackboard wall.
Browse 10 of the best new kids’ rooms on Houzz
Rods or rails with hanging buckets, bins or soft wall pockets provide a nice spot for a baby’s favourite toys. Even younger babies can appreciate a soft felt wall hanging with toys to tuck in and out of pockets. Older babies might enjoy hanging buckets filled with chalk beside a blackboard wall.
Browse 10 of the best new kids’ rooms on Houzz
9 Fold up and flip down
A changing table that flips down from the wall or folds out from a cabinet can be a great space saver in a small nursery. Also look for buggies that fold up to be small, and collapsible baskets and hampers. Slender lines, lightweight pieces and portability will make the best use of your space.
A changing table that flips down from the wall or folds out from a cabinet can be a great space saver in a small nursery. Also look for buggies that fold up to be small, and collapsible baskets and hampers. Slender lines, lightweight pieces and portability will make the best use of your space.
10 Fill small, awkward nooks with storage
Make it your mission to not let a single square inch go unused. Fill small nooks and tight corners with petite bookcases, wall shelves and bins. Look carefully around your space and see where you might be able to add a little extra storage.
Read this beginner’s guide to planning your own bespoke joinery project
Make it your mission to not let a single square inch go unused. Fill small nooks and tight corners with petite bookcases, wall shelves and bins. Look carefully around your space and see where you might be able to add a little extra storage.
Read this beginner’s guide to planning your own bespoke joinery project
11 Make a wall-mounted baby activity zone
Babies and toddlers experience the world through their senses, and a wall-mounted sensory exploration zone can keep little hands busy for hours… OK, not hours, but certainly for entire minutes at a time.
Attach age-appropriate toys, musical instruments and sensory items, such as brushes with soft and rough bristles, scratchy sandpaper and soft fabric. Just be sure that anything you put within your baby’s reach is securely attached and does not include any pieces small enough to choke on.
Babies and toddlers experience the world through their senses, and a wall-mounted sensory exploration zone can keep little hands busy for hours… OK, not hours, but certainly for entire minutes at a time.
Attach age-appropriate toys, musical instruments and sensory items, such as brushes with soft and rough bristles, scratchy sandpaper and soft fabric. Just be sure that anything you put within your baby’s reach is securely attached and does not include any pieces small enough to choke on.
12 Transform a wardrobe into a baby-care hub
You can fit a baby’s clothes, nappies and more into a tiny space with the right planning. Tuck a small dresser topped with a changing pad into the wardrobe and hang a short clothing rod and shelving above. Use baskets to keep things organised and easy to grab, and hang some soft pockets to keep nappy-changing essentials within reach.
You can fit a baby’s clothes, nappies and more into a tiny space with the right planning. Tuck a small dresser topped with a changing pad into the wardrobe and hang a short clothing rod and shelving above. Use baskets to keep things organised and easy to grab, and hang some soft pockets to keep nappy-changing essentials within reach.
13 Choose good-looking, multi-purpose gear that will last
Instead of having three buggies that serve different needs, try to settle on one that will work in most situations. A high chair that can work for your wee one through babyhood and beyond (and looks great at the table) is a better buy than something you will need to trade in after a year or two and is a giant eyesore.
Be conscious about choosing gear you’ll need to replace after a year or two, especially if you plan to keep the older version even after buying a new one. Multiple sets of baby gear will take over your home in the blink of an eye – avoid them at all costs!
Instead of having three buggies that serve different needs, try to settle on one that will work in most situations. A high chair that can work for your wee one through babyhood and beyond (and looks great at the table) is a better buy than something you will need to trade in after a year or two and is a giant eyesore.
Be conscious about choosing gear you’ll need to replace after a year or two, especially if you plan to keep the older version even after buying a new one. Multiple sets of baby gear will take over your home in the blink of an eye – avoid them at all costs!
14 Use more baskets
Baskets are a new parent’s best friend. They are pretty, portable and, best of all, easy to toss things into. Put them in every single room and use them for everything: laundry, stuffed animals, books, blocks, magazines and random messes that you want to hide before company arrives.
Baskets are a new parent’s best friend. They are pretty, portable and, best of all, easy to toss things into. Put them in every single room and use them for everything: laundry, stuffed animals, books, blocks, magazines and random messes that you want to hide before company arrives.
15 Rethink your essentials
Just because it was on the list of must-haves in a baby book doesn’t mean that you must have it, and just because someone gave it to you doesn’t mean you need to keep it.
Does your baby always fall asleep in the vibrating bouncer but not really care for the swing? Get rid of the swing. Trust yourself to know what you and your baby really need, and give yourself permission to get rid of things that are only cluttering up your home and driving you nuts. Hate that giant plastic sound machine (oops, I meant toy) you received as a gift? Pass it along to someone who will appreciate it. It’s time to reclaim your space.
Are you the parent of a little one living in small quarters? What’s your biggest space challenge? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
Just because it was on the list of must-haves in a baby book doesn’t mean that you must have it, and just because someone gave it to you doesn’t mean you need to keep it.
Does your baby always fall asleep in the vibrating bouncer but not really care for the swing? Get rid of the swing. Trust yourself to know what you and your baby really need, and give yourself permission to get rid of things that are only cluttering up your home and driving you nuts. Hate that giant plastic sound machine (oops, I meant toy) you received as a gift? Pass it along to someone who will appreciate it. It’s time to reclaim your space.
Are you the parent of a little one living in small quarters? What’s your biggest space challenge? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
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Babies grow so fast that it’s natural to accumulate clothes and gear your little one is not quite big enough for yet – but that doesn’t mean those items need to be accessible right now.
Keep only what you’re using daily right now on the easiest-to-reach shelves, and stow the rest out of the way. Under-bed boxes and high shelves over doorways or in wardrobes are great places for this. Clearly label the stowed stuff (and sort it by age if possible) to make it easy to find the next size up when you need it.