Lia Brandligt, owner of the Los Angeles based company Simply Simplified, is dedicated to helping people organize and simplify their personal and professional surroundings.
ursery set-up can be one of the most satisfying aspects of nesting for new mothers, but it can also be a source of great stress. The key is to plan ahead and find joy in the process.
One of the first challenges as a new parent is to create a sanctuary for your new little one that is functional, peaceful, and reflects your sense of personal taste. Here are just a few ideas to make this process truly rewarding and provide you with a great sense of accomplishment.
Storage: Hide Without Seek
No matter the size of your nursery, there is never enough storage space. Identify areas to maximize space, like those that are not seen. Start with the closet: Additional shelving will allow for more organized storage.
When selecting furniture, choose pieces such as a changing table or crib that allow for storage underneath. If you are short on floor space, a dresser makes a great changing table when you add a changing pad on top.
Changing stations should have all necessities handy and stocked. You should be able to reach all of the items with one hand, as quite often that is all you will have. Necessities include diapers, wipes, and diaper cream.. You can neatly organize all of these items in a basket at your changing station.
CSO: Chief Stuff Officer
Managing “stuff” instantly becomes one of your chief responsibilities as a new parent. Successful management of belongings is directly related to how many things you keep. It is a constant process that, if treated as a weekly project, is more manageable than you think.
Several of our celebrity clients ask us to thin and rotate their children’s clothing and toys every few months to keep things fresh and to keep toy pieces together. Here are just a few rules of thumb for thinning and storage: - Just because someone gave you something does not mean you need to keep it or display it. Be very critical when keeping pieces and abide by the Law of Usage. If you have less, you will use more. By thinning your belongings, you will actually use a greater variety of your things.
- If your baby has a plethora of clothing, toys and blankets that he or she will not use, as the CSO, donate them to a friend or shelter where they will be used. It helps the thinning process if you know the items are going to a good home and are not being wasted.
- If there are items that are sentimental that you want to preserve, place them in an airtight bin in the top of the closet or other storage area to protect them. They do not all need to be displayed.
