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.
When like items are placed together, it’s easy to know when enough is enough. For example, blankets should all be in one area so that you can see when you have too many and need to donate a few. Or, keep a toy box that limits the amount of toys that can be kept out. This will also help contain the baby’s things to the nursery, rather than be dispersed throughout the house.
You should only have current size of clothing in the most convenient space, whether that be in the closet or the dresser. Note: You should do a visual comparison on washed clothing, as some brands run substantially larger or smaller than others. Don’t miss having your little one wear that beautiful hand-sewn French outfit because its size runs small.
Store the next-size clothing in a convenient place separate from the current clothing – consider using labeled sealable bins in harder-to-reach parts of your closet. Also have a convenient area to house clothing that is too small for hand-me-downs or donations. It is exciting when you can bring out a whole new wardrobe (most of which was never worn) for the next child. Hand-me-downs can be fun and practical.
At-a-Glance Nursery Organization Tips
- Create a diaper-changing basket that has all your needs at your fingertips.
- Store like items together to avoid over-accumulation.
- Thin, thin, thin. Continually go through your nursery to survey what items you do not need or use. Donate them to a friend or shelter that will use them.
- Plan ahead for clothing and toy storage rotation.
Enjoy creating a functional nursery, then add your sense of style through personalization. Set your CSO goals in advance to manage the nursery clutter and you will be one step closer to keeping your nursery peaceful and serene in the months to come.
About The Author
Lia Brandligt is the owner of Simply Simplified, a design and organization company based in Los Angeles. Lia has been professionally organizing the lives and homes of celebrities, professionals and families for over five years. Lia has traveled all over the world helping clients find simplicity in their lives and spaces.
