Creating storage space in a nursery can be a tricky endeavor, especially if you only have a small space to work with. Babies require a lot of equipment, from clothing to toys to bath accessories, and many first-time parents are at a loss for creative nursery storage ideas. However, a few smart storage solutions can help you have a less cluttered nursery and maintain your peace of mind.

Nursery Toy Storage

One of the most useful items you can buy for your baby’s nursery is a toy box. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy–a plain box of sanded wood with no sharp corners will do its job just as well as a fancy toy box from a department store. Keep all toys in this nursery toy storage unit when not in use.

Smaller toys can be placed in decorative nursery baskets and stored on wall-mounted shelves or on bookshelves. Stuffed animals artfully posed on these baby furniture pieces may also serve as nursery décor.

Closet Storage for Nursery Items

Because baby clothing is so tiny, parents can get a lot more use out of the baby’s closet, rather than using other baby furniture for storage. If your child has a lot of clothing, install two clothing rods, one high and one low. You can remove the lower one as your child grows. If your baby has minimal clothing, or space is at a minimum, only install one lower curtain rod and use the space above it to add built-in shelves and cabinets. Put shoes, extra clothes and toys into nursery baskets or bins and store them on these closet shelves.

Baby Furniture and Storage

Many baby furniture items are created with storage for nursery items in mind. For example, instead of a traditional changing table, consider investing in a dresser/changing table combo. Use the top drawer to hold changing-related items such as:

• Baby powder
• Diapers
• Lotion
• Ointment.

Put clothing, shoes, toys and other items in the lower drawers. Once your baby outgrows diapers, you can use the top drawer to hold additional items.

Bookcases are extremely handy in a nursery. In addition to the obvious book storage, bookcases can craftily store toys, boxes and nursery baskets. If you only have room for one bookcase, go for a tall one with many shelves. If you have a little more floor space, pick two or three shorter bookcases so your child can reach them more easily. Be sure to mount any bookcases securely to the wall so they won’t topple over.