How to make room for a baby, even with little space
Soon after I became pregnant with my second child, I realized we had no room for a dedicated nursery. Because of the lack of space I decided I should just keep my baby at arm’s length, so I created a nursery corner in the main bedroom. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on this, or make any big structural changes; I knew the baby would quickly outgrow the space.
If, like me, you have been pondering ways to add a nursery corner to your bedroom but aren’t sure of where to start, we have you covered. ■ Pick a consistent palette. If your bedroom was neutral before your baby came along, stick with that color scheme. By honoring the existing palette, you can make the nursery a seamless extension of your bedroom. “In a muted room, you can dial up the pizazz with colorful accents and dreamy prints, patterns and textures on bedcovers, blankets and rugs,” says designer Mel Bean of Tulsa-based Mel Bean Interiors.
■ Go big with accents. Accessories are a great way to decorate a short-lived space, because they can be put up and removed quickly. Bring in dreamcatchers, whimsical decals, lamps and art that delineate that part of the room as being dedicated to the baby. Bean also suggests using peel-and-stick wallpaper in kidfriendly designs to highlight the nook.
Sarah Sham, founder and principal designer of Mumbaibased Essajees Atelier, recommends adding a natural touch. “Plants are a nice, natural way to bring in the outdoors, and they ... pack a visual punch, too,” she says. They are the perfect way to add interest without making the room look too juvenile for a shared space.
■ Look for multitasking furniture. Remember: Your baby will quickly outgrow this space — and the furniture — so it makes sense to opt for multitasking pieces, such as removable shelves, cribs with drawers, compact storage ottomans, bassinets that double as storage baskets and nursing chairs that can be used as accents. Bean suggests using your dresser as a changing table to get the most mileage out of the pieces you already own.
■ Plan your storage. Look for solutions that are big on storage but small on size. Hanging shelves, wall hooks, over-thedoor hangers and wall organizers are excellent ways to make use of vertical space. Kim Lewis, founder of Austin-based Kim Lewis Designs, also suggests updating your closet. “Adding a second rod can be a quick, convenient way to double your closet’s capacity,” she says.