Play Space Solutions that Work: Creative Nurseries and Toddler Rooms

By Kristen J. Gough

Play Space Solutions that Work: Creative Nurseries and Toddler Rooms

In this article:
Closet Organizers
Baskets
Shelves
Wooden Crates and Frames
Themed Containers
Hooks
Hanging Baskets and Aprons
Hanging Shoe Holders
Pillowcase Toy Holders
Photo Boxes
Crib Storage
Use Your Imagination

Helpful ideas for creative and decorative ways to organize your baby's nursery and your toddler's play room.

Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of blankets, diapers, books, and toys in your baby's room? It's not easy to find the right place for all your little one's belongings. And worse, once she starts crawling and walking, all of those carefully placed books and toys are likely going to end up scattered throughout the room. Finding creative ways to store your baby or toddler's trinkets can be an inexpensive, fun way to decorate the room.

Closet Organizers

Perhaps the best way to organize your baby's room is to start with the closet. Closet organizers can be a worthwhile investment when it comes to organizing a nursery or child's room. Debbie Wiener, designer and owner of Designing Solutions LLC, advises parents to "position shelving [in the closet] to suit your height and needs, and as your baby grows more independent, you can position shelving so that he or she can reach clothes and toys." These adjustable closet organizers are available at home improvement stores nationwide.

You can also rotate seasonal clothes, large blankets, and extra toys in the closet so that there's less clutter in your child's room.

Baskets

Baskets come in all sizes and store anything. To create a simple changing area, Julie Olson, of Spanish Fork, Utah, put a pad on top of a short dresser and hung small baskets next to the changing area to stash diapers and wipes. She bought a medium-sized basket to put next to her daughter's crib. Toys and books go in this basket, making it easy for her daughter to pull out the toys, and quick for Olson to toss them back in.

Try using baskets on bookshelves too. Store toys and books on shelves at your toddler's height, place blankets and extra diapers on the higher shelves. Make sure to secure the bookshelf to the wall so that it can't come down on your child. Tie bows on the baskets to match your bedding or room design.

Shelves

Shelves don't have to be boring! Use shelves not only to stow extra items near your changing pad, but also to display toys and books that you may not want within your baby's reach. Paint wood shelves to match your nursery's décor or go for the minimal look with floating shelves. Add interest—and space—to corners with shelves. You can use one or several starting with a larger one at the bottom and going to a smaller size near the ceiling.