making room for baby

Durability
top 10 quality cues

Ideas
the nesting instinct

Organization and Storage
how to clean your room: simple storage solutions
stuff: sorting, saving and saying goodbye
tips to tackle the toy takeover

Safety
second-hand furniture safety
tech savvy teens. is their room too connected?
toddler proofing 101

Sleep 101
from crib to bed - are they ready? are you?

Style and Design
accessories: experiment with the unexpected
accessories: suspended animation
colors and your child
design compromise. create a space you'll both love
from playtime to hang time
make the most of your baby room budget
making room for baby
personality color quiz
picking the right paint color
setting up a smart nursery
study smart
the multi purpose nursery
when two to a room spells trouble

Whether it's a shoebox sized room or a multi-purpose room – here's how to make the most of what you've got!

Trick the Eye

  • Make a small room appear larger by angling the crib in the corner.
  • Light colors have a way of opening up a room – whether it's a soft wall color, furniture finish or window treatments.
  • Make ceilings look higher by painting them a light color or with vertical stripes on the walls.
  • Mirrors reflect light and add depth to a room. Consider an armoire with a mirror for added storage with style.
Super-size Your Storage Space
  • Maximize the space under the crib with baskets or plastic containers that easily slide in and out.
  • Make the most of vertical space with wall-mounted shelves. (But don't put shelves above the crib.)
  • Most closets have a clothing rod hung at the right height to accommodate adult clothing. But since baby clothes are small, you can utilize the space beneath the rod by installing shelves or a closet organizing system. Home improvement stores even have shelves and organizers that slide right in – no tools required!
  • Over-the-door organizers hang up and out of the way to hold supplies, socks, shoes, washcloths, hats, etc.
The Right Furniture
  • Decide what pieces of furniture are most important. A crib is a must. Beyond that, what can you live without or use somewhere else? Maybe the rocking chair can go in your room or the changing table in the family room (where you're likely to spend a lot of time anyway!)
  • A wardrobe or armoire provides plenty of storage and takes up less floor space than a wide dresser.