How to Organize a Nursery

Keeping the nursery organized is not always easy, but is always essential.  Babies need so much and almost always on the spur of the moment.  Parents find it difficult to stay on top of things if they don't have a good system in place.  Use these tips to get your nursery in working order while making it look great at the same time.

1)  Categorize the nursery.  Keeping related items together will help you know where to find them when you need them.  Divide each category into frequency of use categories, because you may need some things quickly and some things less often.  For example, you may want your diaper rash cream close at hand near the changing table, but other medications are kept in storage for when you need them.

2)  Get the essentials organized first.  Diapers, wipes, bottle care and nursing needs, first aid, and cleaning supplies will most likely be needed quickly when they are needed.  Make sure that all of these things are easy to find and well out of baby's reach.  A designated closet shelf or wall mounted shelf that can hold baskets will help you to know exactly where certain items are when you need them.  Plus, clean-up will be a snap because you can simply toss the item into the right basket or bucket when you're done.

3)  Toys can quickly get out of control, especially if your baby is too young to help clean up.  Keeping them organized makes them more interesting to your baby.  You can separate your toys into different developmental areas.  You can have a quiet corner for books and stuffed animals, a gross motor area for foam climbing structures, an art table for arts and crafts supplies, a loud area for toys that make sounds, and a fine motor area for blocks and other manipulatives.  Not only will it be easier to figure out where things go in a hurry, but it will make it easier to see if you are lacking in any one area of development.

4)  The other big hurdle in keeping a nursery organized is clothing.  Here is where your closet can really come in handy.  Many parents are avoiding putting dressers into the nursery because of the tipping and climbing hazards that they present.  Even a small closet can be easily organized to hold baby's burp cloths, shoes, bedding, and clothing.  You may need to install some shelves to make a place for everything, but you could also just use some bins that go on the top shelf and hang everything else on baby hangers or children's hangers.  They save space and won't cause your baby's clothes to become misshapen.  Infant hangers are the right size and shape for delicate baby clothes.