How to Set Up a Nursery in a Small Apartment

You don't need a separate room to make a nursery; you need a safe sleep space, a changing setup and smart storage, and all three can fit in a corner of your bedroom. In fact, for the first six months, your baby is supposed to be in your room anyway. Worry not, space-deprived city dwellers: Babesta's got you covered.

TLDR

1. The AAP recommends room-sharing for at least the first 6 months, so your bedroom is the nursery at the start, no matter your square footage. 
2. A functioning nursery is just three zones: sleep, changing, and storage. None of that requires its own room. 
3. The biggest space savers: a mini or convertible crib, a dresser-top changing set up instead of a changing table and going vertical with storage.  
   

Do you actually need a nursery? 

In short, no. You need a few nursery zones, but not necessarily a separate room. 

We know, you're scrolling though Instagram and your eyes turn to hearts as you swoon over some of the gorgeous nurseries, large and airy, with big windows and endless floor space, but the NYC reality is probably something a bit - well - smaller. Don't worry! Just because we don't always have the square feet we'd want, we can still pull off a snazzy nursery (or nursery zone as the case may be) for our little one. 

All you're going to need to make your nursery a nursery is three simple areas: A sleep space, A diaper changing space, and some storage for clothing and essentials. Think of a nursery as a few designated zones rather than a bonafide room. Whether it's in your bedroom, a former office nook, or a corner of your living room, it's totally kosher. This is what room dividers are for, after all!

And consider this: The AAP room sharing recommendation makes the dedicated nursery irrelevant for months 0-6 anyway. (Your bedside options, compared)

Gliders, mobiles, and themed decor are nice to have - sure. But they're not needed. Your baby will not remember the wallpaper. 

So let's get into the Zone and figure out how to do a nursery, New York apartment style.

Zone 1: The sleep space

OK, the most important part of your nursery area will be the sleep space. In it you'll need a sleep safe crib fitted with a firm and ideally breathable mattress that is covered with a fitted sheet. Voila. That was easier than you thought, wasn't it?

Now what crib to choose: Depending on your space, you're going to want to get the largest footprint that will take you the greatest distance. For instance, a mini crib is generally about 24" x 38" while a full crib is 28" x52". There are also convertible cribs, that can be built into bassinets, mini cribs, full cribs and toddler beds, for instance. These are incredibly flexible as you get all the parts to do all the configurations. You may need to be a bit handier, but this can be super useful if you're strapped for space. And, keep in mind, mini cribs aren't that mini -- generally speaking they'll do the trick for two whole years. That's not too shabby! Babyletto's Origami Crib and Gelato Crib are two of our favorite mini's. Stokke makes a bassinet that can become a full size crib with an extension kit (the Sleepi Mini). 

One thing to note about sleep spaces is crib placement. You don't want to put your crib under a window --- as often there will be shades with cords (dangerous), it could be drafty or could be super hot if it gets direct sunlight. 

If you want the feeling of a room, you can get a divider to create a "wall". When it comes to sleep, with baby in your room, you'll need to support good sleep hygiene (don't worry, it's good for you too!). This means keeping it dark, quiet and cool during sleep hours. Blackout shades can work for daytime naps and a sound machine can work wonders when you can't control the taxi horns below.

Zone 2: The changing space

Next up: the changing space. We suggest that you use a changing tray with a pad (or the beloved Peanut) atop a small dresser (which can be part of Zone 3: storage). If you have a dresser elsewhere you're using, then the zone need only have a changing table with easy access to diapers, wipes, cream, and 2-3 changes of clothes. A quick note on safety: Always keep a hand on the baby as they're being changed.

If you're really strapped for space, consider the Remi by UppaBaby. This is their sleep safe bassinet/travel crib, and it has a changing tray and organizer that you can get as accessories. In other words, it's a sleep and changing space in one. 

Zone 3: Storage (go vertical and be a ruthless editor)

Now it's time for storage. Think like a skyscraper: Vertical wins.  You can use wall shelves, over door organizers, and under crib bins. Just be sure the crib design allows for airflow and you're not blocking any of the mattress supports per the manufacturer). 

The good news is that baby clothes are itsy bitsy. You can label bins by size or double hang clothes. Our POV is register (or purchase) less, but better. The small apartment strategy is not about storing more stuff, it's about owning less stuff that really works for your purpose. This means foldable compact strollers that can stand when they're folded, travel cribs that double as play yards and bathtubs that fold flat and can slip between the sink and the wall, 

Making a shared bedroom work for everyone's sleep

If you're sharing a room, you want to make sure you can all get a good night's sleep (or at least a restful few hours at a time. This is a matter of setting it up well, so that it's "sleep-optimized." First, it will have to be dark. Think about installing blackout curtains for daytime naps, use zoned lighting, dimmers, and a low amber lamp for night feeds. (not too bright, you don't want to wake baby up!)

As for keeping it quiet, it's a big ask in NYC. If your windows aren't double hung, you may consider a white noise machine. Keep the TV low in the other room, make sure conversations are quiet and no banging the pots and pans while baby is snoozing. 

Once the AAP's room-sharing months are over, then you have to decide: does baby stay with you or relocates? There's no problem with them staying with you longer (longer is actually better, if you can swing it). But you could also consider their own room if you have it, a corner of the living room where you might split the room with a divider. 

Small space nursery safety checklist

Here are a few sleep safety tips for your small space nursery zones!

• Anchor EVERYTHING to walls: dressers, shelves, book cases and anything else that's a tipping hazard. (CPSC) If you're renting, talk to your landlord. You never want to skip anchoring on account of your security deposit. 
• Keep your crib away from windows, blind/curtain cords, radiators, outlets, and anything that's within reach. (CPSC)
• Always keep the crib bare: only a firm mattress and fitted sheet should be in it. Oh, and your baby of course! (CPSC)
• Keep AAP basics visible. It's helpful for you when you're sleep deprived, and for any other caregivers in the house. Baby should be put down on their back to sleep, room share and never bed-share, and only let baby sleep on overnight-rated surfaces.
• Find an extensive list of safe sleep guidelines from the AAP, CPSC and New York Department of Health.

City nurseries at Babesta

Now you can see: Small space, no problem. In NYC we're used to it! Come measure twice, buy once at Babesta. We have many of the most beloved cribs and bassinets on the floor, so NYC parents can see the real footprints before committing. 

Check out our range of sleep items here, like swaddles and sleep sacks, perfect for registry. We also have all the strollers, infant car seats, travel cribs, gliders, carriers, and more all hand-picked for city kids. Don't lose your cool shopping the baby market. Shop Babesta.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can a baby sleep in the living room instead of a bedroom? 

Yes, after the room-sharing months, a consistent, safe sleep space matters more than which room they're in.  Just make sure you can keep it dark, quiet, and cool for naps.

2) How small is too small for a nursery corner?

There's no real minimum. You just need clearance for the crib per the manufacturer instructions and safe surrounding placement. Something as small as a 3'x5' corner can work.

3) What size is a mini crib vs a regular crib

A mini crib is 24" x 38" and a crib is 28" x 52". Keep in mind most mini cribs can work to about two years old. A full size crib often can convert to a toddler bed and take you up to four or five years old.

4) How long can my baby stay in my room? 

As long as it works for your family.: six months is the minimum recommendation, not a deadline to move them out.