- 1). Go through your clothes, books and electronics to determine which items you absolutely need and which ones are extraneous. Pack away the non-essentials in a storage space outside your apartment. If you can’t afford a rental space for your things, ask a friend or relative if they can spare a few square feet. If not, give your belongings away or sell them to buy treats for your new baby.
- 2). Replace your furniture with smaller versions. If you have a queen sized bed, downsize to a full sized bed. If you have a sofa, exchange it for a love seat. Trade in your dresser for plastic storage bins that you can slide under your bed. In place of a bulky entertainment center, mount your television. Remove your book cases and hang a few shelves instead. Arrange your furniture around the perimeter of your apartment to recover the maximum amount of floor space for when your baby starts crawling. If you don’t have carpeting, lay down soft, plush area rugs.
- 3). Purchase clothes and toys for your baby in moderation out of respect for your limited storage. Buy a few small, colorful, noise-making toys for your baby’s early months. As she gets older, don’t allow her toys to accumulate; instead, replace them with toys that are more age-appropriate. Also remember that babies grow quickly; if you splurge on clothes, your child will likely not have an opportunity to wear everything you buy. Get the essentials, and buy more as your baby grows out of them.
- 4). Designate a “baby corner” of your apartment and set up a miniature crib. Many retailers sell “mini-cribs” as a space-saving alternative to full-sized models. Use the space under your baby’s crib to store a bin containing pajamas, diaper-changing materials and bath time essentials. Set up a privacy screen around your baby's crib to clearly define his separate space.
- 5). Create an open closet space on the closest wall perpendicular to “baby corner.” Install two high shelves, and place a hanging bar immediately underneath the second shelf. About 2 feet below the hanging bar, install two more shelves. Use this area to store your baby’s clothes, shoes, bed linens, towels and accessories. Use the space underneath the bottom shelf for storage bins.
- 6). Organize your apartment so there is a designated space for every item, to shorten the amount of time spent straightening up after the baby comes.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time