How to Organize a Small Nursery: 10 Space-Saving Storage Ideas

The best way to organize a small nursery is to choose furniture that serves more than one purpose, use built-in storage, organize clothing by size and keep frequently used supplies within an adult’s reach. As your baby grows, rotate out clothing and gear that are no longer in use so the room continues to meet your family’s changing needs.

Babies may be little, but diapers, wipes, clothing, blankets and other supplies can fill a room quickly. These 10 nursery storage ideas can help you make better use of limited space without crowding the room.

Small-Nursery Storage Ideas at a Glance

Before You Organize a Nursery

Follow the manufacturer’s assembly, placement and use instructions for every crib, changing surface, dresser, shelf and storage product.

Anchor dressers, bookcases, shelving units and other furniture with drawers or shelves according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep cords, hanging items and storage accessories out of the baby’s reach, and do not place shelves or heavy objects above a crib or changing area.

The crib should remain clear of storage bins, blankets, pillows, toys and other loose objects. Do not modify a crib or attach an organizer unless the product manufacturer specifically permits it.

Check the model and recall status before using secondhand nursery furniture or baby equipment. Do not use products that are recalled, damaged, unstable or missing parts.

1. Choose Multipurpose Nursery Furniture

Furniture that performs more than one function can reduce the number of pieces you need in a small nursery.

Options may include:

• A dresser designed to accommodate an approved changing pad
• A crib with manufacturer-designed storage drawers
• A changing table with built-in shelves
• A storage ottoman that meets applicable product guidance
• A bookcase with adjustable shelves

Choose products intended for their stated nursery use and follow all weight, age and installation instructions. Do not create a changing surface by placing an unsecured pad on furniture that was not designed for it.

2. Use Furniture With Built-In Storage

Drawers beneath a crib or changing table can use space that might otherwise be overlooked.

Under-crib drawers may work for extra crib sheets, clothing in the next size or other lightweight nursery supplies. Changing-table drawers can hold diapers, wipes and clothing where an adult can reach them during changes.

Avoid placing loose containers beneath a crib unless the crib manufacturer permits it. Storage pieces should not interfere with the crib frame, mattress support or moving components.

3. Adjust the Closet Instead of Removing the Doors

Removing closet doors can create hardware, accessibility and rental-property concerns. A better approach is to reorganize the space inside the closet.

Because baby clothes are short, there may be room beneath the existing rod for a small dresser, anchored shelving unit or second hanging rod. Adjustable shelves and closet dividers can also help separate clothing by size.

Keep the doors in place unless you own the home and have determined that removal works with the room’s layout. Doors can help keep stored items out of view and become more important as a baby grows into a mobile toddler.

Use these closet upgrade ideas to create a system that can change over time.

4. Add a Second Closet Rod

A second closet rod can use the open space beneath short baby clothes.

Use a product designed for closet installation and follow its weight and placement instructions. A removable hanging rod may work for renters or families who want to adjust the closet as the child grows.

Organize clothing by size and add labeled dividers, such as:

• Newborn
• 0–3 months
• 3–6 months
• 6–12 months
• Next size
• Ready to donate

Keep the current size at the easiest-to-reach level. Clothing for later can go on the second rod or an upper shelf.

5. Use Drawer Dividers for Small Clothing

Baby socks, bodysuits, pajamas and accessories can quickly become mixed together inside a drawer. Small bins or adjustable dividers can give each category a designated space.

Folding clothing vertically can also make individual items easier to see without searching through a stack.

Organize drawers by routine:

• Diaper-changing supplies
• Sleepwear
• Everyday clothing
• Socks and accessories
• Bedding
• Clothing in the next size

Store medicine, personal-care products and other items that require adult supervision in a separate location that remains out of a child’s sight and reach.

6. Use an Over-the-Door Organizer Carefully

An over-the-door organizer can hold lightweight items without using floor space. Consider using it for clean burp cloths, bibs, washcloths or extra clothing.

Before installing one, confirm that the door can open and close properly and that the hooks do not interfere with the hinges or frame.

Avoid using reachable pockets for:

• Medicine
• Creams or lotions
• Powder
• Diaper-disposal bags
• Cleaning products
• Small objects
• Anything with a cord or strap

As your baby becomes more mobile, reevaluate what is stored on the door and whether the organizer remains appropriate for the room.

7. Create a Portable Supply Station

A small rolling cart or handled caddy can keep commonly used supplies together. You might create separate stations for diaper changes, feeding or bath time.

Use divided containers to prevent small items from becoming mixed together. Keep heavier supplies on the bottom level of a rolling cart, follow its weight limits and lock the wheels when the cart is parked.

Store the cart or caddy out of the child’s reach when it is not being used. Do not place it next to the crib or leave products requiring adult supervision accessible.

8. Use Vertical Space Thoughtfully

Tall, narrow storage can provide more capacity without using as much floor space. Options may include an anchored bookcase, a wall-mounted organizer or an approved shelving system.

When using vertical storage:

• Anchor applicable furniture according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Follow shelf and hardware weight limits.
• Keep heavy items on lower shelves.
• Keep cords and hanging items out of reach.
• Avoid placing shelving or stored objects above the crib or changing area.
• Reevaluate the setup as your child begins crawling, standing and climbing.

Toy hammocks, loosely mounted baskets and heavy décor above nursery furniture are best left out of the plan.

9. Choose Décor That Also Provides Storage

Baskets, fabric cubes and bins can add color or texture while giving blankets, books and toys designated places.

Choose containers that fit completely inside their shelf or cubby. Avoid overfilling them or leaving heavy bins where a child could pull them down.

Use clear labels or simple pictures to identify categories. Picture labels can become helpful later when your child is old enough to participate in cleanup.

Decorative storage works well for:

• Board books
• Washcloths
• Clothing
• Extra bedding
• Age-appropriate toys
• Diaper-changing supplies stored beyond the child’s reach

10. Declutter the Nursery Regularly

Babies move through clothing sizes and developmental stages quickly. Set aside time every month or two to remove items that are no longer being used.

Create four categories:

1. Use now
2. Use next
3. Donate
4. Store for future use

Keep current clothing and supplies in the most accessible drawers and shelves. Clothing in the next size can go in a labeled bin elsewhere in the closet.

Donate usable items your family no longer needs. Before donating or storing baby equipment, check its condition and recall status.

Read our tips for storing baby clothes for future use or donation.

How Do You Decide What Belongs in a Small Nursery?

Keep items in the nursery when they are currently used as part of the baby’s daily routine. Extra supplies, outgrown clothing and future-use items can go in a less accessible closet area or another suitable space.

Before buying a new organizer or piece of furniture, ask:

• What will this item hold?
• Where will it fit?
• Can I reach it during the routine when I need it?
• Will it interfere with the crib, doorway or walking space?
• Can it be anchored or installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions?
• Will it still work as the baby grows?

This approach can help you avoid filling the room with storage products that create more clutter than they solve.

Can You Store Baby Items in a Storage Unit?

Eligible baby clothing, blankets, furniture and future-use nursery items may be placed in self-storage when they comply with the rental agreement.

Before storing baby items:

• Clean and dry each item.
• Check nursery furniture and equipment for recalls.
• Remove batteries when directed by the manufacturer.
• Label clothing by size.
• Use appropriate containers.
• Create an inventory.
• Donate items that your family no longer expects to use.

Do not place food, formula, beverages, medicine, hazardous materials, wet items or other prohibited belongings in a storage unit.

Climate-controlled storage may be worth considering for eligible furniture, clothing and textiles. These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than standard storage.

Public Storage serves more than 2 million customers at more than 4,600 facilities across 42 states. Unit sizes, features and climate-controlled availability vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you organize a nursery in a small room?

Choose multipurpose furniture, use built-in drawers, adjust the closet layout and organize clothing by size. Keep current supplies accessible to adults and rotate out items that are no longer used.

What furniture works well in a small nursery?

Consider furniture designed to serve more than one purpose, such as a dresser with an approved changing surface or a crib with manufacturer-designed storage. Follow all assembly, placement and use instructions.

How do you organize baby clothes by size?

Use labeled closet dividers, drawers or bins for each size range. Keep the current size within easy reach and place the next size on an upper shelf or second closet rod.

Should you remove closet doors in a small nursery?

Usually, it is more practical to reorganize the inside of the closet. Removing doors may create hardware or rental-property concerns and can leave stored items accessible as the baby becomes mobile.

Can you place shelves above a crib?

Avoid placing shelves, heavy décor or stored objects above a crib or changing area. Use another wall and follow the shelving manufacturer’s installation and weight instructions.

What can you put in an over-the-door nursery organizer?

Use it for lightweight items such as burp cloths, bibs, washcloths or clothing. Keep medicine, powder, creams, bags, small objects and other products requiring adult supervision out of the child’s reach.

How often should you declutter a nursery?

Review the nursery every month or two and whenever your baby moves into a new clothing size or developmental stage.

Can baby clothes go in a storage unit?

Eligible baby clothes can be stored after they have been cleaned and dried. Organize them by size in appropriate labeled containers and review the rental agreement before move-in.

Ready to create more room for your growing family? Find a Public Storage location near you.