Tips & Tricks To Organizing The Baby Closet
A baby’s nursery needs plenty of space for changing tables, rockers, monitors, breast pumps, and so on, and an efficiently designed closet is all the more important to keep the nursery clutter-free. The more you can neatly store in the closet, the fewer furniture and organizers you’ll need in the baby’s room. In the long run, it may be better to invest in a well-designed adjustable closet system than to put money into an expensive changing table or baby furniture equipped with storage compartments. These items have a short life span, even when down to siblings. The best way to organize a baby closet is with an adjustable closet system since storage needs from babies to teenagers change over time dramatically. Since baby clothing is so small, you can begin by doubling or tripling the hanging rods and replace the bar heights as the child grows. Stick with medium-size pullout baskets or drawers for a closet system, because this size works best for most clothing and accessories. Small- to medium-size bins are best for shelves since large baskets invite clutter and are hard to go through.
Arranging the Closet
There are two ways to arrange your baby’s closet: set up your closet with individual organizers or install a closet system. A closet system is a preferred choice, but it may not fit in every budget. However, there are more affordable DIY, off-the-shelf, closet organizers that compete well with semi-custom closet systems found online or in home centers. Many of these systems offer add-on components separate from the original kit, so you don’t have to buy everything upfront. It is a perfect alternative for budget-minded who want to build their system over time slowly. You can always start with inexpensive plastic containers and incorporate them into a basic structured closet system, and then upgrade on an as-needed basis.
Hanging Organizers
There are different types of closet organizers designed to hang from the closet rod. The most popular one used in a baby’s closet is typical tiered, nylon canvas handing shelves, which attach by Velcro. Each compartment is typically fifteen inches wide by twelve inches deep. Hanging tiered closet shelf organizers can accommodate the spillover from crowded dresser drawers or shelves in the nursery and are an affordable storage solution that can easily get reused elsewhere in the home. Ideal belongings to store here are bibs, diaper bags, blankets, crib sheets, clothing, receiving blankets, bath towels, stuffed animals, plush toys, changing pad covers, and lightweight gadgets. Some more durable hanging-shelf units come with drawers that create more storage options for holding other belongings, like socks, pajamas, pacifiers, teething toys, breast-pump supplies, bath accessories, bottles, small toys, onesies, hats, gloves, and the like. When selecting a hanging-shelf unit, choose one with sturdy shelving. Many buckle even with light loads. Think about the material of the organizer, as well. Fabric can stain and tear, whereas nylon wipes clean. Use hanging-shelf organizers in moderation since they take up around a foot of hanging-rod space, which is valuable. However, some hanging-shelf organizers are designed with shelving only at the base, leaving hanging-rod space above it. Another hanging storage solution perfect for a baby’s closet is hanging rod doublers. This organizer provides an additional hanging rod suspended from the existing closet rod. Look for the adjustable versions of this organizer to change the rod’s height as the baby grows. As his or her clothes get longer, you can simply add space between the two hanging rods. You also want the hanging rod to be strong. Steel construction is more durable than aluminum or wood, which can crack, buckle, or bend. The stronger the hanging rod, the more it can hold. A double-hung closet rod is an incredibly affordable solution to add hanging space in a closet and is easy to assemble and remove. The downside to this organizer is that it’s not mounted at either end so that it can sway back and forth. Hanging space is prime storage because it’s hard to replicate elsewhere in the nursery. Hanging clothes is the most convenient way to store them. There is no easier way to find and keep clothes orderly other than a hanging system. Just be sure to use the right size hangers for your baby’s clothes. A hanging pocketed organizer is a good organizer for a nursery closet since it holds many small groups of items babies need. These organizers resemble a garment bag and contain several see-through slip pockets to keep little things, like pacifiers, grooming essentials, teething toys, bows, hats, socks, burp cloths, and the like. These organizers also come double-sided, which manages space well.
Over-the-Door Organizers
If the nursery closet has standard doors, and over-the-door (OTD) organizer is the right solution. Many types of over-the-door storage organizers could suit the needs of a baby’s closet, such as pocket or pouch over-the-door organizers. The clear plastic pockets are best, so everything can be seen at a glance. Depending on the size of the pockets, you can store baby essentials, like diapers, bibs, hats, grooming essentials, socks, hats, toys, pacifiers, toiletries, and medicines. Over-the-door hanging rods can instantly increase your hanging space. You can also install hooks or peg-rack organizers onto the backside of a closet door to hold several items and organizers. Many closet organizers designed for a hanging rod can also suspend from a hook. You can even hang a diaper organizer made for a changing table on a door hook to hold diapers, lotions, wipes, and the like, which is especially useful if there’s no changing table in the nursery. A hook can also hang a mesh bag that can function as a hamper. A stout hook can hold your handbag or diaper bag, which always needs a special place. Another stable door organizer is the mounted utility door rack. This organizer has attachable wire baskets that come in different depths to accommodate various items. The more bottomless baskets are suitable for the bottom and can hold more essential items, such as diapers, toys, shoes, first aid kits, receiving blankets, small gadgets, and so on. The upper baskets should be shallow to hold small to medium items like toiletries, bottles, burp cloths, bibs, and the like.
Floor Organizers
A perfect floor organizer for a baby’s closet is a rolling cart with tiered drawers or compartments. Similarly, stationary freestanding pullout bins work nicely inside the nursery closet. These units contain a series of bins or baskets with a shelf top for added storage space. Such organizers come in hard plastic, metal, mesh, or wire.
