Genevieve sent us an email: "We live in a one bedroom apartment, and have been co-sleeping with our baby (no separate nursery). She is now starting to walk, and we are wondering what we need to do to keep her safe. I think we covered the basics of babyproofing (childproof outlet covers, etc), but I am nervous about her getting out of bed while we are still sleeping! Is it possible to babyproof our master bedroom and still have it look stylish?"
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: nursery(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
I think the biggest issue is can the baby get out of the room by herself. We have doorknob protectors that little hands can't turn the knob. Secure the door, secure the closet doors, and maybe consider strapping heavy furniture to the wall with earthquake straps in case she is a climber. No medication of any kind in the room is a big deal to - not even aspirin or antacids, anything she may eat as candy.
Those magnets make me wish I hadn't insisted on a stainless steel fridge!
Babyproofing *A* master bedroom. Not 'an'. :)
I agree with the doorknob protectors and securing furniture to the walls. Also, if there is a computer in the room, a locking computer armoire would be good. Essentially, just keeping the room tidy, organized, and minimalist will cut down on things for baby to trip over, pick up and chew on, and otherwise potentially destroy. :)
I'd also add corner protectors if you have sharp angles on your bedside table, and something to break her fall if she doesn't quite manage a graceful dismount off the bed (my child is 2 and he still has the occasional accident, usually when he's too excited to be careful). Make sure any drawer low enough to reach has a catch so it won't come out all the way and land on little toes. Alternatively, invest in those childproof lock thingies for all doors and drawers within reach. Anything small enough to be swallowed (e.g. coins, jewellery) should be locked away or out of reach.
As your child grows, you'll also want to watch out for hard toys/objects hitting mirrors, glassware and other breakables.
If you have room, it might be nice to set up a play rug and some books and toys (change them every week or so) in a corner to keep her busy. In my experience, chaos is most likely to ensue when a child is bored.
Having said all this, you might find that the first thing she does before even getting out of bed...is to make sure you're awake, too! :-)
We just put our queen-sized bed on the floor against the wall (boxspring and mattress) and have a Dex rail on the exposed side. We try to corral the little crawling monkey during naps with bolsters and big IKEA pillows, and a crashpad quilt on one side just in case. Our bedroom looks like a college dorm room now and our dressers looks massive and out of place. We might even have to take the boxspring out to reduce the bed height in the event of a fall. I wish there was a more attractive solution.