apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I cant think of a specific shape but make sure there are clean clothes, a trash can, and a hamper of some sort near the changing table. Have a place to put an empty bottle next to the rocker (if you have one).

Have all your diaper supplies in the change table so you never need to walk away. And have a side table large enough beside your nursing chair to have a lamp, glass of water, books, blanket, and burp clothes right there. Besides that, nothing is too far away.

I think that linear model is better that the triangle =walk along and grab things as you pass by. Also, we learned that the changing table should be as far away from the crib and anything else as possible [we had a pretty nasty flying poop accident that left half a nursery dirty, and made us re-think the layout]. For the same reason - do store things in the boxes below or above the changing table. Store extra sheets and sleeping gown where you can reach them easily. We did not have a rocker (I breastfed for 20 months), but we used a yoga ball for rocking the baby to sleep.

I agree with the first two commenters. Also, it's nice to have a high shelf right inside the door where, as you enter the room, you can leave your coffee cup or whatever might be in your hand that isn't baby friendly. This is an idea from an old Martha Stewart Baby magazine and I've used it in three nurseries now.

I'd also designate a spot near the changing table for the diaper bag to live, so that when you're getting baby ready for an outing, you can get the bag ready, too.

i will say that when your babys room starts to collect toys itd be a good idea to keep them all in one area or corner. even better if that corner is as far away from the door, bed, and closet as possible. your feet will thank you. :)

My baby's not due until February, so I can't offer any advice, but this was a great question and I'm really enjoying the responses. Especially the high shelf idea and the flying poop alert.
Thank you!

As someone who designs nurseries for a living, the best advice I give my clients is to have the cleaning supplies and the diapers within an arms reach or closer. Expect the unexpected when it comes to the diaper changing area. As for the rest of the room, a comfy chair next to a table or night stand for a lamp, clock and a place to put the bottle down is important. Given that most nurseries in apartments are fairly small,the problem of furniture placement is generally dictated by the available wall space and location of the closet and room door, radiator or AC unit and window.If you need help with your nursery contact me.

When our son was born we were in a one room apt, so we were forced to have everything "on hand" in one corner of our room, but it worked out so nicely, we did the same thing with our daughter, even though we had the room to spread out. Having all the diapering accessories under the changing table, along with a big basket of gowns and onesies for night changes made our lives so much easier. We also had a small nightstand next to our rocking chair, with burp clothes, breast pads, binkies and a carafe of water all at hand. Furniture with shelves or drawers are lifesavers, and you'll figure out what you need close to you pretty quickly! :)

This is an excellent question: 1) You'll first want to predetermine which end of the changing table is for baby's head vs. bottom. Then, it is most convenient to locate the diapers & especially wipes, cleaning fluids etc. by the "bottom" end. Same goes for the diaper pail. It should be easily accessible from the "bottom" end so that the mess can go straight in, without passing back over the baby. Toys, mobile, other changing distractions should go at the "head" end. 2) Locate crib, toys etc. OUT OF THE PATH from your bedroom to the changing table. Locate toy area OUT OF THE PATH from your bedroom to crib, too. In other words, allow yourself a clear stumble zone in the middle of the night. This will come in handy when baby becomes a toddler and loses the crib rail too. You may also want to locate the crib so that baby will not be able to see you sneaking by after-hours on your way to bed. 3) A table by the rocking chair is indispensible. But be very careful about setting a hot cup of coffee near the baby!

We have two kids sharing a room, so we had to be efficient with space. I found that the work flow was easier with baby #2 because it forced me to keep small amounts of everything in baskets on the shelves of the changing table: diapers, wipes, wash cloths, lotion, Vaseline, extra Onesies and socks, a hairdrier, bulb syringe and nasal saline. (The lotions and potions are high up so my toddler can't get into trouble.) Within arm's reach of the changing table are the clothes hamper and the diaper pail. We spend a lot of time there, so I have a mobile hanging from the ceiling and at least one toy to occupy baby. Don't forget a nightlight near the changing table so you don't blind both of you during midnight changes.

Keep the rest of the diapers, sheets, and extras in the closet so you can re-stock safely between diaper changes (ie: not leaving baby unattended on a high surface).

And I totally agree with the previous post: no toys allowed near the pathway between the nursery and parents' bedroom to avoid stumbling in the bleary hours of the night. For that very reason, we moved all the toys out of the nursery and into the living room. This also allows me to keep an eye on the kids' activities while cooking dinner and going about daily tasks.

I'm thinking of night time: having a night light somewhere in the room to switch on for middle of the night feedings and checking on the baby without turning on a bright lamp...also making sure you can "feel around" in near pitch blackness for a new diaper and some wipes when a middle of the night diaper change is necessary--this will be more of an issue around 5 months or so when baby starts to "notice" the bright lights and you don't want him to awaken too much. Also a spare onesie or jammies at hand if he messes up the one you put him to bed in...also a clock to gauge how long you have fed and such. Good luck with your new baby!

it's funny how different things are important for different families. i would never think of a clock as being important in a nursery, especially related to feedings. we also had very few toys in the nursery because we spent our time in the living room, so that's where baby played.

my older son had a nursery and i got it all ready ahead of time. the changing table held diapers, wipes & supplies on top, onesies, jammies, socks/bibs/hats and receiving blankets underneath. if you can't store clothing at the changing table, just keep one change of clothes on/in it in case you unexpectedly need it. other than that, we had the crib and a rocker next to a low bookshelf, with a lamp on the bookshelf. that's it! the rest of the clothes were in the small closet, along with any gear (sling, diaper bag, etc).

my younger son did not have a nursery, just slept with me. the "nursery" was still occupied by the 18-month-old boy #1. we had baskets for diapering in the living room and our bedroom, so we could change him (well, both of them!) wherever we were. this experience made me realize how much simpler it all could have been with the first one. babies don't need much other than their parents.

Another tip (not sure if someone mentioned already? i haven't had enough coffee) is to have verything accessible with ONE HAND, i.e drawers should run smoothly, wipes case should open with a simple button, baskets shouldn't be too heavy or high, diaper pail should either be a button and very closeby for throwing in or open with a foot pedal and have a wide opening! Your one hand will be reaching/tossing while the other "controls" (either holding baby for safety or also holding down a surprise diaper while you reach for that wipe).

As architectmom was saying, for me the "bottom" was my son's legs to the right, as I am right handed and therefore could reach and manipulate all of the supplies on the right end of the table. OUr change table is one of those ones with the raised end, but I dont think those are necessary or that I would purchase one again as they are hard to re-pupose.

I *heart* the Martha Stewart idea of a high shelf inside the door! I'm totally adding one for my removeable appendage: coffee cup :)