Do I need a nursery? 7 creative ways to make room for baby

Babies are tiny. So why do they need so much stuff—and space?

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It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, with new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggesting that it’s best for baby when she sleeps in mama’s bedroom for at least the first six months, you have all the reason in the world to think small when it comes to your little one’s nursery.

You don’t have to upgrade apartments or buy a bigger home when you’re having a baby. In fact, count us among the uber-impressed for how these creative parents made room for baby in converted closets, upgraded offices and master bedroom nooks.

We love these 7 small-space solutions:

1. The closet to mini nursery

In an expensive neighborhood in New York City, one dad decided to transform his bedroom’s 7-by-5 closet into a nursery—a move he estimates saved him and his wife $10,000 in additional rent they would have paid for a larger place. By keeping everything white, the look felt fresh and cozy instead of annoyingly cramped. Read more about how he did it at Pip and Pea.

2. The walk-in closet to tiny bedroom

If you’re lucky enough to have a truly walk-in closet (we’re jealous), then the nursery world is your oyster. There are a ton of ways you can create a sweet space for your little one (check out all the inspo here). Try streamlined decor and light colors to make the space seem larger than it really is.

3. The master bedroom nook

If your bedroom has extra space for a crib or an architectural feature that is a good fit, you can convert a small nook in your master into a corner oasis for your little one. Make it all work by complementing your bedroom’s design with your baby’s très chic space. Get more inspiration from Tabitha’s bedroom at Fresh Mommy Blog.

4. The office-nursery combo

Sometimes a mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do. And sometimes that means working and having a baby. In the same room.

You can definitely combine an office space with space for baby—and strategically work around your little one’s nap time to get things done at home. Read more about this conversion at The Sweetest Digs.

5. Baby bunk beds

Okay, so this one is kind of mind-blowing, but one space-saving mama actually created her own crib bunk beds. You’ve got to see it to believe it. Read how to do it at Oh Happy Day.

6. The floating nursery

If floor space is truly at a premium, you can buy yourself a few months by setting up a floating bassinet. This one is giving us serious design envy. Read more at Refinery29 and find the hanging cradles here.

7. The crib + dresser combo

Combine the two essential elements in any nursery into one space-saving piece—wherever you decide to put baby. Bonus points if you can keep yourself to just two drawers of tiny little clothing. Via Land of Nod.