Many new parents are puzzled by how such a tiny person can need so much “stuff”. There are countless ways you can make your home work for you – from great functional furniture to having baby stations all over the home, you can spare the environment and your wallet by being well organized. You are far less likely to need many disposable items if you have a handle on where things are at all times.
We created this list of simple ways to keep yourself organized and make life with your newborn even easier! As always, keep in mind that we try to help you save both
your wallet and the planet; our tips are mommy and daddy friendly, baby
friendly, and earth friendly!
Tip 1: Open Baskets
Having everything your child owns in an easily accessible spot can help a tremendous amount. Baskets can go a long way, especially with the volume of clothes your newborn is bound to go through. Get open baskets and sort them on a bookshelf with labels. Open baskets are great for getting things with one hand. They are easy to clean up and labeling them can keep the search for your baby’s comfort minimal.
If you want to match the colors of the room, we recommend obtaining baskets that complement the room’s theme. All of your baby items will look neater and the room’s colors will not be compromised by tacky looking containers. You can maintain versatility and value while saving money and time. No matter if your home is traditional or modern, open baskets will fit in perfectly with your home’s style. Click here for some inspiration on how to organize your open baskets.
Tip 2: Space to Store for Future Use
“Recycling is cool” – whether it be bottles, boxes or baby clothes! When your baby grows out of those adorable little clothes, store them in bins and label them by size. Chances are you will have another child, you will have a friend that has a child, or you will decide to donate the clothes to a charity in the future. This is a small way to contribute to the greater good and/or reduce your expenses!
There are many great charities, such as Loved Twice and Donation Town, that collect and provide clothing for those in need. If you can’t salvage certain items of clothing, take a few special items of clothing and make them in to a memory quilt. Having a keepsake made from your favorite outfits is the perfect gift for future grandchildren!
Tip 3: Baby Stations
It can be easy to forget that your newborn will inhabit the entire household, not just the nursery. Other than the nursery, pick the room that your child will spend the most time in and store the following for easy accessibility:
• Diapers (there are many green diaper options on the market)
• Wipes (for an eco-friendly alternative to disposable wipes that may contain unsafe chemicals, try cloth wipes)
• Extra clothes or binkies
• Cookies or dry snacks
• Toys
When your little one has an accident or needs to be changed, you will have an arsenal of diapers, wipes or binkies at your disposal so you’re not constantly making trips upstairs.
Tip 4: Make Your Tools Work for You!
Bottles and nipples are so little and can easily get lost or mixed up in all your other baby supplies. Keep your child’s bottle accessories in a separate location by using clear, BPA-free bins to store everything from bottles and nipples to utensils. Having them stored in clear containers will make finding what you need easier and more efficient.
Not only can you organize your child’s utensils, but you can also manage those cluttered clothing drawers. Utilizing drawer separators within your baby furniture will help separate the little items from the clothes. Try to organize your newborn’s apparel by time of day and clothing type so that it will be less challenging and more fun to dress your child.
Getting organized can be challenging, so try to make it fun! By maintaining a versatile and modern look using contemporary storage tools, your baby’s living space can boost your design confidence and make your life easier. Don’t be afraid to mix in baby items around the house – it’s a great way to begin merging more a contemporary design with your traditional style. Little changes here and there can eventually create a dynamic transitional home that not only changes in style – but also in spirit – with a new baby adding the greatest new element of all!
Have some great tips for how to merge green and contemporary baby designs with traditional home décor? What are some ways that you stay organized? Share some of your ideas in the comment section below!
