Babies are teeny tiny, but they manage to take up a lot of space: first inside your body, then with their piles of adorable clothes, toys and furniture. If you’re already “living small,” adding a nursery can seem like a huge challenge. Fortunately, it’s not about the space you have, but how you use it. Realistically, all you need is a crib, a changing table/dresser, a comfy chair and the creativity to take advantage of every square foot. From hanging cribs to painted illusions, these 15 tiny nurseries will show you how to design every inch, and do it in style.
1. Choose a Fun Light: Ceiling lights are a great opportunity to make a visual impact on a room no matter the size and are also great for continuing the decor theme. Even though two kids inhabit this room, the pretty pom pom garlands make the whole space feel like a party. (via Apartment Therapy)
2. Stay Organized: If you’re putting baby in a corner or have several kids sharing one room, you might need to get creative with the storage. From bar carts to hanging branches and baskets, this space knows how to keep it all contained. (via Love Taza)
3. Paint the Ceiling: Or you could decorate with really cool geometric shapes. Drawing the eye up is the oldest trick in the book for making a room feel bigger, but here it has the added benefit of keeping the baby entertained as well. (via Apartment Therapy)
4. Hang Things: Take advantage of your ceiling space with mobiles and hanging plants. Suspending things adds a touch of unexpected whimsy and keeps the eyes moving around the room. (via 100 Layer Cake-let)
5. Paint the Room in Half: Having the upper half of the room light and white gives the illusion of taller ceilings. Plus, you can get as bold as you want color-wise without worrying about ending up with a teal baby cave. (via Apartment Therapy)
6. Go All Neutral: Yes, white is gender “neutral” (pun intended), but whites are also great for reflecting light and perfect for opening up a narrow little nursery. (via The Style Files)
7. Hang Art to the Ceiling: Gallery walls aren’t just for the living room. Hanging art all the way up the wall makes a room feel luxurious and also makes it easy to keep all your favorite pieces of art without having to pick and choose. (via Apartment Therapy)
8. Paint Vertical Stripes: Just like in fashion, vertical stripes are slimming and they can visually elongate a wall (especially if you’re working with a sloping attic ceiling). These subtle two-tone stripes are fun, but still create a soft, serene mood. (via PopSugar)
9. Hang Curtains Above the Windows: This sneaky little trick makes the windows looks bigger and the ceiling seem higher. The window in this room is actually quite small, but the long, sheer panels give the visual effect of a big, bright light source. (via The McBaileys)
10. Hang the Crib: We would never have thought of this creative solution, but if you’re sharing your one bedroom or studio with the new family member, you might have to compromise on a big crib. When it comes to organizing, go vertical and place items you may only need sporadically at a higher level, while placing the everyday items within reach. (via Refinery 29)
11. Consider the Closet: Here is proof that a closet can turn into a very stylish little nursery at a low budget. For under $450, these homeowners gave up their walk-in closet and turned it into a cozy nursery space. (via Apartment Therapy)
12. Utilize Wall Space: Save closet space (or create a closet) by hanging baby’s clothes under wall shelves or bringing in textures through art and wall hangings. (via Refinery 29)
13. Dark Walls: If pastel shades aren’t your thing, don’t be afraid to go for darker shades, even in a small nursery. Dark accent walls can give the illusion of depth in a smaller room, and if it’s chalkboard paint, they can draw on it when they get a little older. (via Little Green Notebook)
14. Accent Wall: Probably the smallest nursery we’ve ever seen, this 6′ x 6′ closet space was the only option in a studio apartment. But seriously, who needs a nursery when you have that wallpaper? (via Cup of Jo)
15. Nautical Blues: A small home with a toddler can make you feel a little claustrophobic. So choosing to paint the walls cool, calming tones will help make the space feel light and airy. Also, using horizontal stripes in a narrow space helps to visually expand the room. (via Apartment Therapy)
How did you decorate your small nursery? Share your tips and advice in the comments below!
