I love our cozy one bedroom condo, I really do. They layout of the living space is great. The location is perfect. Not to mention, we’re right on the river and there is just something about being on the water that makes me happy. Especially in the summer, I love that we can open the living room up to the back patio and practically double our entertaining space! The thing I don’t love? The closets – or lack thereof. There is a closet in the bedroom and a teeny tiny one in the hall but by the time we attempt to find room for our clothes, vacuum, gym bag & boxing gloves, yoga mat, skis and snowboard (forget about all my scrapbook stuff that is eternally in the storage unit) well, you get the picture. It just isn’t enough!

This same problem – the great storage space dilemma – is a struggle in many children’s bedrooms and playrooms, including nurseries. Today we’re going to take a look at a few creative solutions to the age-old problem of storing our stuff!

A fabulous idea for storing small metal toys (like matchbox cars) came from the blog Nursery Notations. These wall-mounted magnetic strips (usually meant for knives or other kitchen gadgets) are perfect for keeping small toys out from under-foot! Similar products can be found at IKEA, Target, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond among others.

Wall-mounted shelves are also a great way to get some of the clutter up off the ground. Even better, when they can double as decor! This darling boat-shaped shelf is from a nautical nursery designed by Little Crown Interiors.

Miss James of Bleubird Vintage had some fabulously inspired organization when putting together her daughter Gemma’s sweet little nursery. Old milk crates and wire baskets (watch for sharp edges!) just as functional as aesthetically pleasing, are perfect for storing toys and books. Also – I love how she hung several darling dresses on the wall above the crib – both helping with the limited closet space and doubling as unique wall decor! Check out the rest of Gemma’s nursery here. Photos from the Bleubird blog.

In a nursery, rather than having separate changing table and dressers combine the two into one. Add a changing pad to the top of a dresser and the piece can do double duty! Not to mention, once you don’t need the changing table simply remove the pad and you have a piece appropriate for an older child. If you don’t have enough room in the drawers for diapers, wipes, etc use decorative photo boxes on wall-mounted shelves to store your extra supplies.

The Expedit bookcase from IKEA pictured below is perfect storage for nursery, child’s room, or even a playroom. Some shelves can be used to display toys or other decor while the rest hold baskets for storing toys and games. An organization idea for little ones that can’t read yet: snap a picture of what goes in each basket, laminate and attach so they know where their toys go when it’s time to help clean up!

Photo of nursery designed by Megan of Me and Wee for her daughter.

Don’t forget to check out our updated SERVICES page with details on design services from Bella Bambini! New website coming soon…