You don't need a nursery, a playroom or a big house to raise a baby. Plenty of families do it beautifully in a one-bedroom apartment. The key is to choose less gear, use your walls and pick things that fold away.
Room-sharing works in your favor
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in their parents' room, on a separate sleep surface, ideally for at least the first six months. So a small apartment is already set up for one of the best sleep arrangements for a newborn. Choose a compact crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards, and keep it bare.
Use the walls
Floor space is precious. Move what you can up the wall.
- Books: the Aspen picture book shelves are only 1.9 inches deep and hold books face out. Their micro-nail hooks leave only tiny holes in painted walls, and there's an adhesive option for smooth surfaces like tile or wood panels. Mount them away from the sleep space and changing area.
- Hooks by the door for the diaper bag, carrier and coats.
- A wall shelf above the changing area for spare supplies, out of reach.
Skip the changing table
A changing pad on a dresser, or a portable pad on the bed or floor, works just as well. Keep supplies in a caddy that moves with you. The Tuck diaper caddy has two removable dividers and folds flat when you don't need it. Our diaper caddy guide covers what goes inside.
Choose gear that folds, deflates or packs away
- A floor seat that deflates. The Mallow floor seat has a built-in pump and deflates flat for storage. Floor use only, with an adult within arm's reach.
- A play tent that folds for toddler years. The Hideout folds down when you need the floor back.
- A stroller that folds small, stored by the door or in a closet.
Pick one piece of furniture that does two jobs
A single bookshelf with cubbies and a toy bin replaces a toy box, baskets and a bookcase. The Elm bookshelf is just 24.4 inches wide. Anchor it to the wall with the included device.
Keep baby things to one zone
A corner of the living room with a play mat and a basket can be the "baby zone". At night, a few minutes of tidying puts it all back and the room is yours again. See living room toy storage ideas.
Buy less, borrow more
Babies outgrow gear quickly. Borrow or buy second-hand for short-use items (but never a second-hand car seat or crib without knowing its history), and pass things on as soon as they're outgrown.
Be a good neighbor
- A rug and some soft furnishings help absorb noise.
- A friendly note to neighbors when the baby arrives goes a long way.
- White noise in your room can help everyone sleep.
Questions parents ask
Can you raise a baby in a one-bedroom apartment?
Absolutely. Babies need very little space, and room-sharing is recommended for the first months anyway.
Where do you put a baby in a small apartment?
A bassinet or compact crib in your bedroom for sleep, and a small play zone in the living area.
What baby gear can I skip in a small space?
A changing table, a large toy box and bulky single-use gadgets.
More ideas in small nursery ideas.
