Adding a new family member to the household can be equally as stressful as it is exciting, considering the many challenges that come with being a parent. One of the most stressful tasks early on in parenthood is figuring out which areas can be set aside for your little bundle of joy, especially if you’re tight on space already. For those needing to find some extra space in their home for a nursery, it can take a lot of creativity to find a solution right for you. However, if you’re lucky enough to have an extra room that functions as a home office, we have a potential solution that could help you keep both. While it might mean sacrificing some room or moving your home office to the kitchen table from time to time, combining your home office and nursery could be the perfect solution for adding a much-needed nursery to your home.

Below are some tips to help your nursery office transition:

Babyproof your Organization System

Organization will be the key to your office before and after your newborn is brought home. To keep your newborn safe and maintain a working office, you will always need to be on top of your organization. You don’t want them getting into unsafe office supplies that could be dangerous to their health, so it will be important to have storage that is out of reach and babyproof. This could include locking drawers, securing cabinets, installing high nooks, and expanding closet storage. The more shelving and closet space that is out of reach, the easier it will be to keep unwanted items out of their hands. The key is to find solutions that keep your toddler out while allowing you to easily access the things you need for work.

Creating a Child-Friendly Environment

You will need an environment for your child to explore that will keep them safely occupied while you are busy at work. Be sure to look for anything that could be pulled down, such as cables or cords, as well as electrical outlets. You should also protect your sharp corners on desks and cabinets with soft edge guards. You will also need to hide items that your curious little one could potentially put in their mouth. If you are able to get down on your hands and knees to look around the room, this can help you identify potential hazards from their point of view.

We recommend dedicating over half of the room to your child so there’s plenty of room for their crib, toys, changing table, hamper, rocking chair, and more. Installing blackout curtains and a dimmer switch is ideal for creating ideal sleeping conditions. You want this shared space to be one that makes them comfortable and cozy.

Have Backup Workspace

When your child is ready for a long nap, the last thing you want is a loud notification or noisy keyboard to wake them. Being able to leave your office at a moment’s notice will help you maximize your work time when you find your little one dozing off for a much-needed nap. We recommend using a laptop and having a traveling office tote with backups of all your essentials that can be transported and moved with ease.

Looking to transform your office into a nursery and need extra shelving or expanded closet space? The team at Closet America is here to help create a custom design that fits your unique needs. Our team will work with you to create solutions that will work for you and your child’s storage needs. Contact Closet America to make the most of your nursery office layout.