This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. So you’re having a baby or seriously considering it? Then you might be house hunting for a bigger place – maybe a home with enough room for a separate nursery or a large one bedroom urban apartment with space to carve out a spot for baby. In either case before you jump on Zillow or go on showings with a realtor, I have a few home search tips and interior considerations to help you be more prepared to make room for baby. 1. CLosets. Closets. Closets. Closet storage might seem like an obvious thing to look for in any home, but it can be a life saver when a new baby makes three. Particularly, if you are moving into a small home or that one bedroom apartment. With small living being so popular, homeowners have gotten super clever turning tiny spaces into a nursery – tucking the crib or changing table right into the closet is one of those ways. Simply take off the doors to a closet voila you have a chic, neat nursery nook. Another reason that makes this totally doable are all the new products designed for small spaces now on the market – mini cribs and organizational storage are conveniently available in many styles and price ranges. 2. Knooks an cranies You might be looking at a home that has an odd shaped second bedroom that your eyeing as the baby room – maybe columns or walls jutting out leaving you with questionable furniture placement. Before you make this property a hard no, keep in mind that nursery furniture takes up less space that adult furniture. Be sure and take some exact measurements and math them against a full size crib or even a mini-crib. Both are manufactured in pretty standard sizes. As for another essential functionality when caring for baby thre's the changing area. You don't need a large dresser. You do want something at a comfortable height with a base that gives you enough counter area for a standard changing pad table. You can find clever wall storage for those key baby toiletries and diapers. Just search "small space nursery ideas". 3. CreEKYOk ladies and gents this tip is super practical, but could be the difference of you getting sleep after having a newborn or never sleeping. Be sure that the floors are not squeaky, they are not quaint or charming they are what will wake up a baby in a nano second. After a baby has been sleeping in your arms for an hour or who seems sound asleep in their crib with just one "eeerrrk" of your foot pressing onto a loose floor board and it's all over. If there are squeaky floor boards definitely ask that they are fixed before your move in date. 4. Round AbOUT If you are moving into a new home and needing new furniture for the new space there are a couple things to take into consideration when it comes to co-habitatinf with future little ones. Smooth round edges are your friend. Unless you think covering your beautiful furniture with ugly sharp corner protectors is a good look. When picking out that side table or coffee table make a selection of something a little more friendly. Even the modernist are doing it. Babies are notorious for putting their mouths on things and might find the coffee table a convenient teething ring so another thing to add to your shopping list is furniture made with safe, non-toxic materials and finishes. These are both better for people and their environment. Lucky for you, these days more and more brands are listing very specific product and environmental attributes on their website like no-off gassing and zero voc. It is more common than ever to find kid’s products made of organic materials, even from the large retailers at varying price points from IKEA to Crate & Barrel. For more info. 5. MASTERING THE BEDROOM I know everyone seems to love their king size beds, but my grandpa told me that if I wanted a good marriage to stick with a queen to feel closer to your partner even when you're asleep. That is some good advice, but we have another reason for suggesting that you buy a smaller bed. For sure it's less expensive for the bed frame, mattress and sheets. But the big idea is to have a bit more space around the bed in your bedroom for baby. That's right it is recommend by the American Academy of Pediatricians that a baby sleeps with the parents for at least the first six months and optimally for the first year. Now, that is not in your bed which is unsafe, but in a separate bassinet or crib near the bed or at least in the room. Another reason for having a little extra space in the master. There are great options for bassinets or co-sleeping beds. Some can butt up against your bed to make nighttime feedings easier. Not to mention keeping a close eye on that little one has they sleep and begin to move. 6. It's Hard Since hardwoods are much easier to keep clean than carpet getting into a home with hardwoods is best if you're dreaming of a little one crawling around on the ground. But if there is wall-to-wall don't count the home out. Be sure and ask if there are hardwoods underneath that dirt and bacteria soaked carpet. Another option is to set aside a budget for installing hardwoods as part of your purchase and move in costs. 10/2/2019 11:33:27 am
That's a really good point that closet storage becomes pretty essential with a growing family. My brother's wife is pregnant with baby number three. They'll have to make sure they look at house listings that have enough storage space and bedrooms. Comments are closed.
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