8 Baby Nursery Layout Ideas

8 Baby Nursery Layout Ideas

Written by: Alyssa Larsen

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Time to read 7 min

Setting up your baby’s room is like placing puzzle pieces together. Finding just the right layout in the nursery will be crucial to the aesthetic and functionality of the space. If you’re standing in the nursery doorway wondering, how does it all fit together? We’ll show you how!

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8 Nursery Layout Ideas

Before you start setting up the nursery, imagine how you will use the room and what aspects are most important to you.

  • Will you peek from the door to check on your baby in the crib?

  • Will you need a light next to the changing area for nighttime diaper changes?

  • Do you want to sit close to the crib while soothing your baby or do you prefer space to stand and sway?

Try drawing up a floor plan of your nursery layout with these ideas in mind:

Centered Crib

Your crib will be the focal point of the nursery when you center it against the wall. You could place your glider and changing table on either side of the crib for easy access to both while caring for your little one. 


If your baby’s room is large enough, you could even set the crib up in the center of the room to allow space in the four corners for other nursery furniture and essentials.

Cornered Crib

Putting the crib in the corner of the room may give you more open floor space to move around the nursery. 


You could push the crib into the corner, touching two sides to the walls, or you could angle the crib across the corner facing the center of the room.

Changing Station Next to the Crib


Much of your time with your sweet newborn will be spent changing diapers and putting them to sleep, so it only makes sense to keep the crib and changing table next to each other. 


To create a nursery changing station , Nurture& offers a dresser and changing topper combo to keep diapering supplies and fresh clothes all in one place and within arm’s reach.

Seating Beside the Crib

When you’re up frequently in the night with your baby, a nursery glider or rocking chair right next to the crib can minimize your late-night shuffling. 


Soothe and cuddle your little one with the gentle motion of a glider or rocker that keeps mom and dad comfortable, too. Once your baby has fallen asleep, you can put them down in their bed with minimal movement .

Nursing Station Opposite the Crib

With a seat further away from the crib, you’ll have plenty of space to set up a side table and to recline your chair. 


Breastfeeding and bottle feeding can be more efficient when you create a nursing or feeding station with your glider on the opposite side of the room from the crib.

Assigned Play Area

Designate a section of the room to play. Even in the early weeks of life, babies will benefit from playtime and tummy time on the floor. With a cushioned, but supportive playpad , you and your baby will enjoy playing in the nursery together.

Dresser in the Hall

Taking the dresser “out of the room” and putting it in the hall is a game changer when you need extra floor space in the nursery. 


A small dresser can be tucked away in the closet with plenty of room for tiny baby clothes to hang over the top. Also, this layout might allow you to have double the storage with a larger dresser in the nursery as well.

Crib on the Same Wall As the Door

Placing the crib close to the nursery door is convenient for peeking in at your sleeping baby. You can get a good look into the crib without fully opening the door and walking into the room. 


Setting the crib up beside the door allows room for large nursery furniture on the other side of the room so it doesn’t interfere with the entryway and keeps the crib safely away from windows.

How to Plan Your Baby Room Layout

The key to making your nursery ideas come to life is to plan ahead. Before you bring home—or order online —a bunch of furniture pieces, make sure you complete your design plan to-do list.

Measure the Room

Write down the measurements to show how much space you have to work with. Sketch out the general shape of the room and label the length of each wall and where the doors and windows are.

Prioritize Your Wants and Needs

Many parents find that the crib naturally becomes the centerpiece of the room . Once you decide on a crib for the nursery, other furniture and essentials fall into place. Start with the basics—in a matching set —and solidify your layout before adding any extras.

Check Furniture Measurements

Before you buy anything in-store or online, check the length and width of each piece of furniture. If you’re setting up in a small or awkwardly shaped room, this step is pivotal to creating a functional nursery .

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Fill In Your Nursery Floor Plan

Since you’ve already measured the room and the furniture you want, you can map out the room on paper to see what it might look like. 


You may not be an interior design professional, but drawing out a few different options can save you time and the hassle of moving heavy furniture several times.

Nursery Design Tips for Small Rooms

A baby nursery tends to be one of the smallest rooms in the house. Be intentional with a nursery design that maximizes the area to create a practical, comfortable space. These tips for small nursery ideas will help you make the most of your baby’s room.

Prioritize Multifunctional Baby Furniture

Furniture pieces that serve more than one purpose save you space and money. A convertible crib can someday be transitioned into a toddler bed, and a dresser with a changing topper eliminates the need for a separate changing table in the nursery.

Select Small Furniture

Oversized nursery furniture can play a large part in making the room feel small. Take advantage of your small space by selecting furniture that fits the room well. 


The Milan Crib allows you to convert between a small bassinet and a full-sized crib with just a few adjustments. A three-drawer dresser can share the same wall as the crib or a small rocking chair.

Let In Natural Light

Blackout curtains for nursery window treatments are best for a sleeping baby, but when you’re spending time in the room to care for and play with your baby, pull back the curtains to allow the sunlight to brighten up the room. 


A well-placed mirror will work with the natural light to make the room feel more open.

Choose a Subtle Color Palette

Pastelpaint colorsand whiteroom decor will help the nursery look larger. Dark colors and sharp contrasts can make an already small room feel more cramped. 


Furniture, like a bookshelf, designed with a natural and white finish, will compliment your soft color palette and is the perfect place to set nursery decor.

Nursery Furniture: The Essentials

No matter how you choose to set up your baby’s room, Nurture& has the basic furniture pieces every nursery layout should include.

The Crib

An adjustable full-size crib made of premium, non-toxic materials and designed to fit in with any nursery theme. 


The Crib has six color options and can be converted to a toddler bed when your little one is ready to make the transition. Consider the Milan Crib for its versatile 3-in-1 design that adjusts from a bassinet to a full-size crib to a toddler bed.

The Dresser

Storage and organization are crucial to maintaining a tidy nursery room. The Dresser offers seven drawers to hold all your baby's clothes and supplies. You’ll easily find what you need when everything has a designated spot. 


The Dresser is crafted for functionality and durability to be a long-lasting piece in your family’s home.


If you don’t have the space for a large dresser, a three-drawer dresser may be just the right size for your nursery. 


Two small dressers in different areas of the room might work better in your nursery layout while still providing plenty of storage space.

The Changing Topper

As an accessory to the Dresser, the Changing Topper creates the ultimatechanging station in your nursery without taking up more floor space with a separate changing table. 


You can add the Changing Topper to the Dresser during the diaper days of parenting, and seamlessly remove it to continue utilizing the dresser storage as your child grows.

The Glider

The smooth, gliding motion of this chair creates the ideal environment for soothing and bonding with your baby in unparalleled comfort. Made with parents in mind, The Glider features a power recline and adjustable headrest to give customized support to caregivers of different heights. 


The Glider is upholstered in stain-resistant fabric and can be found in three neutral colors to pair well with any nursery design.


The perfect nursery layout for your baby’s room is within reach! Nurture& has the nursery furniture and accessories to fill your little one’s nursery with functional, modern pieces. Check out our online store to find everything you need and find more ideas for parents, by parents in our Journal .

Alyssa Larsen

Alyssa Larsen

Alyssa Larsen is a stay-at-home mom with a passion for writing. Before starting her career as a freelance writer, Alyssa devoted all of her time to her family and raising her young children. The evolution of her motherhood journey and parenting experience inspires her work. She strives to always tell a story that is helpful and relatable to the person reading it. Alyssa lives in Ohio with her husband and four hilarious kids.