https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:31:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help/page/2#post-938130 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:31:44 +0000 BronxvilleBump 938130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HoneyBear WHEW, it is soooo refreshing to here all of this! I'm glad that the minimalist route works out fine for most people. I tend to be a minimalist in general when it comes to my home because clutter tends to give me anxiety. It's so nice to hear everything you did and what worked for you. Thanks! :D</p> <p>@Lindsayinny I wish we could Lindsay! Right before I met my husband he purchased some really beautiful expensive HUGE bedroom furniture pieces and we were lucky enough to have them fit in the bedroom. They will not fit anywhere else and probably are the most valuable items we own. I do have a closet that is pretty deep in the bedroom and space next to my side of the bed though. The jumper is a great idea! I'd love to hear what your friend ended up doing in bronxville. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-937802 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:13:34 +0000 LindsayInNY 937802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there a way that you could move some bedroom furniture into the sunroom? Like a dresser or something? That would give you a little more space in your bedroom for a small crib or pack and play and not take up the closet either?</p> <p>We're in a two bedroom but the second bedroom has to be a multi-purpose room - a mix of guest room, office and (eventual nursery). So we've had to keep that in mind when furnishing it. Friends of ours in Bronxville just had a baby last week and I'm dying to check out their setup. They're in a one bedroom but there's a separate dining room in each apartment which they were going to somehow divide and use as a nursery area.</p> <p>Also, someone may have already recommended this, but if you have an open doorway where you can install/hang a jumper seat thing (I don't know the proper name), I was told those are great space savers. They don't require floorspace, are small to store, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-937505 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 05:23:48 +0000 honeybear 937505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm late to the party, but we've always lived in 2br or less and LO is almost 3. I think you've gotten good suggestions, but I'd go one step further: try to go minimalist. We never bought a crib. It turns out we all liked cobedding, but we had a cosleeper (a 'full size' one will last until they are almost 1, if they're small) and used it for naps. If you can go the mattress on the floor route, you wouldn't even need the cosleeper. I bought some travel changing mats and changed LO wherever. This was a very useful skill to master early on as a city mom (not NYC, but similar). LO had this stuff for entertainment as an infant: some picture postcards, a couple washable colorful thick baby quilts (for tummy time/playtime/whatever), a Sophie, books, and a few stuffed animals. No swing or bouncer or exersaucer. I did buy a pram and it was really useful. I also had a sling, diapers, baby clothes, and a plastic bath 'bed' to prop him up on for sponge baths (helpful but not necessary). Also some pacis and bottles. And that was it. I think it is great to have a nursery if you want one, but you don't need it. If space is at a premium, just skip the 'stuff.' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-937366 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:39:45 +0000 BronxvilleBump 937366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MeredithNyc Totally agree with the gently used baby items and then reselling them to save space. I've always kind of thought it was silly to always buy brand new things for a baby who really does not know the diff and will grow out of everything so fast. But that's just my opinion as a cheap money saving mama ;)</p> <p>@BunnyLove08 I LOVE that you made it work in your 1bedroom apartment in Brooklyn! Changing pad on top of dresser is also a good idea. It's always about using the space you have! The tall storage is also a plus. Thanks for sharing your experience!</p> <p>@RachieCakes I so wish we could do that but sadly our bedroom furniture is massive and there is no way we could fit in the sunroom (husband and I). My idea is to turn the sunroom into a semi baby room but still have a mini crib or pack n play in our bedroom (possibly thinking the closet)</p> <p>@LaMariniere Glad to here from another 1 bedroom family! Sounds like you really did not need much as in furniture when it came to the baby. Good to know. Also I will look into Parent List..I never heard of it!</p> <p>@Pirouette I can't wait to see the pics!!! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-936081 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:27:32 +0000 Pirouette 936081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: ha, i hear you! DH and i lived in a tiny studio for 4 years and the kitchen table was his office, so i am definitely used to small spaces (and the need to declutter!) having a 2br feels so big comparatively (although i'm sure that won't be the case once baby comes!) </p> <p>I will definitely post some pics of the nursery/office, once we get around to planning it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-936041 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:20:32 +0000 lamariniere 936041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: DS was born when we lived in NYC in a 1 bedroom. The only furniture we bought was a crib and a small dresser. We changed DS in the crib. We eventually moved to a 2br, and then out of NYC entirely. However, I don't think I would forego the crib as we are STILL using it now and DS is 2.5 and it will be used for baby 2 later this year. </p> <p>Craigslist and the local parent list were great for getting gear like bouncers, swings, etc, and also for getting rid of baby gear the second he was done with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-936011 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:11:09 +0000 rachiecakes 936011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: your apartment sounds just like my friends' - would it be possible to move your bedroom to the sunroom and keep the nursery in the bedroom? That's what my friend did. The baby needed more quite and darkness than they did. </p> <p>We live in a tiny two bedroom townhouse and are in the process of moving the office downstairs so DS can finally have a room (he's 19 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935881 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:32:24 +0000 bunnylove08 935881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we had LO we lived in a one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. We made due with what we had. We had 3 dressers (DH had a tall one, took up less space, I had a regular size one from ikea and DD has a hand me down dresser). We put a changing pad on top of her dresser and we change her there. When we went to my dad's house we changed her on the floor, sofa, bed... I really appreciated my changing pad and not having to sit on the floor and having all my things in one designated place. </p> <p>we put a crib next to our bed, but had a rock and play. DD slept in that for about a month or two, then we used the RnP as a seat for her when she was hanging out with us and when she was ready for solids we used that as her feeding chair. </p> <p>we only kept things that she could use now and anything that took up space or clothes that didnt fit her we stored under the bed, exchanged or asked our family to store for us. We swapped out gear quickly so we didnt lose space and she's small so we got small toys for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935837 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:20:35 +0000 meredithNYC 935837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with all of these suggestions and just have one to add. In my experience, you can get really good deals on gently used baby stuff exactly because everyone is in the same boat and they don't want to have baby gear cluttering up their apartments. In our case, instead of buying our swing or jumperoo, we bought them used for around $25 each and then sold them again after our LO had grown out of that stage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935820 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:16:58 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBells Do you notice a huge diff from the 1 bedroom to the 2bedroom? Or were you fine making it work with the small space? :)</p> <p>@Looch I LOVE your quote.. "Buy stuff only when you need it, it's always getting better and cheaper as a result". That is something I need to follow! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935751 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:04:55 +0000 deactivated_account 935751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: Awesome list! Thanks!! </p> <p>I love apartment therapy, as well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935750 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:04:53 +0000 looch 935750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lived in a tiny walk up apartment in NYC for many years, but honestly, my biggest tip is just to declutter your current stuff and resist the urge to load up on baby gear. I personally hate having stuff stashed everywhere, so raising my bed and couch are out and I also don't like the look of a lot of vertical storage solutions. As I've gotten older, I've gotten simpler, I think. Buy stuff only when you need it, it's always getting better and cheaper as a result. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935728 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:59:36 +0000 Mrsbells 935728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: We were in a 1 bedroom apartment, when LO was born, we moved her crib, changer and dresser into our room and we made it work. We recently moved into a two bedroom apartment </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935681 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:49:40 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaisyMay Thanks! As time goes by I will deff be updating this board with photos and ideas I come up with. Please feel free to keep sharing any photos of your Small Space Savers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935677 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:48:40 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ModernDaisy it seems like it's all about de-cluttering and finding what works for the space. The stroller is another big thing I have to think about... where are we going to put it and how much FUN it will be carrying down 3 flights of stairs. </p> <p>Also...who had the nerve to mention anything about your high chair?! Umm...I DONT THINK SO! No time for that silliness ;)<br /> (The New Yorker in me would SAB..that is code for something, first word is SLAP lol) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935665 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:45:38 +0000 MaisyMay 935665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: If you need more tips/pics let me know. We live in the Bay Area and places are expensive so we'll be staying where we are for a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935652 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:43:42 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsJazz I LOVE Apartment Therapy also, I only just recently found out about it! THANK YOU so much for all the links I could really use them!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935647 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:42:03 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaisyMay You really have your stuff together new mama, CONGRATS! What a great list of tips and changes!! I am going to have loads to talk about with my husband tonight (poor dude lol). Thankyou so much for including photos! It's awesome to see what people have done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935639 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:39:33 +0000 Modern Daisy 935639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: While I definitely won't claim having a 'small' apartment by NYC standards, our two bedroom is pretty small, the space is just allocated really well with most of it going to the living room then squeezing in two small bedrooms. We don't even have a real closet in our master, it's just a built-in wardrobe the previous owners left. So the baby is literally getting our only 'real' closets.</p> <p>But yeah, I mean we have to get creative with storage, completely de-clutter and be really picky about what comes into our home. There is baby gear out there that will work really well you just have to keep looking and be picky. The key is to only pick things that fold and can be jammed into a small spot in a closet or under a bed when not in use. We did this with our travel crib, exersaucer, baby gate, babyjorn babysitter balance chair, etc. Our stroller will live in our small entryway and we made an exception with the swing since we heard so many good things about it. Someone made kind of a snide comment about us registering for such an expensive high chair instead of just getting one of those booster seats, but a) we don't have 'real' dining chairs that a booster seat would safely snap onto and b) I'm sorry, but it has to look nice since it will be permanently out in our living/dining room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935636 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:38:50 +0000 mrsjazz 935636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: I was researching this because we were possibly going to downsize to a 1br but we got lucky and found a 1.5 bedroom so our little lady has her own room (even though she never sleeps in it).</p> <p>I'm just going to post all the links I saved for ideas. Please forgive me, it's a lot:</p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/smaller-cooler-2009-names-titl-35-85565" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/smaller-cooler-2009-names-titl-35-85565</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/smaller-cooler-2009-names-titl-16-84196" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/smaller-cooler-2009-names-titl-16-84196</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-ikea-hacked-dining-room-nu-95429" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-ikea-hacked-dining-room-nu-95429</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-small-space-nursery-triumph-in-manhattan-my-room-174419" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-small-space-nursery-triumph-in-manhattan-my-room-174419</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/room-inspiration-sharing-room-with-baby-189351" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/room-inspiration-sharing-room-with-baby-189351</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/raising-a-baby-in-less-than-30-146233" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/raising-a-baby-in-less-than-30-146233</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-room-of-ones-own-even-its-only-six-square-feetbaby-mine-169024" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-room-of-ones-own-even-its-only-six-square-feetbaby-mine-169024</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mom-dad-and-baby-live-happily-101462" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/mom-dad-and-baby-live-happily-101462</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/creating-nurseries-out-of-closets-rental-solutions-186936" rel="nofollow">http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/creating-nurseries-out-of-closets-rental-solutions-186936</a></p> <p>ETA: Obviously I love Apartment Therapy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935621 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:35:11 +0000 MaisyMay 935621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: I could have written this! DH, LO and I live in an apartment that is less than 700 sq ft, counting the balcony. And we have no current plans to move for a while. LO is in our room.<br /> Here's what we've done:<br /> ~ Mini-crib - They are about 2/3 the size of a regular crib and are great. Ours converts to a twin bed, not a toddler bed first, but a twin will be fine when she's ready.<br /> ~ Closet divider - We both got rid of some clothes and now whatever size LO is in that needs to hang (dresses, etc) get hung in the closet between our clothes.<br /> ~ Changing table/dresser - We bought a dresser for her that resembles ours. Her changing pad is on top. This way, all of her currently fitting clothes and supplies are in one place.<br /> ~ Elevate the couch/loveseat - We found some of those things that you can use to elevate beds and elevated the couch and loveseat. We can store quite a bit under them, and they are easier to get off of now.<br /> ~ One big toy in the living room - Now that she has outgrown her swing, we have a jumperoo there for her.<br /> ~ Rock'n'plays are great - She slept in it for the first 6 weeks, and we still use it when we want her out on the balcony/in the kitchen/sleeping at the grandparents'.<br /> ~ Half high chair - It fits on top of the chairs we have now, is portable, and turns into a booster when we are done.<br /> ~ Pretty boxes - We store the clothes that won't fit for a bit, stuff she's outgrown, toys she's not ready for, etc in pretty boxes in a corner of the living room.<br /> ~ No bath tub - I climb in the tub and have her play on my legs. She likes having DH or I in the tub with her, we feel she's safer, and no big baby tub to work around.<br /> ~ Pretty bin for her toys - We try to keep about 1 smallish box of toys out for her at a time in the livingroom. They, typically, live in a pretty bin from Marshall's, in front of the tv.</p> <p>Here's a pic of our bedroom set-up. We put fabric on the walls in the corner to give her "her space." You can see the foot of our bed and the corner of her changing table. DH and I have matching dressers that serve as our nightstands, to save space. </p> [attach=407/13/mq1i6q.600x450.Amelia--169.JPG] [attach=407/13/mq1i6s.600x450.Amelia--170.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935595 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:25:01 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha all you NYC Bee's with 2 bedroom apartments, I envy you all!!! We JUST moved to our place in March so I really don't have it in me to move again for a little while..I guess we will see how it works out after the baby arrives.</p> <p>@CMBKNYC Thank you for the blog suggestions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935585 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:21:01 +0000 cmbknyc 935585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: I also live in NYC but we recently moved to a 2 bedroom so we're pretty fortunate! However, we used to live in a studio and fantasized how we would fit a baby in there :happy: I have seen two blogs where they converted a closet into a nursery - check out hitherandthither.net and natthefatrat.com they were very cute! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935555 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:10:50 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U good point! The changing caddy's are cute. Reminds me of bathroom caddy's back in college/roomie days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935551 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:09:42 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Birdofafeather Love to hear about the nursery/closet/office! My office is in the back of our kitchen and I used a shelving divider from Ikea to section off my space. </p> <p>What is a cosleeper? Is that the same as a pack and play? Sorry I am new to all of this and terms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935548 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:09:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 935548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BronxvilleBump: I think the biggest thing to consider about not having a changing table is still having a dedicated place to store changing supplies. They do making "changing caddys" like this: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/trend-lab-dr-seuss-the-lorax-storage-caddy/-/A-14537739#prodSlot=medium_2_10&#038;term=baby+basket" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/p/trend-lab-dr-seuss-the-lorax-storage-caddy/-/A-14537739#prodSlot=medium_2_10&#038;term=baby+basket</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935546 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:08:34 +0000 jillybean218 935546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonLong: That is so cool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935541 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:06:51 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonLong ok now you have just been the icing on the cake, the link to the article of babies in cardboard boxes is GREAT! I'm also glad to know that my mother was not the only one who put her baby in a dresser drawer! ;)</p> <p>It's refreshing hearing all your stories and realizing you don't always need all these "baby things". </p> <p>I'm still hoping to see some photos of Bee's who have turned their closet into a nursery. Something I might consider... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935538 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:05:45 +0000 birdofafeather 935538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we live in a small 2-bed bungalow with the nursery doubling as my office/closet. :) we used a cosleeper for 5.5 months, so she never slept in her crib! we just researched the heck out of stuff and tried to find the best item for each use and have things that were multifunctional. we've made it work and while it can be tight sometimes, i think we've done well! we also cut out the rest of our extras and don't bring random things into the house. we're actually due for another cleaning out because it's been before the baby was born (6 months) that we did it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babies-in-small-spaces-amp-apartments-help#post-935530 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:03:21 +0000 BronxvilleBump 935530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U Thank you! Omg, I am so happy you included that LINK that is pretty awesome haha. It's nice to see things like this...makes me a little less stressed about the space situation. </p>