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How to Organize Nursery Dresser for a New Baby
As a new parent, trying to organize your baby’s nursery can seem overwhelming. With so many small clothes, baby essentials, and other things to keep track of, it’s important to have a system in place to keep everything organized and easy to access.
One key piece of furniture in any baby’s room is the dresser, and keeping it organized can make a big difference in maintaining a functional and clutter-free nursery. This is especially true if your nursery is a small space or small room in your home.
Whether you’re a first time parent or a seasoned pro, these ideas and easy tips will help you create a functional and stylish space for your new little one.
Here are some ideas and tips for organizing your baby’s dresser.
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Nursery Drawer Organization Ideas
One of the most effective ways to organize a nursery dresser is to divide the drawers into categories and assign each drawer a specific category of baby things.
Nursery dresser drawers can be used to organize all kinds of baby items, and we all know how much stuff babies have!
An easy way to make sure everything has a place is to group baby items by type.
For example you might have a drawer for clothes, the next drawer for diapers and wipes, and the last drawer for other accessories. This will make it easy to find what you need when you’re in a rush.
1. Organize Baby Clothes in Categories by Size and Type
When it comes to organizing your baby’s clothes, the top drawer or second drawer of the dresser are often the most convenient places to store them. But with so many different types of clothes to store, it can be challenging to keep everything organized.
One of the simplest ways to keep all of the baby clothes organized is to sort them by type and size. This is the most helpful type of organization system, especially for small drawers.
For example, you might want to keep all of the onesies together in one drawer or section, and then all of the pajamas in another.
Try to group together sizes in a logical manner. For example, you might want to keep all of the newborn clothes in one section, and all of the 0-3 months clothes in another. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for when you’re in a hurry.
You can also leave room in other drawers for the next size up which is 3-6 months clothes that your baby will grow into. I also find that additional storage containers for the nursery closet, on the back of the closet door, or under the crib are great ways to store the next size of baby clothes for use later.
2. Use the Top Drawer to Create a Space for Diaper Changes
Having a dedicated space for diaper changes is an important part of preparing for a new baby. Not only will it make changing your little one’s diaper easier and more efficient, but it can also help you stay organized in your nursery.
The top drawer of your dresser is the most convenient place to store diapering supplies. It’s so nice to have everything within arm’s reach and have easy access to supplies when you are trying to change your baby’s diaper.
If you have multiple top drawers, the top right drawer can be the easiest to use for diapering gear. I tend to use the top left drawer, so choose what works best for you.
It’s important to keep all of the supplies you’ll need for diaper changes in the right place. This includes diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and a diaper cream paddle (one of my favorite diaper changing tools).
Related: 25 Best Nursery Dressers and Changing Tables
3. Group Baby Health, Grooming, and Small Items in a Drawer
As a new parent, you’ll quickly discover that babies come with a lot of tiny items that you’ll need to keep track of. From nail clippers and thermometers to creams and ointments, it can be overwhelming to keep everything organized.
One way to stay on top of these small items is to group them together in a designated drawer storage space.
Gather all of your baby’s health and grooming items and decide which ones will be the most helpful to have easy access to in your dresser drawer. This might include things like nail clippers, a thermometer, a nasal aspirator, and any medications or creams.
You’ll also want to include any other small items that you might need on a regular basis, such as burp cloths, pacifiers, hair brushes, combs, and lotions.
By grouping baby health, grooming, and small items together in a designated drawer, you can keep everything organized and within easy reach. This will make it so much easier to take care of your little one’s needs and help you feel more prepared as a new mom.
4. Store Extra Blankets, Bath Towels, and Linens in a Bottom Drawer
Babies tend to go through a lot of blankets, towels, and linens in general. So it’s a good idea to have lots of extras on hand to ensure you always have clean items to grab when needed.
Store extra blankets, bath towels, wash cloths, and linens in a bottom drawer of your nursery dresser. In my daughter’s nursery, I used the third drawer on the left for larger items like towels and linens.
Try to group items together by type or size. For example, try to keep all bigger items (like large blankets) together, large towels together, and smaller wash cloths together. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for when you need it.
This is also a great space to store extra burp cloths and swaddles. I know I was always looking for burp clothes when my baby was a newborn, so the more you have the better.
Finally, if you have some additional space in a bottom dresser drawer, you can also store extra crib sheets. It’s a good idea to have extra sheets and waterproof crib mattress pads on hand in case your baby has an accident. Then you can easily swap the sheets and pad out and have everything within easy reach.
5. Create Overflow Drawers for Extra Baby Things
Another idea for organizing a baby dresser is to use some of the drawers as overflow or back stock. These types of drawers can be used to store any extra items you might have or back stock of additional baby supplies. You might also like to store seasonal items in this space.
Take an inventory of all the extra items you have. This might include extra diapers, extra wipes, diaper pail liners, wet bags, extra bath supplies or health and grooming items.
Once you’ve gathered all of these items, you can start organizing them into overflow drawers. I like to use the middle or bottom dresser drawers for overflow items and back stock of supplies.
By creating overflow and backstock drawers for extra baby things, you can keep your nursery organized and clutter-free. This will also make it easier to find what you need and replenish your supplies when needed.
Nursery Dresser Organization Tips
Now that you have some ideas for what to organize in your nursery dresser, it’s time to talk about how to organize everything.
These tips will help you make the most of the space that you have and keep everything within arm’s reach when you are taking care of your baby.
6. Use Removable Drawer Dividers to Separate Clothing Sizes and Keep Clothing In Place
One of my best tips for organizing a baby nursery dresser is to use removable drawer dividers.
Dressers are big pieces of furniture which means that they will also have big drawers. A drawer dresser can easily become disorganized if you just throw a bunch of baby items inside.
The best way to keep things organized is to use dividers within each drawer. You can find dividers specifically designed to dresser drawers and they even adjust to accommodate different drawer depths.
These dividers can be easily removed or repositioned as needed. This is especially important as your baby grows because the sizes of the clothes grow as well. You’ll need flexible dividers that can adjust as the size of the items in your drawers changes.
You can also use something simple like cardboard to make DIY dresser drawer dividers.
Drawer dividers help to separate clothing by type and size. They can also section off drawers so that they can be used as multi-purpose storage spaces.
For example, the top drawer of one of the dressers in my daughter’s nursery is both a diaper supply drawer and a baby health and grooming supplies drawer. I used a removable drawer divider to separate the two sections and create a functional, multi-purpose space.
By using removable drawer dividers, you can make it easier to stay organized and find what you need when you need it. This can be especially helpful when you’re in the midst of a diaper change or getting your little one dressed in the morning
7. Use the File Folding Method When Storing Baby Clothes To See All the Clothes at a Glance
One of the challenges of organizing a nursery dresser is finding a way to store all of those tiny clothes in a way that is both efficient and easy to see.
The best solution is to use the file folding method when storing baby clothes. This method allows you to fold baby clothes into the perfect size in order for them to stack together in the drawer.
By filing the clothes in the drawer you can see all of the clothes at a glance, making it easier to find what you need when you’re in a hurry.
The file folding method is more commonly known as the KonMari Method. It was popularized by Marie Kondo in her book The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up.
Here’s how to fold a onesie the KonMari way:
- Lay the onesie flat with the front side facing down.
- Fold the sleeves in towards the center of the onesie.
- Fold the onesie in half vertically, bringing the bottom up to meet the top.
- Fold the onesie in half horizontally, bringing the left side over to meet the right side.
This folding method should result in a compact, neat rectangle that is easy to store in a drawer.
File the clothes neatly in the drawer together. This creates a compact, vertical stack of baby clothes that is easy to see and access. And it prevents you from having to rummage through the entire drawer of clothes to find what you need.
You can use the file folding method for all types of baby clothes, including pajamas, pants, and dresses. Just be sure to adjust the size of the folds to fit the specific items you’re folding.
It may seem like a small detail, but folding clothes neatly can make a big difference when it comes to organizing your dresser. By using the space efficiently, you can fit more clothes in each drawer and keep everything looking neat and tidy.
8. Use Drawer Organizers to Corral Similar Items
To keep small baby items organized in a dresser, try using a baby drawer organizer. This will prevent items from getting lost in a larger dresser drawer and make things easier to find when you need them.
Use a different drawer organizer for each type or category of item you have. For example, you might have a specific organizer for things like baby socks, baby shoes, health and grooming items, pacifiers, teethers and more.
There are many different types of drawer organizers available, including ones made of fabric, plastic, or even cardboard. Choose the type that best fits your needs.
I’ve found that rigid, plastic organizers or small plastic bins can be especially helpful in drawers for organizing small baby items like health and grooming things. Fabric organizers can be helpful for baby items that are more flexible like socks, clothes, burp cloths, and bibs.
Drawer organizers also come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. This can help you to accommodate items of different sizes and create a space for everything in your dresser drawers.
From small containers to larger storage bins, choose a drawer organizer that is the best size for your space and the items you want to organize.
9. Display Pacifiers in an Easy to Access Container on Top of Dresser
If you’ve run out of space inside your dresser, you can utilize organizing containers on the top of the dresser for smaller items like pacifiers and pacifier clips.
I love to use small acrylic containers to display pacifiers on top of a dresser in a baby nursery. This is a convenient way to create a dedicated spot for the baby’s pacifiers that’s easy to access when needed. It’s also a great way to keep baby stuff organized and contained.
Choose a container that’s easy to open and close. This will make it easy to quickly grab a pacifier when you need it for your baby.
10. Use the Top of Dresser as a Changing Station
Not only do nursery dressers have space inside the drawers, but the top can also be used as a place to organize baby supplies. Some baby dressers are designed to be a changing table. But you can also turn the top of any dresser into a dedicated diaper changing space.
I like to utilize the top of a dresser to create a baby changing station.
Choose a changing pad for the top of the dresser. Make sure it is the same size or slightly smaller so that it fits securely on the flat surface. Don’t forget to keep some changing pad covers on hand too if you have a fabric changing pad.
Next, place all necessary diaper changing essentials within easy reach. It can be helpful to have a diaper caddy on the top of the dresser if you have space. Include items such as diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and a diaper cream paddle inside the caddy for easy access.
If you don’t have enough space for a full caddy, you can include a small organizing container with diaper cream, a diaper cream paddle on the top of the dresser. It’s also helpful to have an easy access wipes container ready on top of the dresser. This will make diaper changes go so much smoother.
If you’ve already created a dedicated drawer for diaper supplies inside the dresser, you can use that together with your changing station on the top to make diaper changes a breeze.
Related: 25 Best Nursery Dressers and Changing Tables
11. Use the Space Next to your Dresser for Extra Gear
The space next to your dresser can often be overlooked. But it can be a great place to add additional storage, organization, and functionality to your nursery.
Consider keeping a diaper pail next to your dresser and changing station. Diaper pails are so helpful because they are used to store soiled diapers until they can be disposed of. Most diaper pails have a slim design and will fit perfectly next to a dresser.
Place the diaper pail within easy reach of the changing area. This will make it easy to dispose of dirty diapers without having to walk too far.
Another helpful item to have near a nursery dresser is a small laundry hamper. Look for a hamper that is slim enough to fit next to a dresser but also large enough to hold a good amount of clothes.
Having the laundry hamper within easy reach of the changing area makes you more likely to keep dirty clothes off of the top of the dresser or the floor. This can help keep your nursery more organized and tidy.
If you have wall space next to your dresser, consider adding wall hooks for additional storage. Wall hooks can be a useful addition to a nursery because they allow for vertical storage solutions.
I like to use wall hooks to hang bath towels and clothes. By having a wall hook close to the dresser, I can easily hang and retrieve items as needed.
I like to be able to hang up a bath towel during changing time after the baby’s bath. I will also use the wall hook to hang up the clothes I want the baby to wear the next day. Then when it’s time to change outfits, the clothing is hanging within easy reach.
Another helpful thing to have in your nursery is a place for your child’s sippy cup. Especially as they get older and like to have either a bottle or cup near them.
One place to keep this is on the dresser or side of the dresser. Designate a specific location for the cup where you and your child can always find it.
We keep my daughters water cup in her bed now that it’s converted into a toddler bed. To make sure that it doesn’t get lost in the bedding, we have a cup holder that we installed on her bed frame.
This cup holder can be mounted on a crib bed frame or even on the side of a dresser or nightstand next to the bed. It’s the perfect home for your child’s cup at night or during nap time.
Related: 15+ Best Nursery Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore
12. Label Everything in your Nursery Drawers
A helpful way to keep your baby’s items inside the dresser organized and easy to find is to label everything.
Labeling the contents of each drawer and organizer will make it easier to find what you need and keep everything in its proper place.
There are many different options for creating labels inside your dresser drawers. These include buying a fancy label maker, making printed labels on your computer, or even creating easy handwritten labels. Choose the option that best fits your needs and budget.
Clearly label the contents of each drawer or section, such as “onesies”, “diapers”, or “health supplies.” This will make it easy to see at a glance what is in each drawer or section and to quickly find what you are looking for.
By creating a label for each space you can also easily see where things belong when you need to put things back in the drawers.
Final Thoughts On The Best Baby Dresser Organization Tips
Organizing a nursery dresser can be a daunting task, especially for new parents. By implementing some of these ideas and tips, you can easily create a functional nursery dresser and an organized nursery with all of the baby essentials in order.
With everything in its proper place, you’ll be able to focus on the important tasks of caring for your new arrival, rather than worrying about the clutter in your nursery.
I hope that these ideas help make your life as a new mom with your first baby just a little bit easier.
If you need more help planning your nursery, or want to see other nursery organization ideas, be sure to check out some of my other useful posts.
More Nursery Ideas:
- 25 Best Nursery Dressers and Changing Tables
- 30+ Best Nursery Cribs in 2023
- Neutral Feminine Baby Girl Nursery Reveal
- 15+ Best Nursery Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore
- Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist Printable
- Shop Our Nursery
The Best Nursery Organization Tips
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Christene Holder
My goal is for you and your family to absolutely LOVE the home you live in. I’ll show you how to create a home that looks good, feels good, and functions well!
As a mom, wife, and home blogger, home decor is my passion! I have seen firsthand how my home can impact my family. How our home feels, looks and functions is a critical part of our family’s wellbeing!
