Guest Picks: 20 Ways to Store Baby Items and Reclaim Your Space
Having a baby means having lots and lots of baby items. From strollers and swings to toys and diapers, all of these things take up space. Reclaim your space by finding storage solutions that are innovative and smart. While reading this, you'll be thinking, "I need one of these now!" more than once. — Maria from Bicultural Mama
Photos & Products
StrollAway Over-the-Door Stroller Storage Hanger, White - $39.99
Strollers are bulky and take up a lot of space whether you live in an apartment or a house. The Metrotots StrollAway stroller hanger solves this problem by getting strollers off the floor. It's made of heavy duty steel, folds flush to the wall when not in use and includes a spacer to adjust to any door width. New York City moms who live in apartments swear by this product!
Stuffed Animal Storage Pillow
Babies inevitably receive tons of stuffed animals as gifts. What to do with all those furry creatures? Store them in a pillow bag and voilà! Now your child has a fun pillow to play with, and you're not stepping on bunny and puppy. This one has a see-through mesh window so that kids can still see their plush friends.
The First Years Milk Storage Organizer - $18.39
Breast milk storage trays provide storage solutions for more than just breast milk. Stay with me here for a minute. When you're breastfeeding and have extra milk, you don't want to waste it, so you freeze it. But the little milk storage bags flop over on freezer shelves and are hard to keep organized. This organizer holds 20 bags and works with all brands of milk storage bags. Here's a tip: When your baby outgrows breast milk, don't throw these trays away. Use them to hold baby food pouches, and then when the kids are bigger, use them to store toddler food pouches. You'll get your money's worth!
Oversize Garage Storage Shelving - $349
For those bulky items like bouncy seats or exersaucers, you need deep shelves if you want to reclaim your floor space. These oversize chrome shelves are designed for garage storage, but who says you can't use them elsewhere? They're super strong, feature extra deep storage shelving and come with semi-clear polypropylene liners for keeping smaller objects from falling through. Parents even have the option of adding caster wheels to make relocation easy. After baby grows up and parents rid of the baby gear, these shelves will still be useful.
Munchkin Deluxe Baby Food Organizer - $8.49
Baby food containers take up a lot of space in your pantry. This revolving storage unit holds 24 baby food containers and features adjustable shelves to allow for easy access and storage of all jar sizes. There's even a utensil holder in the top center of the unit. When your child outgrows the baby food stage, use this as a spice rack.
Fabric Sailboat Changing Table Storage - $39
Can you believe these cute boats from Pottery Barn Kids are actually storage units? They act as decor and provide functionality at the same time. Use them to hold baby's diapers and other toiletries. Once baby grows a bit older, keep them around to store knickknacks and stuffed animals — or just give them to your kid to use as toys.
Packin' Smart by Innobaby 5-tier Storage - $19.99
When on the go, parents have to pack a ton of stuff in little containers for baby "just in case." Loose storage container bins and lids get lost and make for one messy kitchen cabinet. Packin' Smart offers interlocking units that hold everything from formula to snacks to pacifiers. These are also great for when kids get older and demand a variety of snack choices — fill each container with a different item, and don't forget to include one for you too!
Delta Deluxe 100-Piece Nursery Closet Storage Set - $59.99
Why spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a customized closet storage system when your child's needs constantly change? Try a more affordable option, such as this Delta Deluxe 100-piece closet storage set. It includes everything from hangers to labels to bins to dividers.
Storage View PEVA Shower Curtain - $19.99
Between kids' and parents' toiletries, the bathtub area can often look like a mess. Get it all off the ground and out of the tub with this shower curtain that features loops and pockets for holding towels, bath products and kid's toys. It also provides easy access to things while taking a shower or bath.
Brandee Danielle Froggy Toy Bag - $21.99
Utilize hanging space on the sides of cribs, bookshelves or walls with this Brandee Danielle Froggy toy bag. Even though it's meant for toys, this versatile product can be used for socks, knickknacks or anything else you want to keep up and out of the way. It's super cute too!
Nursery Organizer - $22.95
The DexBaby Baby Product organizer has straps to conveniently hang it anywhere from a changing table to the side of a crib. It provides parents with easy access to daily use items and has a lot of shelves and pockets for storage space.
Cameron Corner Bookcase - $369
Corners are often poorly used spaces, but now there's a solution. Use a corner shelf to hold toys, books and other baby gear. This one can even grow with your child, as it has a timeless look that won't go out of style. As a bonus, it's also tip resistant for added safety.
MonsterRax Overhead Storage Rack - $219.95
When baby has outgrown some of the bulkier items (swings, exersaucers, high chairs, etc.), but you don't want to get rid of them in case you have baby #2 (or 3 or 4 or 5), then you need to find a place to store them. Make the space high on the wall in the garage useful with hanging shelving. The MonsterRax overhead storage racks are made from industrial-strength 14-gauge steel and have a 400-pound capacity. Make sure to wrap the baby gear in plastic bags before storing in the garage, though. Then one day when you do get rid of all the baby stuff, you'll have all kinds of storage space in the garage for your own things.
Organizer & Cooler Car Storage Organizer - $32.99
Traveling with baby means hauling a lot of baby items, which makes riding in a small car that much more difficult. This organizer and cooler combo is a great option that parents can use even after baby grows up. During the younger years, use it to hold bottles, toys and food. In the later years, use it to store drinks for kids' sports games or for daddy and mommy's own use.
Storytime Child Chest Armoires - $2,775
The Storytime chest is a bit of a splurge, but this gorgeous chiffarobe is hand-painted in classic colors with a cream finish. It has six drawers with oversize decorative knobs, two removable shelves and a hanging rod behind the door.
Tuscan Iron Hand-forged Metal Planters/Shelves
Am I suggesting you store fruit in your baby's room? No, I'm suggesting you think out of the box! For a cool and unique look, use wall-mounted planters to store baby items. Buy them in different sizes to create a tapered effect (like the one pictured), or buy a bunch of the same size and get creative with how to fill the space on your walls.
InterMetro Toy Storage - $132.91
Good ol' basic shelving and clear plastic storage bins always work for organizing items. The Container Store's InterMetro storage unit offers spacious shelves that parents can adjust.
Delta Under-crib, Under-bed Storage, Beige Polka Dot - $10
The space under the crib is often underutilized. The solution? Buy these inexpensive under-crib storage bins from Walmart for linens, towels, blankets, burp cloths and more. When baby gets older and transfers to a bed, use these for under-bed storage. When not in use, they fold flat to take up minimal space.
Wooden Puzzle Storage Case
Lost puzzle pieces are the worst. Your child is upset because they can't complete the puzzle, and you're annoyed because now you have to search for a small piece in a mountain of toys. Keep all puzzles stored in one place with this handsome wood case. It has 12 wire racks that store puzzles horizontally.
Hushamok Organic Hammock, Natural - $195
The Hushamok organic hammock is meant for a baby. That's great, but guess what: When baby gets too big, who says you can't use it to store other things? This looks like the perfect storage space for stuffed animals, linens and more. It's stylish and unique.