How to Organize a Nursery Using Task-Centered Stations

Creating a functional nursery space is all about anticipating your needs. That said, knowing what those needs are – not to mention just where and when they’ll pop up – can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the mommy gig.

Wondering how to organize your nursery? Try thinking about the things you’ll need to do on a daily basis. Once you’ve identified these key activities, divide your nursery into several task-related stations. Taking a task-centered approach makes it easier to organize your space, ensuring that everything you need to accomplish the job at hand stays right at your fingertips.



Not sure where to begin? These five essential nursery stations are a great place to start!

1. A Nursing Station:

Nursing may seem like the most natural thing in the world, but until you get the hang of it, feeding your baby can be, well, awkward. Juggling nursing pads, nipple guards, and burp cloths – not to mention your hungry, little companion – is tricky enough.

Getting up mid-feeding to find the things you need is the last thing you want to worry about!

A dedicated nursing station, stocked with the necessities and a few little luxuries for mom, can make those near-constant feeding sessions much easier and more comfortable, turning a demanding task into a well-earned opportunity to put your feet up.

2. A Baby Care Station:

Most parents already know that a place to do the diaper deed is a must, but there’s more to caring for your little one than pampering those cute cheeks. A changing table is also a great place to take care of other basic baby business, like clipping nails, brushing gums and administering meds. It’s also the best place to dress your baby, so keep a clean pile of onesies and pajamas on hand.

3. A Sanitation Station:

Want to keep your nursery germ-free? Storing sanitation supplies at an arm’s reach is a great way to keep those nasty, little nursery invaders at bay. Set up a changing-table tray with hand sanitizer, paper towels and disinfectant wipes. When you’re done diapering your little one, sanitize your hands, and give everything a quick once-over with a Clorox wipe.

Cleaning up as you go not only ensures a hygienic changing station but also prevent the contamination of other surfaces, like crib rails and door knobs, which may not get cleaned quite so often. That said, be sure to keep all cleaning supplies out of your little one’s reach, and clearly mark disinfectant wipes, so they are never mistaken for baby wipes.

4. A Laundry Station:

Baby clothes may not take up much room in a hamper, but what those teeny, tiny socks and onesies lack in size, they make up for in bulk. You won’t believe how fast your little one can destroy clean clothing and bedding! (It’s basically their only hobby.) Staying on top of this impressive talent means being prepared for some very messy surprises.

First, you’ll need a supply of plastic bags. Nothing is worse than peeling off poo-soaked pajama bottoms to discover you have nowhere to put them! You’ll also want to keep a bottle of spray-on stain remover nearby. Once you’ve cleaned up baby, attack the damaged goods, and seal up the bag. Toss the entire package into a separate hamper for heavily soiled clothing, and wash contaminated items together in extremely hot water.

5. A Linen Station:

Given your little one’s special gift for making laundry, you’re going to want to stock up on bedding and necessities. When it comes to bedding items, like waterproof covers, sheets and wearable blankets/wraps, think in threes: one for the bed, one for the wash, and one for emergencies. You also need at least a dozen burp cloths.

Once you’ve rounded up the basics, choose an easily accessible drawer or shelving unit, and set up a mini linen station right in your nursery. Keeping baby’s linens close by will make those late-night diaper blowouts much easier to deal with, allowing you to grab what you need and get back to bed.