Organizing baby clothes can seem like a daunting task, but with some effort and creativity, it can be done in a stylish way. Here are 17 tips for organizing baby clothes to make your life easier while keeping things looking great.
Utilize Drawers and Shelving
Drawers and shelving are your best friends when it comes to organizing baby clothes. Here are some ideas:
Use Dividers in Drawers
Use drawer dividers to separate types of clothing like onesies, pants, socks, etc. This keeps things neat and makes items easy to find. Look for dividers designed specially for baby drawers.
Designate Drawers by Size
Devote different drawers to different clothing sizes. Have one for newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc. As your baby grows, transition the clothes to the appropriate drawer.
Install Drawer Organizers
Install removable fabric drawer organizers to further divide drawer space. These come in multiple configurations to suit your needs.
Utilize Vertical Space
Use the vertical space above dressers for open shelving. Fold and store extra clothes by size/type on the shelves for a visible storage solution.
Hang Onesies and Pants
Hang onesies, pants, and other small items on child-sized hangers to save drawer space. Use hanging shelves designed for nurseries to hang clothes.
Use Bins and Baskets creatively
Baskets and bins are stylish storage solutions for baby clothes. Consider these ideas:
Colorful Canvas Bins
Use colorful canvas bins to hold categories of clothes. Label them “pajamas,” “socks,” “hats,” etc. for easy organization.
Woven Baskets for Folded Items
Store folded onesies, shirts, and pants in labeled woven baskets on shelves. The neutral texture will complement your nursery.
Small Bins for Socks and Hats
Use small bins for organizing tiny items like socks, hats, and mittens that can easily get lost in larger bins.
Larger Baskets for Blankets
Bigger hamper-style baskets are perfect for holding blankets, burp cloths, and other larger but soft baby items.
Creatively Use Furniture You Already Own
The key to a stylish nursery is working with furniture you may already own. Get creative with these ideas:
Repurpose Bookshelves
Use the cubbies in a bookshelf to store different types of clothing. Alternatively, fold clothes directly on the shelves.
Coordinating Storage Ottomans
Repurpose a storage ottoman to hold pajamas, socks, hats, and other items. Use one that matches your nursery decor.
Vintage Suitcases for Special Outfits
Use vintage-inspired suitcases and trunks to store special occasion clothes or keep clothes organized for travel.
Under-Crib Storage
Slide fabric bins and baskets under the crib to hold extra clothes and accessories out of sight.
Think Outside the Dresser
Dressers aren’t your only option. Consider these other functional and fashionable storage ideas:
Hanging Bar in the Closet
Install a low hanging bar in the closet for hanging larger baby clothes. This clears dresser space and keeps clothes wrinkle-free.
Freestanding Clothing Racks
Use a freestanding clothing rack with hanging bars and shelves to store various clothing. Place it anywhere in the nursery.
Armoires and Wardrobes
Use an armoire or wardrobe to hang baby clothing while storing other items in the drawers. Look for vintage-style options.
Wall-Mounted Rods
Install wall-mounted rods or rails for hanging baby clothes. Place at an accessible height and use child-friendly hangers.
Organize by Age and Size
Keeping clothes organized by your baby’s age and size will make dressing easy. Try these tips:
Boxes Labeled with Ages
Pack away clothes your baby has outgrown into bins or storage boxes clearly labeled with age range like 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc.
Shelve Larger Sizes Up High
Place bins or baskets holding larger sizes on upper shelves of closets or armoires so smaller clothes in current rotation are accessible.
Lower Hanging Bar Heights
As your baby grows, adjust the height of hanging bars holding clothes to be accessible. Raise the bar as they get bigger.
Transition Wardrobe Seasonally
When transitioning between seasons, pack away out-of-season clothes to make room for the new season’s wardrobe.
Use Creative Accessories
Fun accessories make your storage solutions as stylish as they are functional. Consider these nursery-chic options:
Pretty Storage Baskets
Woven baskets in soft neutrals or vibrant colors make clothes storage fashionable.
Patterned Fabric Bins
Use fabric bins in cute patterns like polka dots, florals, or animal prints to brighten up your clothes storage.
Vintage-Style Hangers
Wooden or padded kid-friendly hangers with vintage flair add a unique touch in your nursery closet.
Nursery Art and Wall Decals
Decorate storage furniture with related wall art and decals, like a tree decal on a dresser top.
Make it Portable
Having portable storage makes organizing clothes for travel or moving rooms easy. Try these options:
Wheeled Cart or Trolley
Use a rolling clothes rack or garment trolley to transport baby clothes around the nursery or for trips.
Hanging Wet/Dry Bag
A water-resistant hanging wet/dry bag stores baby clothes compactly. Hang it in the nursery or take it on the go.
Foldable Fabric Cubes
Lightweight foldable fabric cubes hold baby items for transport and can fold away for storage when not needed.
Diaper/Travel Bag for Essentials
Keep an organized diaper/travel bag stocked with extra onesies, socks, pants, and other baby necessities.
Label Everything
Labels ensure everything stays organized. Consider these labeling ideas:
Printed Canvas Tags
Order sets of printable personalized canvas tags to adhere to bins, shelves, drawers etc.
Chalkboard Labels
Track baby’s growth with cute chalkboard drawer labels you can wipe clean and rewrite as sizes change.
Nursery Wall Decals
Use removable wall decals and stickers to label bins, baskets or shelves right on your nursery walls.
Drawer/Shelf Liner Paper
Adhere drawer/shelf liner paper printed with categories or sizes to neatly label storage spaces.
Get on Baby’s Level
Organize clothes in places you can easily access while changing baby. Try these tips:
Low Shelving and Baskets
Place storage baskets, bins, or shelving at low heights for easy access while on the floor with baby.
Changing Table Storage
Incorporate drawers and shelves for clothes right into the changing table to keep necessities at your fingertips.
Within Reach in the Crib
Hang a small storage caddy or pocket organizer on the outside of the crib to hold extra onesies and socks for night changes.
Near the Rocking Chair
Have a basket or shelf unit near the rocking chair stocked with the essentials for those late-night changings and feedings.
Sort Clothes by Use
Group baby clothes according to when or how they will be worn to find items quickly. Consider sorting by:
Everyday, Play, Going-Out
Have separate groupings for comfy everyday clothes, play clothes that can get messy, and going-out clothes.
Sleepwear and Swaddle Wraps
Keep pajamas, sleep sacks, and swaddle wraps together in one area for easy overnight access.
Socks and Hats
Designate a spot just for pairing socks and organizing hats, mittens, shoes, and other accessories.
Special Outfits
Set aside space for storing special outfits like holiday clothes, family photo outfits, and birthday attire.
Cloth Diapers and Bibs
If using cloth diapers, have an organized spot for clean diapers and keep bibs there for easy access at changes.
Create a Rotation
Rotate baby’s wardrobe seasonally and as they grow to keep just the right amount accessible:
Store Off-Season Items
Pack away clothes that aren’t in season in under-bed containers or closet storage to make room for current needs.
Donate Old Clothes
Once your baby has outgrown a size, donate old clothes that are still in good condition to make space for bigger sizes.
Put Away Non-Essentials
Only keep everyday essentials handy in the dresser and put less used items like formal clothes into garage or other storage.
Accessorize Outfits Ahead
Pull out accessories like socks, hats, headbands, and bibs that coordinate with planned outfits and store together.
Make Laundry Part of Your System
Integrate laundry into your organization system for an end-to-end workflow:
Use a Sorting Hamper
Use a compartment sorter hamper to separate lights, darks, and stains for more efficient laundry.
Folding Station
Have a designated folding table or station where you can neatly fold clean clothes before putting away.
Assign Laundry Baskets
Have separate hampers or laundry baskets for dirty clothes vs. clean folded clothes waiting to be put away.
Store Detergent and Supplies
Keep laundry essentials like detergent, stain remover, and fabric cleaner in a handy laundry station or closet.
Conclusion
Organizing a baby’s wardrobe may seem challenging at first, but implementing even a few of these tips can make a big difference in keeping clothes neat, stylish, and easy to access. Focus first onfrequently used items like onesies and pajamas. As your baby grows, rotate clothes into and out of storage and launder regularly. With a little creativity and effort, you can maintain organization as your baby reaches those exciting milestones!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Organizing Baby Clothes:
Q: How should I organize baby clothes in drawers?
A: Use drawer dividers to separate types of clothing and designate different drawers for sizes. You can also use fabric organizers and fold clothes directly into the drawers.
Q: What are some good clothing storage options besides dressers?
A: Clothing racks, armoires, ottomans, under-crib storage, wall rods, shelves, and hanging bags are great alternatives to dressers for baby clothes.
Q: How do I keep clothes organized as my baby grows?
A: Sort clothes by size and age into bins, boxes, or shelving units. Transition them to larger storage spaces as your baby reaches bigger sizes. Donate old clothes to make room for larger sizes.
Q: Where should I store clothes for easy access when changing baby?
A: Place storage like baskets, caddies, and shelves near the changing table, crib, rocking chair, or any spot where you frequently change your baby.
Q: How can I incorporate laundry into my clothes organization system?
A: Use compartment hampers to sort laundry, have designated baskets for dirty and clean clothes, create a laundry folding station, and keep supplies in a handy laundry area.