Big Solutions for a Small Nursery/Home Office

Jeff McNamaraColleen and Michael Cooney's second bedroom had always been primarily a home office and a stowaway zone for everything from golf clubs to books and files. When the couple learned they were expecting their first baby, they realized that their space was about to get even tighter. Although there was no way to keep the extra bed in the room (which measures 11 feet 9 inches by 12 feet 9 inches), the Cooneys did end up with a calm, airy space for doing business and bringing up baby.

Nursery Solutions

Unify and divide. An energetic yet soothing color enlivens and enlarges the room. The contrast between the white molding and the blue walls makes the window seem larger, too. Keeping the office on one side and the nursery on the other enables them to coexist peacefully in tight quarters. With less clutter (and no double bed crammed into a corner), each side has room to spread out a little.

Always look under the bed. No need to let the space beneath the crib go to waste. It's the perfect spot to store extra linens and baby clothes in the next size up.

Keep it airy. Leaving most of the floor bare reduces allergens and increases the feeling of spaciousness.

Keep it light. The Cooneys know that controlling the light level in the room will become an important issue. A roller shade lets daylight in and prevents the walls from closing in, but it can also keep daylight out during nap time. A linen-and-cotton roll-up shade over it softens the light and provides privacy.

Home-Office Solutions

See Organizing Your Desk and Workspace

Go horizontal and vertical. Lining the wall with adjustable shelves creates ample, accessible storage. A palette of primarily blue and white makes things seem orderly.

Recognize the beauty of double duty. Instead of wasting space and money on a changing table, buy a changing pad and put it on top of a more practical dresser, which can be used for decades -- and can hold office supplies until the child is old enough to complain. An upholstered desk chair doesn't look too corporate for the room.

Don't Miss:
Space-Saving Tips and Tricks
Maximize Your Home Office Space
Storing Kids' Clothes and Toys