How to Design and Organize a Shared Nursery

Lullaby 09/17/2014

Designing a nursery is a big project and knowing that the space has to be shared by two adorable little munchkins (either twins or siblings) may seem like an impossible endeavor – but we have a few clever ideas that should make it a bit easier. We can’t help with the challenges of staggered bedtimes or night-waking or sibling rivalry, but we can certainly help the space look beautiful and function well! Here’s how to design and organize a shared nursery.

DESIGN & DECOR

  • Pick a theme. Each child can have a distinctive space in the room, but there should be a theme that ties everything together. Here are some ideas:
    • Color theme - Keeping everything in the same color palette is one of the easiest ways to create a cohesive space. Find the hottest new colors and color palettes in the Project Nursery Shop!
    • Style theme - Vintage, modern, Art Deco, whatever you decide, keep every single element reflective of a distinct style to keep everything tied together.
    • Pattern theme - Maybe you love animal prints or you have a soft spot for chevron, again, keeping this element integrated through the room is an easy way to create a unified space. With patterns, be selective about placement - you don’t want polka dots covering every surface of a space!
    • Story theme - This type of theme could be pulled from the pages of a book (like a Dr. Seuss themed-room) or it can be something like a woodland or ocean-themed nursery. The sky’s the limit! (Speaking of which, clouds and blue skies and outer space make great themes, too!)
  • Keep it simple. A shared nursery will fill up fast with clothes and toys and whatnot, not to mention the energy of the children that occupy it. Keeping the design fairly simple will help the room feel less cluttered and more calming,
  • Be thoughtful about layout. Should one bed be closer to the door than the other? Where does a light fixture go so that it doesn’t wake up one child when you are helping the other? Where does a white noise machine go so the sound is at the same level for both children? These details will be different for each room and what your unique needs are, but working through them beforehand should make all of your lives easier once the nursery is occupied.

ORGANIZATION

For twins:

Two babies means twice as much stuff, right? Designate specific spaces where things that will be shared by both children, and that you will go through a lot of, are easily accessible. If all of the diapers, burp cloths, wipes, and receiving blankets are organized together then you have one place that you’re grabbing the things you need most often. Books and toys are best stored together, as well. This means one spot to get things, but also makes cleaning up and putting everything back that much faster!

For siblings:

Organizing a space for siblings takes a bit more diplomacy. “Create separate but equal spaces,” says Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting and founder of WhattoExpect.com. Corral smaller items like miniature cars and tiny blocks (they can be choking hazards) in baskets or bins and keep them on a higher shelf where your toddler can reach them but the baby can't. The baby’s toys can be put on lower shelves or in containers under the crib — places where he can easily grab them once he starts crawling. Special toddler-only projects (block castles or train tracks) should be built on a play table in another room so the baby doesn't accidentally knock them down.”

INSPIRATION

For twins:

shared nursery - lullaby paints

Dallas Mom’s Blog Modern Twist for Twins

shared nursery - lullaby paints

Calmly and Chaotic Small Space Nursery

For siblings:

shared nursery - lullaby paints

Handmade Charlotte Crib and Bunk

shared nursery - lullaby paints

Project Nursery “Three Kids in One Room” project

And, here’s a mix of both in one, long compilation video with oodles of ideas from Project Nursery! They say “designing for two can be a challenge, but these shared nurseries and big kids' rooms prove it can be done.”

Do you have tips for designing or organizing a shared nursery? Please share them in the comments!

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