With expert tips from Bowers in mind, we researched a range of options designed to meet the needs of both infants and parents. We considered versatility, safety, durability, and style when making our selections. Our top choice is the Munchkin Nursery Essentials Organizer, a versatile unit with three tiers of sturdy compartments. Here are the best nursery organizers for every space, budget, and need. Just bear in mind: The freestanding unit doesn’t attach to a wall. It also shouldn’t be loaded with more than 25 pounds. Though we wish the Nursery Essentials Organizer came in more colors, the minimalist, gender-neutral design will work with most decor schemes. You’ll have to assemble this product at home, but it comes with all the necessary hardware and should be a quick process. All in all, the spacious capacity and seemingly endless organization possibilities make it our top pick. Price at time of publish: $27 Bowers says dresser bins help you keep categories together. “For instance, put all the tiny socks in one cube and all the onesies in another.” The fabric-wrapped cardboard design isn’t the most sturdy, but this probably won’t be an issue when filling them with infant clothing. Plus, the drawers you place them in provide support. Ultimately, this budget-friendly set is simple yet flexible, and you can shop it in 8 different color themes and match your nursery with total ease. Price at time of publish: $22 Each boho-inspired container is handcrafted from a blend of jute, cotton, wool, and Lurex, a special yarn that provides a subtle metallic flair. They’re sold individually, and the full set is a little expensive. However, the high-quality design and endless versatility might be worth the investment. Not to mention, these containers do not require any assembly on your part, which is a major plus, and are made of entirely soft edges, making them ideal for a nursery, playroom, or even a bathroom. Price at time of publish: $59 This nursery organizer has universal steel hooks on top that promise to fit over virtually any door. Just know: While the weight capacity isn’t specified, it might not be the best choice for books or other heavy items. Still, you’ll have plenty of space to store and organize diapers, burp cloths, clothes, small toys—you name it. Price at time of publish: $28 As the name implies, this diaper caddy lights up with a touch sensor to illuminate those middle-of-the-night changes without stimulating your baby with bright overheads. It’s powered by a CR2 battery (included) that promises to last for over 1,200 hours—which, theoretically, should get you through the entirety of your child’s multi-year diapering stage. More color options would be nice, but the textured gray is undoubtedly versatile. Price at time of publish: $41 It’s pricey for a kids’ dresser, but the durable design grows with your child. To optimize this multi-use nursery solution, you can add a changing top to your order. Then—when your kiddo grows out of it—take it off and use the product as a regular dresser. You’ll have to assemble the Poppy at home and attach the included anti-tip kit. But, you can rest assured knowing its stability and engineering are verified safe by UL Solutions and ASTM International. Price at time of publish: $400 We appreciate that they arrive fully assembled, and the stackable design is super convenient. Though the bins are sold individually, and you’re not supposed to stack more than two, you can place two stacks of bins next to each other. The combined dimensions would still be only 26 inches wide by 24 inches tall by 16 inches deep. In addition, you’d save a lot of floor space by keeping your baby’s items at bay. Price at time of publish: $79 Just below is a bamboo rod—a nice touch that ensures the unit doesn’t leave you with less space to hang your child’s clothes. The organizer is made primarily of a fabric blend of cotton, linen, and polyester and reinforced with MDF (medium-density fiberboard), making it soft and sturdy. Each cubby can support 6 pounds, and the bamboo bar has a 20-pound capacity, making this hanging organizer particularly friendly to heavier items you may need to tuck away, too. It’s a great solution for clothes, shoes, blankets, and more that you may store in your nursery’s closet. Price at time of publish: $49 Bowers says floating shelves like these can help save valuable floor space in a nursery while keeping items out of reach for littles. These have a bar in front to prevent books from falling off. Still, she advises against hanging them over a crib to be extra safe. You’ll have to assemble and install these in your home, but it should be a DIY-friendly task. Price at time of publish: $57 The medium size can be placed on a shelf or directly on the floor, too. It’s perfect for stuffed animals, rattles, sensory objects, high-contrast books, and other tummy time supplies. While this bin is more for storage than organization, having a designated spot for toys will help you keep things tidy. You might even consider getting another one to use as a nursery hamper. Price at time of publish: $25 The Hudson is crafted from solid wood. There’s a cubby-style shelf and a handy drawer where you can stash books, feeding supplies, and anything else you want within reach. This side table has two built-in USB ports—allowing you to keep devices plugged in and charged while keeping power cords concealed and out of the way. Just a heads up: It calls for a two-person assembly. However, while it’s pricey for a kids’ nightstand, the neutral design is versatile enough to grow with your child and their room—no matter what theme it later takes on. Price at time of publish: $229 You’ll likely need a mix of options for storing different things, like toys, books, and diapering supplies. To organize baby clothes, professional organizer Tracy Bowers of Organize Simply suggests small fabric bins or drawer dividers, like the mDesign Fabric Drawer Organizer Bins. “Use these to keep categories together,” she says. “At a glance, you’ll also be able to tell when it’s time to do laundry.”
Material and Color
Nursery organizers come in a wide range of materials and hues. When shopping around, consider the color palette and decor theme for your baby’s room and also how you expect the room to change. If you plan on using a piece for several years, you’re wise to get a relatively neutral, versatile design—like the Munchkin Nursery Essentials Organizer that comes in white and can easily hold all types of items. Beyond aesthetics, the material will offer clues about a product’s durability and care requirements. For instance, solid wood is ideal for dressers, shelving units, and other storage furniture, as it has good stability and can be wiped clean. Many organizers are made of reinforced fabric or canvas. These textiles are typically sturdy and easy to spot-clean. Plus, they may have soft edges that are suitable for a baby rummaging through their books and toys.
Safety
Safety is a critical consideration when buying anything for a nursery. Storage furniture should have an anti-tip system that mounts to the wall to prevent it from falling forward onto children. Many designs are tested for stability and verified for structural safety by third-party organizations like UL Solutions, ASTM International, and the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA). Soft materials and rounded corners can help prevent littles from getting hurt, too. Also, checking the weight capacity of the product and avoiding going over the limit is key. In doing so, you’re helping to prevent it from breaking, falling down, tipping over, or the contents from spilling out in a harmful way. When installing a floating shelf, in particular, Bowers says to “make sure it does not hang over the crib.”
Assembly Requirements
Some nursery organizers come pre-assembled, but many call for at-home assembly. Read through the product description to see what this entails, and confirm the product comes with all the necessary hardware. Some assembly can be done within a few minutes, while others are more complex, two-person jobs. If you purchase a product from a major retailer, you might be able to add professional assembly to your order.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product tester specializing in storage solutions, home improvement, and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed professional organizer Tracy Bowers of Organize Simply for buying tips and guidance on organizing a nursery. Next, she researched the various types of organizers and considered a broad range of options from dozens of brands. The chosen products were versatile, safe, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. If you’re expecting a child, having the nursery set up at least a month in advance of the due date is ideal. Beyond organizing, this will give you plenty of time to assemble furniture and decorate the way you’d like. Shelves are a good option, too, whether floating or a freestanding unit. “On the shelf, use a cute basket or two that goes with the decor of the room,” says Bowers. But, since you’ll run out of diapering supplies, clean clothes, and fresh baby linens quicker, it might be good to have a backstock area. This could be in the nursery or nearby in a laundry room or linen closet. As a toddler mom, Theresa is personally familiar with the offerings from Munchkin, Babyletto, Delta Children, Skip Hop, and PB Kids.
