It’s due date week for baby brother! I finally feel like we’ve got all the essential finishing touches on our shared nursery. With Taylor working from home 2-3 days a week, our family needs to maintain the use of our 3rd bedroom as a home office. This means baby and toddler room sharing for Stella and Graham. In this post, I’ll share every last detail of our updated nursery. We’ll also explore practical tips and ideas to help you design a shared nursery for baby and toddler that promotes a peaceful and nurturing environment for your little ones.
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I can’t believe our little man is going to be here in just a matter of days! Bringing a new addition to the family is an exciting time, but it can also pose some logistical challenges. This is especially true when it comes to space. I know that our family isn’t alone in the struggle of baby and toddler room sharing. Many families find themselves contemplating the idea of sharing a nursery between a toddler and a newborn. With some careful planning and creativity, you can create a harmonious and functional space that caters to the needs of both children.
MINI CRIB AND MATTRESS | MINI CRIB SHEET | TODDLER BED AND MATTRESS | TODDLER BED SHEET | NAME PENNANT FLAG | LARGE OAK FRAME | RIBBED VELVET PILLOW COVER | Newborn Outfit pictured is from Angel Dear – Thank you Auntie Dayna!
Establish Zones
To optimize the shared nursery space, it’s essential to establish distinct zones for each child. Divide the room into separate areas that cater to the specific needs of a newborn and a toddler. This clear separation will help maintain organization and prevent potential conflicts between the two children.
For us, this looks like two separate cribs; we created space for a second crib by moving lighting off the floor and up to the ceiling. We removed our floor lamp, and instead installed a pendant light. Additionally, we incorporated designated items that each belong to Stella and Graham. A great example of this is our two laundry hampers in the closet, when Stella undresses for her shower at bedtime, she knows the white hamper is hers, and the black hamper is Graham’s. Keep reading to learn more about our shared storage solutions.
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GLIDER WITH OTTOMAN | AREA RUG | WOODEN ACCENT TABLE | LEATHER PILLOW COVER | ARCH MIRROR | DRESSER | BE KIND AND BRAVE PENNANT | CURTAIN ROD | BLACK OUT SHADES | CLIPS FOR CURTAINS | WOOD FLOATING SHELVES
Choose a Neutral Color Scheme for Baby and Toddler Room Sharing
When it comes to the color palette, opt for a neutral and calming theme. I loved that we chose a neutral scheme straight out the gate when we first designed this nursery back in 2021, one beautiful perk of not knowing the gender with your first pregnancy! Had Stella’s nursery been very feminine and girly decked out in pink, this transition to a girl/boy shared nursery would have been much more challenging. Not to mention, neutral colors create a soothing ambiance that benefits both infants and toddlers.
Soft tones like pastels or earthy hues can be incorporated through wall paint, bedding, curtains, and other decorative elements. This neutral backdrop will provide a versatile canvas for personalization. Note our white linens, cream colored curtains, sage muslin throw blanket, beige/gold toned rug, leather pillow cover, natural hyacinth woven basket, and faux olive tree and gypsophila foliage.
LIFE IS WONDER FULL ART PRINT | GYPSOPHILA FOLIAGE | GLOBE GLASS VASE | KEEKAROO CHANGING PAD | (behind the glider) DIAPER PAIL
Sleep Solutions
Sleep is vital for both your newborn and toddler. Consider delaying the time you move the baby into the nursery from your room. For what we anticipate to be the first 3 months, Graham will be in his bassinet in our master bedroom. Our bassinet is linked here. This will allow us to establish a sleep schedule for our newborn, before introducing him into our toddler’s sleep environment. We’ll be implementing Taking Cara Babies from day 1, just like we did with Stella!
For the toddler, a cozy bed or floor mat can be positioned in their designated zone. We lowered Stella’s crib down to the lowest height, and transitioned her to the toddler bed face about 2 months before Graham was due. We tried to space out the introduction of each new baby item into Stella’s space gradually over the course of my entire third trimester, as to not overwhelm her. Practicing saying his name, seeing his clothes, his hamper, his bed, etc all helped prepare her for his arrival! Ensure that the sleep areas are free from distractions and noise to help promote peaceful rest for both children. We utilize our Hatch sound machine, and blackout curtains.
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NAME PENNANT FLAGS | LARGE OAK FRAMES | MINI CRIB AND MATTRESS | TODDLER BED AND MATTRESS | MINI CRIB SHEET | TODDLER BED SHEET | SAGE MUSLIN THROW | RIBBED VELVET PILLOW COVER | AREA RUG
Storage Solutions for Baby and Toddler Room Sharing
Effective storage is key to maintaining an organized shared nursery. Our room is only 110 sqft, so utilizing the dresser and closet space to our advantage is key. Opt for furniture pieces that offer ample storage options such as multi-functional cribs; and consider drawers, bookshelves, and cubbies in the closet. Use bins and baskets to store diapers, clothing, linens, and other essentials. Encourage your toddler to participate in tidying up their toys and belongings, teaching them the importance of organization from an early age.
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NAME PENNANT FLAGS | LARGE OAK FRAMES | MINI CRIB AND MATTRESS | TODDLER BED AND MATTRESS | MINI CRIB SHEET | TODDLER BED SHEET | SAGE MUSLIN THROW | RIBBED VELVET PILLOW COVER | AREA RUG | DRESSER | KEEKAROO CHANGING PAD | OLIVE TREE | LEATHER PILLOW COVER
Most of Stella and Graham’s toys are out in our living room, as we really just use the nursery for sleeping. But the dresser and the closet have been each cut in half, with a his and hers sides, if you will. Each child has a drawer for diapers, a drawer for pajamas, a drawer for linens. The closet allows for each child to have a hamper, rod space for hanging outfits, hanging shelves, and cubbies for larger clothes. You can see some of our storage items shared below.
Click on the photo below to take you to my LTK to shop all these items. Or click on individual product links just below the photo.
CREAM HAMPER | BLACK HAMPER | WOODEN FLOATING SHELVES | LINEN STORAGE BINS | HANGING CLOSET CUBBIES | DRESSER DRAWER ORGANIZERS
Personalize Their Spaces
Although the room is shared, it’s essential to create individualized spaces for each child. I want Stella and Graham to both feel ‘at home’ in their shared space. Hang personalized name plaques, artwork, or photographs on the walls. Just after styling this room, I decided to swap out one of our art pieces for a watercolor of Tuscany! Taking Stella to Italy is easily our favorite family memory thus far, and having conceived baby #2 in Italy, a view of the Italian countryside in their shared nursery just feels so appropriate.
By personalizing their space, you provide a sense of ownership and comfort for both children. Stella’s favorite sun hat hangs on the wall; and a personalized book for both Stella and Graham is on the shelf. We designed this through Wonderbly! And our ‘Stella Goes to Italy’ photo board book was designed through Artifact Uprising.
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GLIDER WITH OTTOMAN | AREA RUG | WOODEN ACCENT TABLE | LEATHER PILLOW COVER | ARCH MIRROR | DRESSER | BE KIND AND BRAVE PENNANT | CURTAIN ROD | BLACK OUT SHADES | CLIPS FOR CURTAINS | WOOD FLOATING SHELVES
Final Thoughts on Baby and Toddler Room Sharing
Sharing a nursery between a toddler and a newborn may require some additional planning and organization, but it’s entirely possible to create a harmonious space that caters to the needs of both children. By establishing zones, choosing a neutral color scheme, providing separate sleep areas, implementing effective storage solutions, and personalizing their spaces, you can create a nurturing environment where your little ones can grow, learn, and thrive together. Embrace the journey of shared parenthood and cherish the precious moments that this special bond brings.
I am so looking forward to watching Stella meet Graham, and welcoming him into her cozy space. I will be sure to update this post as I test out this shared space we’ve designed!
Moms – Do your baby and toddler share a room? What tips and tricks would you want to share? How has your experience been with toddler room sharing?
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