Do I Need a Baby Wardrobe in My Nursery? How Much Is It?

person holding a baby clothing

Buying baby clothes is the fun part of preparing for your baby. One of the biggest dilemmas, though, is where to put all these cute little outfits. If you have a big nursery, creating storage most likely won’t be a problem. However, you may still wonder whether you need a baby wardrobe?

Having a baby wardrobe in your baby’s nursery is an ideal way to keep your little ones’ clothes organized and easy to reach. If, however, you don’t have space, or you’re working with a limited budget, some alternative storage ideas include hanging shelves, a chest of drawers, baskets or even using clothes racks.

Key takeaways

Some of the key points to keep in mind when considering a cupboard for your nursery include:

  1. A wardrobe is handy to keep clothes organized
  2. There are several alternatives to wardrobes such as hanging shelves, baskets, and plastic containers
  3. Other household items such as bookshelves and a chest of drawers can be turned into temporary storage cupboards

Do I need a baby wardrobe in my nursery?

The short answer here is no. While a baby wardrobe makes organizing clothes much simpler, the good news is, there are other ways to store your baby clothes

You can easily add a few hanging shelves on the wall above the changing table or use a chest of drawers that you have to spare. Baskets, clothes racks, and clothing rods. A big advantage is also using the storage shelves or drawers offered by some cribs with a changing table. 

At what age/size you should get a baby wardrobe

The good thing about baby clothes is that they fold up quite small in the beginning. That means they don’t require a great deal of space. Many parents prefer not to buy too many clothes in the early stages as babies grow so quickly. 

Starting from 9 months onwards, clothes start getting much bigger and longer, meaning there will be more space needed. If you’re not going to buy a wardrobe before birth, getting one before your baby’s 1st birthday might seem like a better idea. If your baby is born in the winter months, you might need a wardrobe sooner for bulkier items such as jackets.

What you should typically store in your baby wardrobe

Depending on the size of your wardrobe, you can store everything from diapers to hanging winter coats. Simply organize your shelves‌. 

Storing baby clothes folded vs hanging it

Since baby clothes are sometimes quite tiny, they may be too small to hang and fold. Depending on the material of the clothes, some fabrics would last longer if they were hung up rather than folded. Moreover, if you change baby clothes often, a wardrobe might give you easier access to the clothes. This way you save some precious time!

With these considerations in mind, here’s some advice about folding and hanging it. 

  • Hanging clothes lets you see everything all at once
  • Onesies are easy to fold and if you arrange them like files in a drawer, you’ll easily see them
  • Bulk items like jackets take up less space if hung up
  • Shirts and jeans wrinkle when they’re folded up, so rather hang them

Factors to consider when looking for a baby wardrobe

If you’ve opted for a baby wardrobe, there are a few factors to consider as you search for the best one. 

Available space in your nursery

The most crucial factor to consider is the space you have in the nursery. You’ll want the wardrobe to be out of the way, but also easily accessible. The space you have might determine whether you can opt for a larger cupboard or a simple chest of drawers.

Where to put your baby wardrobe in your nursery

Ideally, putting the wardrobe close to the changing table would be a great idea. That makes it easy to reach for items during changing sessions. It’s also easier to use the changing table when you’re folding and sorting your little one’s clothes. If, however, the only space you have is across the room, that’s fine as long as it’s not in your way. 

How much is a baby wardrobe typically?

There are so many baby furniture items that you need to buy. It’s daunting to keep track of prices vs your budget. Some of the more common options are listed below. 

Brand NameAverage Cost
MAGINELS Children’s Wardrobe$79.99
YOUUD Wardrobe Storage Closet$43.99
UDEAR Portable Wardrobe$42.99
Brian & Dany Portable Cartoon Storage Organizer$53.99
Kids Wardrobe Closet Portable Cube Storage$57.99
6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer$31.44
JYYG Kids Dresser Kid Clothes Storage Baby Dresser$74.99
Aeitc Kids Wardrobe Baby dresser$94.99

Invest in a wardrobe that grows with your baby

If you’re going to buy your wardrobe, invest in an item that you can continue using as your baby grows. A neutral-colored option with considerable packing space can easily be used in a toddler room.

Alternatives to buying a baby wardrobe

If you don’t have space, or you want a different way to store your little one’s clothes, there are a bunch of other alternatives to consider. I’ve listed a few of the more innovative options below. 

Getting or buying a used baby wardrobe

Many parents find it more affordable to buy used baby furniture, especially since the items will only be used for a few months. A used wardrobe is an ideal way to save money. Buying a bigger and more neutral robe allows you to use it in your little one’s room when they move out of the nursery or when you turn it into a toddler room.

Storing items (at least temporarily) in plastic boxes (under the bed)

Plastic storage boxes or baskets are a very popular way to store clothes and toys. You can label the boxes and baskets to make the organization process simpler. Boxes and baskets are easy to store on a shelf or under the bed, at least until you find the easiest option. Baskets can also be hung up behind a door, to save space.

Building your baby wardrobe? Here’s how to build one

Building your own wardrobe is easy if you want to consider a DIY option. You don’t even need the conventional type that requires doors. Have a look at these easy steps:

  • Simply mount floating shelves against the wall – count out the amount you need
  • Place a clothing rod next to the shelves for baby hangers if you need one
  • Either attach baskets to the wall or place them on shelves – these can add space for onesies, socks, and other small clothing accessories
  • You can add a cube hanging shelf if you have space next to the shelves
  • Label the shelves, baskets, and plastic containers for optimal organization

Hanging Shelves

Many parents living in apartments opt to use hanging shelves in the room where the baby will sleep. For maximum organization, label the shelves. That way, everyone who works with the baby’s laundry knows where it goes. 

Bookshelf

If you have a small bookshelf that you won’t miss for a few months, it can provide a lot of shelf space to place little clothing items on. As your baby grows, you can start filling it with books and educational toys. 

Clothing rail

If you don’t have a lot of clothes to hang, you can easily invest in a clothing rail. Some clothing rails have wheels, making them easy to move around. A shelf on the bottom provides more space for packing. 

Here’s a short clip from home depot showing you how easy it is to organize your baby clothes. 

Conclusion

Do you need a baby wardrobe? Not necessarily. If you have space for shelves, hanging robes, or even a chest of drawers, you’ll have enough space to store baby clothes. Getting creative with baskets, plastic containers, and shelves will add a touch of uniqueness to your little one’s nursery and keep clothes organized! 

For more information on setting up your nursery, my article about buying your baby stuff, such as clothes, promises to be filled with a few tips you’ll find very useful!

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