We’re in the middle of several projects—some at the office, some at home—so we tackled one small but important update: rearranging Clara’s nursery. It was the one thing we actually finished amid the mess of other jobs, and it made a noticeable difference. Below is a clearer account of what we changed and why.
When we first set up the room, Clara was seven months old and not yet mobile. She’s now fifteen months, walking confidently and reaching farther than before, so the layout that worked earlier no longer felt safe or practical.
The main problems we needed to solve:
- An air vent at the foot of the crib would sometimes kick on in the morning and wake Clara up early.
- Sunlight slipped through the edge of the curtains and blinds, creating bright spots in the crib that also woke her.
- Her increased height and reach put the curtains within her grasp, which could lead to pulling them down or getting tangled.
- A bench under the window wasn’t interesting to her yet, but we worried she might try to climb it as she got older and attempt to reach the window.
- The ceramic table lamp on the side table was now an easy target for a determined toddler, so we wanted something less breakable and out of reach.
Also, for no particular reason besides personality, rearranging furniture is something we enjoy doing.
Here’s what the nursery looked like before the swap (photos were taken mid-chaos), and here’s what we did during the rearrange while John was at work and Clara “helped” by clapping and pushing things with me.
- I moved the crib to various walls and configurations until we liked it best under the high-mounted mobile and floating shelves that formerly sat above the changing table. This solved the air-vent and sunlight problems and put the wall-hung items a safe distance out of Clara’s reach.
- I made sure the crib was positioned farther from the curtains so Clara’s arms can’t reach them. From the new location the curtains are over two feet away, and the mattress is in the lowest position for safety.
- I experimented with different locations for the changing table and settled on the wall with the picture frames, adjusting the frame heights so they won’t be kicked during diaper changes.
- The chair, ottoman, and side table were relocated under the green mirror and paired with a floor lamp that isn’t ceramic and sits out of toddler reach—safer and more practical for nightly feedings or reading.
- The bench was moved away from under the window to the wall near the closet to reduce the risk of it being used as a climbing step.
To help visualize the changes, I sketched a simple layout while I worked. Once the dust settled the new arrangement was far from perfect, but it was a clear improvement in functionality. Most importantly, it reduced safety hazards and cut down on early wake-ups. Clara, who had been waking reliably at 7:30 for months, slept until 8:00 two mornings in a row after the move—big progress for us.
Here are a few finishing touches and future plans I’d like to get to when time allows:
- Replace the current side table next to the chair and ottoman with something less awkward and more functional.
- Add wall decor above the green bench in the corner—something planned and imagined but not yet installed.
- Sew a new pillow cover for the chair using leftover fabric from other projects to refresh the look.
- Expand the framed-photo wall so it fills more of the height and width of the space, and move sentimental photos out of reach until they can be securely rehung.
- Build a DIY dollhouse and make a beanbag for a closet reading nook to create a cozy play space.
- Paint the area under the window with magnetic paint beneath the wall paint for a secret magnet wall that will be fun and engaging as she gets older.
- Consider adding crown molding and painting the ceiling to finish the room when the major projects around the house are completed.
There are probably more small ideas we’ll add to the list, but for now the primary goals—safety, better sleep, and improved function—are accomplished. Have you rearranged a room recently while balancing a sleeping baby, a helpful toddler, or an uninterested pet? We’d love to hear about your solutions and discoveries when you moved furniture and found dust bunnies hiding behind the pieces.
Note: details about some of the nursery projects—like the mobile, refurbished dresser, bench upholstery, mirror paint, curtains, book ledges, chandelier choice, art wall, wall paint, and stamped closet—are part of our ongoing home updates and inspiration for future tweaks.