Smart, Decorative Storage

Okay, so here’s another thing I’ve picked up on as a brand new mom. There’s some more stuff that I have to store now, and have handy. Like diapers and changing supplies. Before the baby came along, I just imagined that every time I would change his diaper, I’d be taking him into his nursery to that perfect changing station that I’d already set up.

As it turns out, that’s not so much a reality. Right now, little O sleeps in a bassinet beside my bed. Do you think that I’m going to actually get up in the middle of the night and go into a whole other room just to change his diaper? Fat chance. I’m going to do it right there in bed. I learned the hard way that sometimes babies pee or poo as you’re changing their diaper (not exactly the type of thing you want them to be doing in your bed). So I got a Boppy waterproof changing pad liner (the type that you can put to prevent having to wash your changing pad so often) and started using that, and what do you know, ever since I started using that, he hasn’t made one mess. Oh well. I still use it every time. Anyway, for his changing needs, I need to keep diapers, wipes, cream, and a waterproof liner handy. Right beside my bed. Enter Ikea’s crochet basket. (I can’t find it on their site to link to… maybe they’re finished selling this item?) I stock this with all my supplies plus some snacks and water for myself (because I also wake up parched and starved during those midnight feedings). So handy, and yet it blends in to my bedroom decor.

Downstairs I have put to use the other basket that came with this set. There it sits on my end table. And you’ll never guess what’s inside. My breast pump, ladies. That’s right. Hidden in plain sight.

I also have changing supplies stored downstairs. It’s not decorative, but it’s hidden underneath my coffee table/ottoman. I have a basket containing diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, and receiving blankets. This is great and saves me trips upstairs, which is so necessary right now because I’m in a cast after having foot surgery.

Finally, one last glimpse at some decorative storage in our house. Here’s a shot of our entry way where you can see a silver box. I’ve stocked this silver box with envelopes, stamps, pens, a check book, chapstick, gum—all the things that I’m usually scrambling to find when I’m running late and trying to get out the door. (You’ll also see part of our cool camera collection—all ready and waiting by the door so that we can document our outings in creative ways!)

What subtle, decorative storage solutions have you implemented in your homes?

Alma