After the initial shock, excitement, and joy of learning I was pregnant wore off, I started panicking. Not panicking like "Holy, s**t, I'm going to have a child" (though I do get that, too), panicking about the fact that my husband and I live in an 800-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn.
We tossed around the idea of moving for a few days during the first trimester. But then we came to the conclusion that we weren't budging. At least not yet. Our neighborhood is amazing (and extremely child-friendly); we have a decent deal on rent; we're close to our jobs; and when we do eventually move, it's going to be into a place we own.
So, we've made do. We've managed to create a nice little nursery (on the relatively cheap) in our tiny, humble abode. It's cute, it's stylish (I think), and I imagine our little girl will be perfectly happy in here ... for now.
Check out the before and after pics!
Before we get into it, though, full disclosure, I live in a railroad apartment (a long, skinny apartment), and there is a little "room" type of thing in between our living room and bedroom. There aren't any doors; nope, no windows; and it used to be where we kept our dining table (we now eat at the coffee table -- ah, the lap of luxury). Anyway, here it is.
Before:
See where that dude is standing? That's the hallway. The other side of the panel curtain room divider -- which we he installed with IKEA shades -- is the room. Pretty small.
Another shot. Nothing says "Welcome home, Baby!" like a blank brick wall.
After:
A little better, right? Some light beige paint, pictures, and whimsical, sparkly things can do wonders.
A closer shot of the wall. The garland is from Confetti System and the white, flower mobile is from Etsy.
A closer shot of the pictures -- which are actually just framed art cards from Wee Gallery!
The other side of the room. The changing table is a Malm dresser from IKEA (with o'verlays), and the bookshelf is the Expedit shelving unit -- also IKEA. Clearly.
I stupidly didn't get a shot of the rug -- but it's a skinny, runner kind of deal. And, of course, note the Diaper Genie in the background.
Some of her books.
Baskets have been my best friends. Since we don't have much storage, we've filled these bad boys up with "baby toiletries," burp clothes, socks, bibs, etc.
The headdress. Okay, most people think I'm weird for this, but I have a thing with headdresses -- they're so colorful and beautiful. As odd as it sounds, I kind of couldn't imagine my girl's room without one. And it was literally under $5 from Amazon.
Not bad for an itty-bitty apartment, if I do say so myself. And, thankfully, we didn't spend a million dollars during "the transformation." I guess that's one of the perks to only having 20 square feet to decorate!
Did you live in a small space when you had your first baby? Any space-saving tips you want to share?
Images via Nicole Fabian-Weber