How to Arrange a Crib & Dresser in an Apartment

Sketch Your Apartment

• Draw or sketch possible ways to position or arrange the crib or dresser in the bedroom or other available space, such as the home office. This doesn't require superb artistic ability. Grab multiple sheets of paper because you're likely to create multiple sketches. Take into account furniture and items currently in the room, as well as windows and doors. Sketch new locations for these items and consider suitable placements for the crib and dresser. After deciding on a particular design, rearrange your furniture according to the sketch.

Take Measurements

• In small apartments, a baby might share a room with a sibling or sleep in the master bedroom with his parents. Before shopping for a crib and dresser, take measurements of the available space in your apartment. Select a crib and dresser that fits within this space. For example, if available space along a wall in your bedroom measures 74 inches, the combined measurements for the dresser and crib must be under 74 inches. The same rule applies if you decide to position the crib and dresser along different walls. You might have 40 inches available on one wall for the crib and 32 inches available on another wall for the dresser.

Lights, Windows and Fixtures

• Babies are curious and active. With this said, be aware of outlets and fixtures located near your baby's crib. Your baby might play with these items and injure himself. In addition, don't locate your baby's crib next to a window. He might grab hold of the blinds or drapes and pull them down or injure himself with the cord. What's more, choose a location for the dresser, shelves and other bulky furniture that's a few feet away from the crib. As your child grows, he might reach for items on a dresser or shelf and pull these items into his crib.

Considerations

• Some small apartments don't allow room for both a crib and dresser. Rather than buy two separate pieces of furniture, look for a crib and dresser combo. These cribs feature a bed on top and dresser drawers on the bottom. You might also clear out space in your dresser and designate one or two drawers for your baby's items.