Last weekend I rearranged Clara’s nursery—again—and a few of you asked for an update after noticing subtle changes, so here it is. I’ll spare you the breathless running commentary and jump straight into what moved. It wasn’t a full overhaul, just a few strategic swaps, but the room did look chaotic for a little while while I shifted everything around.
As usual, Clara was “helping Mommy decorate.” In her world, decorate only needs two syllables. She disappears behind the changing pad in these photos because she’s not tall enough to peek over it; she was busy “juggling” cloth diapers and serenading us with Katy Perry’s Firework. No exaggeration.
For comparison, here’s a shot from the last time I went through a similar fit of rearranging—the room looks familiar, just with more summer outfits this time around.
Here’s a straightforward list of what I changed so the layout makes sense:
- The crib that used to sit on the wall in front of the door is now on the far wall across from it.
- The dresser that was on that far wall moved to where the crib had been.
- The chair and side table stayed mostly put.
- The floor lamp that once stood behind the chair was moved to the kitchen and now lights our sitting nook by the fireplace.
- Clara’s hamper was tucked into the spot where the lamp used to be, which helps keep it a bit out of reach—sometimes.
After these swaps the room feels more open when you walk in. The dresser is about half as deep as the crib was, so returning the crib to the wall I originally intended for it opens up the entryway the way I’d always planned.
That little “C” on the door came from Anthropologie on clearance a while back. It was $6, and Clara gleefully announces “C for Clara” whenever she walks by.
I tucked Clara’s hamper behind the reading chair because she loves dumping it out and scattering things everywhere. Hiding it in that corner turns it into more of an obstacle-course challenge than a constantly exposed temptation.
The crib is finally on the back wall, and I’m relieved. Safety is a priority, so the frames above the crib are well out of reach. The crib is pulled about 18 inches from the wall to prevent little hands from grabbing anything, and the frames are secured with screws or anchors where possible, plus heavy-duty removable adhesive strips for extra peace of mind. They’re removable for the wall but not removable by a baby—bonus.
Opposite the green mirror and chair is a corner that still feels a bit bare; we’ll add some art there eventually. The photo below tries to show three things: the crib is pulled out from the wall, the house still has many blank walls that need art, and Clara’s closet remains my favorite nook—I still find myself lingering in there admiring the potato-stamped walls.
One of our favorite projects in the room is still Clara’s $20 Craigslist dresser. We refinished it, and it’s held up wonderfully; it takes a lot of wear and tear from wooden toys and keeps on going.
Every post needs a close-up of a favorite stuffed alligator—here’s ours, getting its moment.
I love the handmade details in the room: the bookshelves John built and the mobile I made are some of my favorite things. Small, personal touches like these make the space feel warm and meaningful.
Another focal point is the art wall. It’s full of sentimental pieces that make me a little teary whenever I look at them. The gallery feels like a snapshot of memories, which is why I keep it up there where we see it often.
Monkey detail shot!!!
Okay, that might be the best use of three exclamation points I’ve ever made. But really—who doesn’t love a little exuberance?
You get a car!!! You get a car!!! You get a car!!!
What I’ve learned after three different layouts since we moved in is to avoid absolutes like “I’ll never change this again.” I genuinely like this arrangement more than the previous two, so for now it’s staying. But I won’t be surprised if the room gets tweaked again down the line.
What about you? Which rooms in your home get rearranged frequently, and which ones stay largely the same? For us, the bedroom and living room have been steady since about a month after moving in, while Clara’s nursery and our kitchen seem to be the most labile.