When you’re expecting twins, “making room for baby” is a whole different ballgame from a normal child’s room. Squeezing two newborns into one nursery can seem daunting at first, but with a little advice and some creative thinking, you can easily create a beautiful and functional space for two.
Feeling overwhelmed? We’ve got you covered. Stop panicking and start planning with these 10 helpful tips for designing the perfect twin nursery.
Start Early
When you have a couple of buns in the oven, you can’t count on hitting that 40-week mark. Twins tend to arrive early, and once your little ones have made their big début, finishing the nursery will be the last thing on your mind.
Comfort is another important consideration. You don’t want to wait until you’re so far along that even the most basic chores seem impossible! Get your planning out of the way early, so you’ll be ready for action when you hit that sweet spot early in the second trimester.
Don’t Double Up
With twins on the way, it may be tempting to buy two of everything. But unless you have an unhealthy obsession with Tetris, doubling up on furniture is not the way to go.
You may have two kids, but you only have one set of hands. You’re not going to change multiple babies at the same time, and keeping all their clothes in different dressers will only waste time and energy. Instead, opt for a single dresser and changing table combo, and invest in some drawer separators to help keep things organized.
Choose the Right Crib
One thing you will need to double up on is the crib. (While crib sharing is fine for newborns, you’ll likely want to separate your little ones once they start rolling and bumping into one another.)
For the best fit, skip the larger convertible cribs, and choose a simple crib with clean lines. Look for a small footprint and low, even sides. This will give you more placement options and will look more natural should you need to push the cribs together or place them in the center of the room.
Consider Crib Placement Carefully
As if finding room for two separate cribs wasn’t hard enough, you’ll need to be pretty picky about placement.
Tight on space? Consider buying a pair of stylish mini cribs.
Never put a crib directly in front of a window. Your baby could easily overheat in the afternoon sun, or worse, fall through the window while attempting to climb out of the crib. Toddlers have also been known to strangle themselves with blind cords or pull heavy window treatments down by tugging at the fabric, so be sure to keep these items well out of reach.
As your twins grow older, playing with one another will begin to seem like a more enticing option than sleep. They may even try to climb into one another’s cribs!
Keep Things Simple
When it comes to decorating twin rooms, it’s best to take the minimalist approach. With two babies in one room, there’s already a lot going on. Keeping the décor simple will help the space to appear clean and uncluttered.
While it may not always be possible, a degree of separation between twin cribs can go along way toward ensuring safer, more restful nights.
Avoid bold color palettes and busy patterns, and look for simple furnishing with clean lines. Keep toys to a minimum, and don’t overdo the accessories. Remember, a simple space can be a beautiful one.
Give It a Personal Touch
Your twins may look alike, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have their signature style!
While you want to create a cohesive look, there’s no need for matchy-matchy everything. Big-ticket items, like cribs, should match, but feel free to use different accents and accessories to give each infant’s space a personalized feel.
Having mixed-gender twins? Try painting the nursery in a neutral shade with different accent colors for each child. When shopping for accessories, look for items that share at least one key element, like color or shape. As long as you maintain some sense of symmetry, you’re sure to have a beautiful, well-coordinated space.
Add Extra Seating
If you have extra room in the nursery, consider adding additional seating. With two demanding little ones to care for, you’ll be happy for any help you can get! Adding an extra armchair or even a little loveseat will ensure seating for any friends and relatives willing to lend a hand.
Maximize Storage
More babies equal more stuff. If you’re going to stay on top of it all, you’ll need to get creative.
Need more closet space? Double your closet’s potential by installing a second rail. Are you running short on drawer space? Install a row of hooks, and use attractive canvas storage bags to store everything from blankets to burp cloths! You’ll also want to invest in under-the-bed storage bins for each crib, and keep an eye out for other clever space-saving ideas, such as ottomans with hidden storage.
Put Safety First
When it comes to toddler hijinks, having twins means fielding double the trouble. With a permanent partner-in-crime at the ready, twins tend to hatch more harebrained schemes and take more risks than your average toddling disaster zone, making childproofing an absolute must.
To keep your daring duo safe, be aware of common nursery accidents and how to prevent them, and take the time to baby-proof your nursery as soon as possible.
Buy a White Noise Machine
Having a roommate can be tough! One minute you’re snoozing away, happily dreaming about your next feeding, and the next thing you know, your roomie’s hosting a midnight shindig, and the whole family is invited!
Want to put the kibosh on these impromptu parties? White noise is the perfect solution.
The steady hum of a white noise machine creates a womb-like environment that calms anxious infants, helping them to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It also does an excellent job of drowning out potential distractions – like noisy roommates and late-night visitors.
For best results, buy two noisemakers and place one by each crib, creating a comforting “noise bubble” around each infant. Keep the volume low, but place the unit as close to the crib as possible. Noises outside of the bubble will simply fade away.
