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Lifestyle Q & A Forum

In a small apartment, how do we make space for a baby?

by
Nancy Phillips LeRoy
Interior Designer Allied Member of ASID Special Spaces, Ltd.



Question:
We have a one-bedroom apartment -- how do we make a separate space for the baby?
Answer:
The easiest and quickest way to create privacy for both baby and adults in one bedroom is to use folding screens to separate the space. Think of the screens as walls. These can be dressing screens, which combine wood and fabric and are usually lightweight and easily movable. The baby's side of the screen can be a nursery-appropriate fabric, while the fabric used on the bedroom side of the screen can fit with the adult bedroom decor.

Decorative wooden screens that come with a variety of art work and finishes are another option. These screens are usually expensive and not generally decorated with a baby in mind. However, if you are handy or know someone who is, you could make a decorative wooden screen yourself, using doors hinged together -- louvered doors are recommended for good air circulation. Plywood sections can also be hinged together and either painted, wallpapered or upholstered (remember they are walls). Pictures can be hung on a solid wooden screen. so you can create interesting things for your baby to see.

The size of the doors or plywood panels to be used and how many you will need depends on the amount of screening needed. A good panel size is from 18" to 24" wide and 84" high. Remember, doors and plywood are heavy and can be awkward and hard to handle, so if you use this option, don't plan on moving the screen once it is in place.

Another possibility is to hang fabric to separate the space. This option would require you to consult with your landlord to obtain permission to put holes in the walls for appropriate rodding from which the fabric could be hung, and also require repair of those holes when you move.