Turning a home office into a nursery: one room, three looks
Step 1: clear the office out (in this order)
- Desk, printer and monitor out. These are the biggest pieces and they free the wall the crib needs. If you still need a work spot, a fold-down wall desk in another room is easier than sharing the nursery.
- Cords and power strips. Offices have the most cords of any room. Unplug and remove what's left so nothing runs along the floor or near where the crib will go.
- Window coverings. Cords on blinds are a strangling hazard. Swap corded blinds for cordless ones or curtains, and plan the crib away from the window.
- Keep what works. A comfy desk chair can stay as a reading seat (all three looks below kept or echoed it). Bookcases can stay if they're anchored.
- Measure the empty room before you buy anything. A crib takes about 30" by 54", plus room to walk and open the dresser drawers. Our measuring checklist covers the rest.
Step 2: pick a look
All three are the same office from the same doorway, so you can compare the style and not the room.
Classic
Soft white crib and dresser, a plaid skirted armchair, a fluffy round rug and framed portraits above a chair rail. The pink-and-white desk chair fabric came along as a second armchair.
Boho
Natural rattan crib and chair, a round jute rug, a pink dresser, a tall potted plant and a macramé wall hanging. Same window, same floor, totally different mood.
Whimsical
A storybook meadow mural on the crib wall, a white crib under a mobile, blush curtains and the original floral desk chair kept as a reading seat.
Snap one photo of your office or spare room and see it as a classic, boho or whimsical nursery in about a minute.
See your room as a nursery, free →Step 3: set it up safely
- Crib: inside wall, away from the window, curtain cords, wall hangings and shelves.
- Dresser and bookcases: anchor them to the wall with anti-tip kits, even if they feel heavy.
- Glider or chair: leave room for it to rock or recline. See how much space a glider needs.
- Rug: a round rug, like all three looks here, softens a boxy office. Pick the size with our nursery rug size guide.
Small office?
Most home offices are small bedrooms, often around 9x10 or 10x10. These plans show what fits: small nursery layout ideas, crib and dresser in a 9x10 and a crib in a 10x10. Sharing the room with a guest bed too? See the nursery and guest room combo.
Common questions
How do I turn a home office into a nursery?
Move the desk, printer and monitor out, remove cords and power strips, swap corded blinds for cordless ones or curtains, then measure the empty room. Put the crib on an inside wall away from the window and anchor the dresser to the wall. Then choose one style and keep the colors simple.
Can a nursery share a room with a home office?
It can, but it's hard to work in a room where a baby naps. If you must share, keep the desk on the far wall from the crib, run every cord behind furniture and out of reach, and use cordless window coverings.
What size is a typical home office for a nursery?
Many home offices are small bedrooms around 9x10 to 10x10 feet. That fits a full-size crib, a dresser and a small chair if you plan the walkway. Check your own room's size first.
Can I keep my desk chair in the nursery?
Yes, a comfortable chair makes a good reading or feeding seat. Just keep it away from the crib so a climbing toddler can't use it to get out later.
How can I see my office as a nursery before I buy anything?
Upload one photo of the room to Room for Baby's free photo-to-nursery tool at roomforbaby.com/dream. It shows the same room as a classic, boho or whimsical nursery so you can pick a direction, then plan real furniture sizes in the 3D planner.