In my home, there is one thing I really like to see: multifunctionality! In all things. It comes from dwelling in small spaces and living minimally. I lived with less in order to cope with tight quarters. A tactic I’ve developed is choosing flexible furniture that is neutral, easy to move (aka light!), and multipurpose. The latter reduces waste, making our lifestyle eco-conscious as well. So when I originally partnered with Baby Bay to try their bassinet for the first three months of Casey’s life, I intentionally had plans for repurposing the bassinet into something other. Mind you, I’ve shuffled through a few renditions so far, and will continue to go down the list in due time. Here are my top ten creative ways to repurpose a Baby Bay bassinet, should you wish to get bang from your buck, prevent waste, et cetera.
A changing station. We didn’t buy Casey a changing station when he was born. Whilst he was using Baby Bay as a bassinet, I was changing him on a Dock-A-Tot perched on my desk or bed. After we transitioned him to a crib, the Baby Bay acted as the new changing station. The Dock-A-Tot fits perfectly in the Baby Bay bassinet. It creates a cushion for baby. I felt he was safe in there as the wheels locked.
A toy bin. Often we used the Baby Bay as a stuffed animal bin. It works as a great catch-all basket which we wheel into the closet. Sometimes, you just want to clear the floor before guests arrive, you know? And PRONTO.
A bench for a toddler. Because you can lower the bassinet down height-wise, it can double as a mini bench for a child. You just have to remove the railing so they can sit. Add a few decorative pillows for comfort, and voila!
A desk for a little kid. This is the same set-up as number three with a few minor adjustments. Throw a tiny chair or stool underneath the bassinet and remove the cushion for a make-shift table.
A cat bed. Our cat Theo loves to jump into the Baby Bay bassinet. It’s a safe space to sleep, away from a toddler. You can wheel the bassinet by a windowsill, where cats tend to watch birds or bask in the sun. It’ll be their new favorite spot!
A hamper or laundry basket. I can wheel the Baby Bay to the dryer and toss the laundry in. Then I can wheel the clothes back to the nursery. No stray clothes falling out of my arms as I walk down the hallway. And I avoid heavy-lifting after my C-section! More importantly, now I can fold laundry while Casey plays in his room. It’s hard to get anything done with a toddler if you’re confined within a space.
A bar cart. If you remove the cushion, the bassinet base makes a great bar cart! Keep the railing or remove it. When guests visit, you can easily bring the cart to the dining table or the living room.
A bookshelf. If you want to practice early independence, you can use the Baby Bay bassinet as a bookshelf for your toddler. They can walk right up and choose the books they want to read, or practice putting them away.
An planter box. I can see the Baby Bay bassinet as a beautiful herb garden. Remove the cushion and place plants and pots on the base. It would be easy to water plants here, and you can always wheel it to where the sunlight is just right.
An entryway table. Lastly, the Baby Bay bassinet can be an entryway table. Style with a Courant Catch 3 charger for your keys, wallet and phone. Or stack a few books, a candle and plant on the top of the bassinet. Underneath the bassinet, you can line up guests’ shoes.
& The best part? We are now expecting baby number two, and I am so excited to have Baby Bay by my bedside once again. Even after all its renditions, the Baby Bay bassinet is in tip-top shape and ready to have another go. If you are on the market for a baby bassinet, look no further than Baby Bay! Read why we chose the Baby Bay bassinet for our tiny home, and how it functioned for our son’s first three months of life.
