Esthetic Toddler Playpen: Balancing Style and Safety in Modern Homes

Since Casey was born, I’ve resisted turning our downstairs living space into something that indicated we had children. I wanted my house to be like a tranquil model home, minimally idyllic and presentable at all times. Alas, toddler things just find their way downstairs. At first we limited it to an esthetic high-chair and the most gorgeous wooden walker. We kept his toys stored in a basket, picking up after him daily. It was sort of working out. But after an unrelenting summer, we could no longer deny the addition of a massive playpen. This was probably the biggest “I-give-up” moment in my delusional era of motherhood. STILL, if I had to add a playpen, I wanted the most esthetic toddler playpen I could find. I acquiesce to safety and taking up room but perhaps not entirely my esthetic standards. Thankfully, I found a solution using a Harppababy play pen and a House of Noa playmat. I love the end result and I can’t believe I didn’t find this sooner.

Our Esthetic Toddler Playpen

When I found the Harppababy gate on Amazon, I immediately fell in love.

The Harppababy gate is made of FSC-certified sustainably sourced New Zealand pine with barely any glue in it. It emits the Japandi esthetic reflected in our current space. The gate offers versatility as it configures to multiple layouts and sizes with ease, thereby making it a perfect option for both tiny homes and large spaces. When it arrived, Mike only took a half hour to assemble it without any tools required. And can you believe it’s foldable as well? We plan to take it on a weekend get-away to Santa Barbara next month.

The Harppababy gate is extremely light and easy to move around. It is multi-functional, doubling for a Montessori floor bed or as a play space in the backyard. Or it can also act as a space for time-out for young kids who misbehave. Plus it can keep toddlers away from newborns, kids away from messes that need to be cleaned up, or pets away from children. Designed with the modern family in mind, the Harppababy gate can accommodate children from 6 months to 6 years old.

The Harpppababy gate is also very safe. Suction cups at the base that prevent it from moving. The bars as safely spaced and the pine wood is “chew-friendly” (not that I condone any sort of wood-chewing activities). Lastly, the gate includes a swing door with child locks above and below the door.

A Matching Playmat

Once I chose our playpen, I still had to find a playmat to match. The floors in our downstairs living space are tile. Casey has taken off with a soccer ball in the house and tripped over it. He is a strong and fast toddler, which means his falls also come strong and fast. A chipped tooth and multiple bruises later, and here we are having this conversation about safety and containment – a conversation I never thought I would have. Did I mention I was delusional? But I knew straight-away that the playmat I wanted was going to be from House of Noa.

I already owned a kitchen standing mat from House of Noa in the Emile print and the Latte color. Their playmats, tumbling mats, and kitchen mats have gorgeously simple prints in neutral colors. Our kitchen mat is one of my favorite items so I knew I would love their playmat too. To add the element of cohesiveness between the living room and kitchen, baby stuff and adult stuff, I chose the matching print and color for his playmat. House of Noa’s playmats are spill-proof and wipeable so now his play area is easy to clean. I also wanted something that was easy to disassemble or move and this playmat is light as a feather.

An added bonus is that it’s just as versatile as the Harppababy gate. The square pieces of the mat are like puzzle pieces that fit into each other, making the shape of the mat versatile. I went with the playmat over the tumbling mat simply because the latter was thick and bulky – aka not-pretty-to-look-at. And Casey does front-forward tumbles on the playmat anyway, so the thicker padding isn’t necessary for safety.

After Adding An Esthetic Toddler Playpen to Our Living Room…

I seriously cannot believe it took me this long. What other moms so lovingly call “baby-jail” is probably one of the best investments I could have made for Casey’s development and safety. Even my mom consents to the fact that Casey is an overly active toddler. Since the day he was born, the nurses marveled at his muscle tone. Boy moms, you know. Now that I have this in my living room, I love watching him zoom and do front flips all day. He essentially has the living room to himself. So much for not letting the kids take over…

How My Esthetic Toddler Playpen Improved My Daily Life

I can do chores downstairs unhindered.
I can sit down at the coffee table and actually sip a nice hot cup of coffee.
I can read on the couch while he plays right in front of me.
I’ve regained my ability to work on my writing while he plays.
I don’t have to chase him around the house. He is exactly where I want him to be.
I don’t have to worry about him ruining the nicer things in our home or dirtying the white couch.
Sometimes he wants me to sit in the playpen with him, which is totally fine. But as long as he can see me, he doesn’t usually mind what I do.
He gets less frustrated because I am not keeping him away from all the things he wants to do.
Ultimately, I am more at peace knowing he is in a safe space.

For all the mums out there desperately hoping to keep their beautiful homes, I have to say that I didn’t feel like I sacrificed my esthetic by adding this toddler playpen. It’s all about finding balance. I still enter my living space after a long day of work and feel zen. This neutrally esthetic toddler playpen fits nicely into my beige-home esthetic. And when we host guests without kids, I can easily fold up both the gate and the playmat and store the pieces in the shoe closet. Voila! What child??

The mom never really outgrows the delusion does she? 🙂

How To Increase Home Value by 15-20% in One Week

Many people are asking about the renovation I posted on Instagram two weeks ago. In case you missed it, we added a bedroom to our home while we were away at Hawaii. We figured we might as well upgrade our home and increase our home value by 15-20% while away. With the second baby due November, our three-bedroom home could use a fourth. Mike works from home and we wanted each of our kids to have their own room while they are young and in different developmental stages. While that may sound frivolous to some, let me share why this is a good financial move for growing families who have the ability to make it happen.

The Previous Layout

When the house was built, the stairs leading to the second floor opened up a a 9 ft x 11 ft loft space. On the right is a hallway leading to three bedrooms. At the end of the hallway is a split. The master bedroom is on the left and two adjunct bedrooms are on the right. The guest bathroom is also to the right, making it easily accessible to both bedrooms.

Remember, this is a new build in Orange County, CA. The rooms are small. The smallest of them measured 10 ft x 10 ft. Despite the tiny space, the builders thought it would be best to include walk-in-closets in each room. Up until this point, we were using one of the bedrooms as Mike’s office since he works-from-home two days a week to be with Casey. It also doubles as a guest room. The other bedroom is Casey’s room. The loft was supposed to be a family room/play room upstairs.

However, as Casey became more mobile and active the loft became less safe. It faced the stairs which Casey always ran to. So we put up a baby gate. But now he can shake the baby gate so hard that it opens or comes off the wall. And nothing stops a kid from getting what they want. So we had to do what I was trying to avoid: build a play pen in our living room downstairs which is much more safe. And when we play upstairs, we keep him in his room, thereby making the loft space empty and unused. So we made it useful.

The New Layout

With the arrival of baby number two in November, we decided a better configuration would be to keep the kids rooms down the hallway away from the stairs. A single small baby gate can guard the hallway, which is more stable than our 72-inch baby gate. By adding a wall to the loft, we have made it into a private office space and guest room. At least this way, the kids won’t be bothering dad down the hallway when he works-from-home. Also, our guests can have some privacy without having to tip-toe around the house after 7 pm since they have their own wing. The last two times we had guests over, Casey woke up crying when they closed their bedroom door.

The Specs of the Project

Putting a wall up is surprisingly easy. It took one guy five days to do. We sent him a picture of what we wanted it to look like, and left the rest up to him. I hired him two weeks before our trip, and managed the project remotely from Hawaii. It was affordable. He charged us $2,200 and I paid him $2,500 for getting the project done in a short time-frame while we were on vacation. (I didn’t want Casey to be around the dust.) And he painted the wall and cleaned up the house afterwards too.

The Financial Benefits of Our House Project

Adding a fourth bedroom to the home increases home value by 15-20%. We purchased our home on September 20, 2023 at $1,075,000. This has the potential to increase our home value by $150,000. The total cost of the project was $2,500 with gratuity. At the same time, this allows our family to grow comfortable without moving. Moving homes can be costly, with a hefty fee going to realtors and taxes. At the current mortgage interest rate, it saved us money to stay at our current place.

Another financial benefit is that it gives Mike the space to work from home, thereby giving us the flexible lifestyle we intended with small children. We made a commitment to always have one parent home with the child at all times. We do this by taking turns being in office throughout the week. It’s a non-negotiable that would otherwise affect our incomes if we didn’t have the extra work-from-home space.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of things one can spend on in a home. Many of them do not add to the home’s value. But this one is a project with many financial benefits for us. I understand the layout was already ideal for a fourth bedroom. And we had the financial means and great timing to take on this project. Not everyone is so lucky. But if you have the option and ability to do so, I highly recommend considering adding a bedroom to your home. My friend is doing it by adding an ADU in their yard. Their parents are moving in to help with their kids, who are due to arrive in December. That’s another great financial investment! They save on childcare and can return to work after their leave.

Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

Our Place’s Roll Out Rack is Perfect for Small Kitchen Spaces

I will forever be championing small space solutions. I have a penchant for simple products that are beautiful but mighty. The Roll Out Rack from Our Place falls under such a category. Released only a few weeks ago, it is IMHO the best accessory Our Place has launched. It appeals to small spaces, minimalist homeowners, college students and parents alike … really anyone wishing to simplify their life. The stylish design lends to a clean result, both literally and figuratively. And it is versatile. For all these reasons, Our Place’s Roll Out Rack is perfect for small kitchen spaces.

Quality

First and foremost, may I say that I’ve owned a roll out rack before. I first saw this invention in a friend’s kitchen in 2022. I hopped onto Amazon and bought one right away. It was a rollable metal-rod contraption that was light-weight, easy to use, and affordable. But it was cheap. The metal rusted, and aside from loving its functionality, I absolutely disliked it’s aesthetics and quality. Quality sets Our Place’s roll out rack apart from the rest of the products on the market.

Packaged in a sustainable box without the frills or plastic, the first thing I noticed was its heavy weight. This isn’t a flimsy kitchen accessory. While light-weightiness has its uses, I loved the feel of the roll out rack. Stainless steel rods were covered in velvety silicone, which prevents them from rusting. It is smooth and soft to the touch. I now my delicate ceramics are safe. It came with a pink silicone sponge and two very functional baskets which can be hung on the side of the rack. For anyone working in small kitchens, you can easily roll the rack away, stack the baskets, and tuck everything underneath the kitchen sink.

Function

Even with my previously cheap roll out rack from Amazon, I have loved this extremely functional innovation. I bought it primarily to serve as a drying rack over the sink. We use the dishwasher daily but don’t run it until night-time. Meaning more precious hand-held kitchen items needed a place to dry.

I spent years immediately drying them and putting them away, but for the sake of simplifying my life, I bought the roll out rack from Amazon when we were expecting Casey’s arrival. I was attracted to it for it’s small footprint and zero real estate. I have loved that the dishes drip over the sink, no puddles in sight! Unlike drying on kitchen towels, the design allows airflow and circulation preventing that mildewy smell. And it rolls up and stores away efficiently and nicely!

But the Roll Out Rack is more than a space-saving drying rack. It also is useful for rinsing fruits and vegetables. I dry the produce directly on the rack, saving on paper towels or linens. The Our Place baskets double as colanders for washing berries and cut up fruits.

I’ve also used roll out racks as trivets. We have a small island in the center of the kitchen where I can rest pots and pans in order to clear up stove or oven space. Using the rack as a trivet protects our beautiful countertop while creating the air circulation that allows the pots and pans to cool.

Lastly, I’ve used the roll out rack when I handwash kitchen rags or towels and need them to dry. If you use eco-conscious Swedish dishcloths or dish-washing gloves, you can also dry them on the rungs of the roll out rack.

Aesthetics

Here’s a big one. It fits my beige-house-aesthetic. It even matches our beloved and recently reviewed Beast Health Blender. Yes it only comes in one color. But all the better that it’s a neutral color that works with dark and light counter-tops. It is seriously so beautiful!

All in all, I would highly recommend Our Place’s roll-out-rack. It makes for a great housewarming or wedding gift. For only $50 a piece, it’s a great kitchen upgrade that is practical and beautiful. Some links in this post are affiliate links. As always, they will generate a small commission that supports this space should you choose to buy via my links. Thank you for supporting my small space.

A Minimalist, Affordable, Powerful Blender for Tiny Kitchens

We’ve recently upleveled our blender game in the kitchen to the Beast Health Blender Mini. I can already say that this is the best kitchen appliance acquisition we have had in a long while. (Some of my past favorites were the Balmuda Toaster and Kettle and our Evermill Spice Rack.) Our previous blender was a wedding gift we received seven years ago. Right after unboxing, I chucked our stained and cracking Ninja Blender into the trash bin. The Beast Health Blender Mini knocks it out of the park on so many levels! It is a great product for tiny kitchens, busy parents, health nuts, and minimalist, aesthetically obsessed interior designers. Here are the reasons why I personally deem the Beast Health Mini Blender as one of our best kitchen upgrades.

Powerful Blending Capabilities

When evaluating kitchen appliances, it’s all about function. I used to work at Jamba Juice, a smoothie chain, and thus have an appreciation for well-made blenders. I like my smoothies thick, but not chunky. Most blenders on the market (especially the smaller ones) have horrible blending capability. The Beast Blender did not hold back on the motor. They sell three motors with varying strengths and sizes:

I personally have the mini blender, chosen for it’s small footprint, light weight, and portability. However, at half the wattage of the Beast Health’s strongest blender, the mini is way better at blending smoothies than my previous Ninja! Large frozen fruit chunks are easily conquered by the Beast Mini Blender blades. The smoothies come out smooth and velvety in texture. Say goodbye to chunks of fruit swimming at the bottom or getting lodged in the straw. I absolutely cannot imagine how powerful Beast Mode Blender is. My girlfriend who owns the Beast Mode says that it is super powerful. The con is that it is also large, heavy and bulky. It’s a trade-off I am happy to make as I am primarily using the blender for 1-2 person servings.

Quieter Motor

Despite the motor’s power, it is a fairly quiet blender. As someone who relishes the morning calm, I greatly dislike the deafening whir of a blender. My previous blender was insanely loud. I recognize technology has come a long way since then. The first thing Mike said about the blender is “It’s way quieter than the previous one.”

Honestly, this unique attribute could be the blender’s claim to fame. I remember when Mike and I wanted post-workout smoothies but Casey was sleeping in his bassinet as a baby. This blender is a great asset for all parents. No more choosing between a healthy drink and disrupting nap time!

Aesthetically Pleasing

Hands down the most modern looking blender on the market. The inner ridges that were designed into the blender to increase friction and improve function actually give the blender a luxury look. Plus Beast Health offers multiple colors depending on the blender you choose. The Beast Mini Blender has five color options. I chose Sand to fulfill my beige home dreams. Pick out your favorite color here!

Because I chose the smallest blender size, it isn’t overly bulky and doesn’t take up much counter space. It is so beautiful that I have decided to leave it out on the counter. Only a few kitchen items get this privilege in our home. The color-matching base is sleek and hides nicely behind our Google Nest hub . The power button is hidden behind the base, and there is only one button on the front face. Press the button for less than a second to pulse, and longer than a second to run a timed 1-minute blend. For anyone wanting a “pretty blender”, look no further.

Affordability

You might think that a prettier and stronger blender would cost more. However, Beast Health sells their blender at affordable prices. The Beast Mini Blender costs under $100 and the most powerful version is under $200. There is a blender option for your price range. We have the Beast Mini Blender Plus+ package. For only $20 more, you get a total of three blending vessels in the following sizes: 415mL, 530mL and 650mL. I like the variable sizes and the option to meal prep for busy mornings ahead! You also get two storage lids, a carrying lid, and a straw lid. Included are two straws and cleaning supplies. I think for $20, there is a lot of value there. By the way, all their blenders have a plus option. You can always tack on the accessories at a future date if you wish.

Minimalist and Miniature

As you may already know, my minimalist heart is leaping with joy with the Beast Mini Blender offering. Tiny home dwellers rejoice! Not that we live in an especially small home anymore. But we still have a fairly small kitchen with limited counter-space. Paired with a home-owner who has low affinity for clutter (me!).

As a petite person, I love that the Beast Mini Blender weighs at a mere 4.8 pounds, making it extremely portable around the kitchen. For those who dislike clutter or have more space limitations than me, you can even put it away in a cupboard every day. For comparison’s sake, the Beast Mode Blender weighs at 6.9 pounds and our previous Ninja blender weighed at 7.1 pounds.

Time-Saving Helper

Most important of all, having a powerful blender is a super-power for busy moms. It is a major time-saver for me. In the mornings, I can easily prep a healthy breakfast for me and Casey. Aside from morning breakfast, I can do a smoothie after a workout or in the afternoon to-go when we head to the park.

With a reliable and sturdy blender around, it is easier to be a healthy eater despite my busy schedule. I throw whole foods into my smoothies including nuts, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. For protein, Mike adds some sort of nut butter and protein powder. And all my mamas out there cannot forget the collagen. I personally have been using Thrive Market’s grass-fed collagen peptides for years. I can prep smoothies ahead of time when I know I will have limited time later as well. With all this is saving me, I can spend more of my time taking Casey on adventures outdoors.

I would highly recommend this product. This was not sponsored by Beast Health, although the product was a gift. The post contains affiliate links, which help to support this space and my work. I hope this was helpful and useful.

Casey’s Camping Themed Nursery

Seven months later, we’ve finally decided on a theme for Casey’s bedroom: Camping and the Wild Outdoors! While the space theme has swept many parents away, I wanted Casey to grow up grounded. Instead of chasing the stars, I want him to look around and appreciate Mother Earth. We are hoping that by putting an emphasis on the great outdoors, he will grow up grateful for what he has rather than look to the future all the time. I know that sounds woo-woo, but I believe there is something in teaching our children to connect to nature and the world from which we came. Wonder at the stars instead of trying to capture them. Let someone else live out the future. Be in the present. That kind of thing.

We gave a preview of his bedroom a few weekends back when we posted an Instagram Reel of the Photowall wallpaper we chose. It got an astonishing reception, piquing many of your interests. While the room is still unfinished, I decided to share with you the products we are using to create his themed bedroom. We are converting his play gym into a tent and creating a library corner so he can have a space to pore over books. We are buying those stick-on Glow In the Dark stars so he has something to stare at on those nights he has difficulty sleeping. A hot air balloon ceiling light mimics Japanese paper lanterns to remind him of his first international trip. And a Long Live Boyhood sign over his bed reminds me to cherish these fleeting moments that only last a few years more. I hope you like it!

Building a Camping Themed Nursery

+ The wallpaper

+ This Play Tent

+ A Hot Air Balloon Ceiling Light

+ Glow In The Dark Stars

+ Galaxy Projector

+ Long Live Boyhood Sign

+ This Lantern

+ Oranges Play Mat

+ This Mushroom Pouf

+ Bunting

Vitruvi’s Glow Diffuser Is A Beacon of Light for New Moms

The first few weeks of motherhood is a haze. Everyone tells you “it’s hard work”, but in my opinion, it is more akin to walking through a fog. Between mourning the loss of my previous life and navigating a new body mutilated by child-birth, it’s no wonder post-partum depression gets the attention it deserves. My soul was in transition between the death and birth of a self. Like floating somewhere in the in-between, with no direction to go. So it may sound cliche when I say that Vitruvi’s Glow Diffuser served as a beacon of light for this new mama, but do hear me out.

Vitruvi’s Glow Diffuser is exactly what every mother needs and wants for those early post-partum days. This beautiful bedside bestie is a beacon of light for nursing moms. A soft yellow glow keeps feedings calm thus allowing baby to fall right back asleep once finished. The diffuser itself keeps mama grounded with scents that remind her this is where she’s meant to be. That everything is in place, as foreign as it may feel.

Before the Glow Diffuser, I was a groggy mess in the evenings. Night-time was the darkest. Getting up was a pain. I hated the disruption of my slumber. Casey was fussy, and I was always on edge. Since introducing Vitruvi’s Glow Diffuser into my routine, my night-feedings have become much more enjoyable. The scents cut straight through the fog. Aroma therapy at its finest. And it’s as if Casey picked up on it, too! If babies can truly pick up on our emotions, then we could use a lot more zen, mamas.

The light doubles as a task light for times when Casey is sleeping in the bed-side bassinet but I am not quite ready to retire. They say sleep when baby sleeps, but sometimes what you really need is to reclaim a bit of your time. I can read a book in bed with the Glow Diffuser on my nightstand. I can also move it to my desk space on the other side of the bedroom and work. Sometimes my husband and I speak in hushed whispers about parenthood before drifting off to sleep. The light mimics romantic candlelight, perfect for relaxation and easing into bed. And if we happen to fall asleep before turning it off, then it’s no brighter than a nightlight and none of us would know any better.

Vitruvi hands down makes some of the prettiest diffusers on the market. They are elegant, timeless, and modern in that minimalist way. Their stone diffusers have taken over every influencer’s home, but for me, the Glow Diffuser is what fits in mine. It is tiny, which is perfect for our small space. It is light and portable, which is great for movement (whether that’s from room to room or for our travels). There are two possible settings: continuously running for 4 hours, or intermittently running for 8. Because of its size, it doesn’t take much water to fill the tank, and I am shocked that it lasts the full four hours run-time!

I like that the scent is strong enough to fill a corner of the room, without being over-powering. The confinement of scent is a good feature to have when there’s a baby sharing the space. I can enjoy the soothing benefits of Vitruvi’s amazing scents without overwhelming Casey’s developing senses.

Vitruvi boasts luscious oil blends, which have many benefits for mood. I would highly recommend Vitruvi’s Signature Kit. It features blended scents that encapsulates this time period in a mama’s life. Legacy blend reminds me who I was before and motivates me to reclaim parts of my previous self. Sleep blend nourishes me in the now and gets me to rest when I need to. Pacific blend gives me a taste of the outdoors when I’m stuck at home, making it easier to stay present. And Golden blend is a sneak peek of what’s to come – the beacon of light on the darkest of days.

Since being gifted the Glow Diffuser for Mother’s Day, I have felt the fog lift. The scents cut through the haze, providing me with some clarity as to my new role in his life. I’m starting to retain bits of myself while adapting to someone new. Every mama could use that. Because of this, Vitruvi’s Glow Diffuser goes on my top 5 things every newborn mammy needs.

Vitruvi is a company elevating homes with their gorgeous diffusers and luscious scents. This post was sponsored by Vitruvi who kindly gifted us their Glow Diffuser and their Signature Kit of essential oils blends. The links in this post are affiliate links from which The Debtist may receive a small commission shall you decide to purchase Vitruvi products. As always, the thoughts and opinions are my own, as well as all creative content.

Simple Things: Baby Gym

Of all the hand-me-downs I received, this eco-friendly, collapsible play gym is my favorite. I love the story behind this play gym. It was gifted to me by a high-school best-friend whose two boys have outgrown it. She packed it in her luggage on a recent visit home, along with a bag of clothes which the boys have also outgrown. To forgo luggage space whilst traveling by plane with two children is a sacrifice. Going beyond that to lug it to me meant the world.

When I thanked her profusely for making the effort, she brushed me off gracefully. She even demonstrated how to put it back together. It took her less than a minute to reassemble it in my living room. No tools required! When in folded position, it’s easy to carry by the top bar. The gym slides nicely in a crevice between the couch and the wall. A perfect tiny space solution for a tiny person like me!

One might notice one of the dangling toys feature a green ribbon. This is a result of her husband accidentally stepping on the gym and breaking the wooden ring from which the toy originally hung. Instead of chucking the gym set because of the accident, she resourcefully remedied it in her own, simple way. Mike and I also made an addition to the gym set. In the middle we hung Mike’s cousin’s hand-made macrame planter. (His cousin also made a macrame paci-holder for baby which I adore.) With this play gym, it’s easy to add and subtract hangings from the bar. The legs on either side unscrew from the rod, allowing you to slip in more dangling points of interest.

This beautiful gym looks amazing in any space. It is light, portable, and easy to disassemble. Despite the light weight, it’s sturdy too! And the wood material looks minimal but feels luxe. Since we want to teach our baby about human impact on the environment, we prefer toys and books made with wood, cardboard, or paper over plastic. Our closest friends and family know this of us. We also did not list any toys or books on our curated, minimalist baby registry, which limited the amount we received. Another of our friends gifted us these wood toys by Gathre, and this local toy shop contains other great options for new parents who wish to be mindful over their toy selection too.

I am not sure what brand this gym is, but similar ones can be found online under the brand Poppyseed. There’s this Black and Wood one at West Elm, and this all natural one at Baby List.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.

Small Space Living: Baby Carts

Creative storage solution ideas abound when it comes to small spaces. Making do with what we’ve got is kind of my forte. It is not something to brag about, per se, but I am proud none-the-less of my baby cart. In essence, I took an Ikea Nissafors pushcart that I was using as a WFH desk storage solution and remedied it into a portable, all-carrying baby dresser on wheels. Baby dressers on the market cost anywhere between $100-$1000 these days, but my baby cart sells for a mere $30! Plus, I already owned it. I consolidated my WFH items into a storage bin within our media console and called it a day. But first, let me gush about the pushcart.

What Is On the Baby Cart?

Since we are co-rooming with our baby for the first three months during our work leave, we wanted to keep the essentials in our room. This included things like newborn clothes, swaddles, reusable diapers, diaper wipes, and bathing essentials in our tiny space upstairs. Technically, we have a closet designated for his stuff downstairs, but when it comes to daily necessities, only a few truly qualify. Those few are kept on our handy cart to avoid going up and down the stairs. I envision us living almost entirely on the second floor for our entire work leave.

We have already accumulated a wide range of clothing options, socks, shoes, hats, swim suits, toys and books before baby is even born. But the months by which these correspond to his development and growth vary as well. I’ve stowed away items by 3-month segments in that designated closet downstairs for later use. We will only bring the most relevant few items to the main living space (the second floor). They just all happen to fit on the pushcart.

So what qualifies as essential? Accessories such as shoes and hats do not belong on the cart. The shoes and hats can be nabbed on the way out the door downstairs. Likewise, bathing suits do not have space in the cart. I doubt we will bring baby to the pool before three months of age anyways. Toys and books go in a bin and stow away in a corner of our space. Therefore, they also don’t need to go on the cart. Which makes me wonder, why does one need a huge dresser for a baby, honestly?

All of this curation is a natural element to small space living, but comes quite unnaturally. It took years of practice to pare down true needs from wants. But it allows us to save space and money. I consider it a frugal muscle worth working out.

Why I Love the Cart

The Ikea Nissafors cart is slim, light, and highly portable. Measuring less than 12 inches wide and 20 inches long, the cart fits perfectly in tiny nooks and crannies. I store it in our closet next to our equally slim Ikea hamper and it hardly takes up room. When we move it from room to room (say to change a diaper or change an outfit), it can post up neatly against a wall without being in the way.

I love that it has wheels as well. We can cart it to the guest bathroom by the kitchen where we plan to bathe baby in the sink using a Friday Baby soft-sink bath. We also plan to change baby either on the bed using a foldable diaper changing pad or sheet. It was the way my mum did it when she cloth-diapered us to potty training age.

The cart has seriously been a god-send in our home. It’s a variable piece that I can see myself using for a very long time. We eventually plan to sleep train our son at 4-6 months of age, which will then bring him to the nursery room downstairs. By then, he will be in the same room as his closet. With that transition, we will no longer need the baby cart upstairs, which can be relegated as a pantry shelf, a coffee cart, or general caddy.