Having children is one of the most exciting of adulthood’s milestones. You’re going to have a kid! Hurray! Children are fun, adorable, and they make it so that life is never boring. But man, oh man, do they come with a lot of stuff. We all have that friend - you know the one - whose house is a minefield straight out of Babies ‘R Us with toys, walkers, bouncy seats, squeaky giraffes, and assorted baby STUFF all over the place. The reality is that a lot of new parents selling a home, or just moving into their “starter home” - if they own one - are not able to free up tons of space for truckloads of baby gear. Turning your home office into a nursery is one thing; trying to turn your living room into a closet for everything on your gift registry is an (impossible) other. Believe it or not, babies don’t need all the baggage that people tend to buy for them. And if you are selling a home during this transition into having your first child, you have to juggle the priorities of maintaining an "open-house' ready environment. So, to have a showroom worthy house when living with a new baby, focus on what baby NEEDS instead of all the other miscellaneous stuff, your home (and your real estate agent) will thank you.
Best Baby Sleeping Arrangements While Selling a Home
First of all, babies need a crib. If you will be cosleeping, change this to a bassinet or cosleeping attachment to your bed. Add some fitted sheets - maybe 5 or 6 so that you aren’t stressed by laundry in the event of frequent diaper explosions. That’s IT. All the ruffled bedskirts, tufted bumpers, plush lovies, and millions of blankets are not only unnecessary, but they are actually dangerous for a newborn and they create more clutter that you have to store when potential home buyers are surveying your closets and such.
Baby Gear Worth Storing in Your Home
Secondly, decide how you are going to tote baby around. Stroller, baby-wearing, or both? (This is an area where you are allowed to go with more than just the bare minimum.) You will need to choose an option or options that make sense with your lifestyle and also the space you have for storage in your home. Do you ride the bus or train to get around? You probably don’t need or want a bulky stroller to contend with. If you don’t have a car, you don’t need a car seat. If you live in the suburbs, however, you may want to go with a stroller that the infant seat plugs into so that you don’t disturb baby when she falls asleep in the car. Do your research, and spend lots of time trying out strollers and/or carriers at the store. If you have friends with kids, ask their opinion - and borrow their stuff! - before making a decision. Also, only buy items as you need them. There is no reason to buy that booster seat now when your baby will be riding in an infant carrier for the first months. Save the space and buy it as you need it, and when you've already moved into your next home.
How Many Baby Clothes Constitute Clutter?
Lastly, let’s talk about clothes. Baby clothes are the number one kiddo space-waster, and that’s because your average new parent buys so many of them. All your newborn needs is a week’s worth of onesies (or vests, if you live across the pond) and some layering basics like footed sleep pants, leggings, and a couple of sweaters to keep them toasty. If you want a few cute outfits for pictures, get hand-me-downs from family and friends, or buy them secondhand. Use restraint. Babies grow quickly, and you’ll soon be drowning in too-small togs.
Bringing home baby need not require that you clutter your home. When you're preparing your house to sell, remember that baby has to fit into this current house, not the next one—don't buy items you plan to store in your future (and possibly larger new home), or you will clutter your space and potentially turn away home buyers. Use some common sense when stocking your home for your little one, and you will find that you need a lot less than you think.
