Gear setup for apartment living with newborn

Dec 231 min read

Moving to a 2-bed apartment in Denver in 3 weeks and need advice on minimizing baby stuff. Currently in a house with his own room, but new place is tight. We're looking at:

Graco Pack n Play for his room instead of full crib
Diaper station upstairs only
Maybe getting rid of the changing table and using dresser + pad

Any other apartment dads do something similar? What did you miss or not miss? Kid is 3 months so we're setting up now.

8 comments435 views

Comments(8)

HHector R.RegularDec 23

Pack n Play is solid for tight spaces. We did the same transition to a 1-bed apt when my second was born. One thing we learned: you don't need as much as you think. That changing table? Mounted one on the wall above the dresser instead.

CCarl S.RegularDec 25

How old is the kiddo? That matters for what you actually need vs what everyone tells you to buy. Four months vs. newborn is a big difference.

JJerome S.RegularDec 24

Going from house to apartment is real. Skip the dresser if you can—use hanging organizers on the closet rod instead. Takes up zero floor space and honestly easier for diaper changes.

WWill R.RegularDec 24

Denver + apartment living = good call downsizing. What about the dresser situation? We found a narrow 3-drawer worked better than a full changing table. Also, vertical storage is your friend - wall shelves for diapers, wipes, etc.

SSam T.New DadDec 24

We downsized to a 2-bed when our second was born. What actually helped: one closet for all baby clothes (not a whole dresser), wall-mounted shelving instead of standalone furniture, and being ruthless about toys. The stuff multiplies otherwise and suddenly your living room is a obstacle course.

FFrank T.RegularDec 24

Honest take: you'll still have too much stuff even trying to minimize. But the Pack n Play + a solid dresser combo covers most bases. Keep the car seat base accessible though—don't nest it somewhere. You'll hate yourself if you do.

PPete L.RegularDec 25

Your post cut off mid-sentence but here's what helped us: 1) Consolidate baby items into bins under the crib, 2) Skip the separate play area, use a small tummy time mat you can fold up, 3) Wall-mounted drying rack for bottles instead of a counter one. Tight spaces force you to be efficient which is kinda nice.

TTyler K.RegularDec 25

Pack n Play is essential in a smaller space. It functions as crib, changing station, and actual play area so you're not buying separate furniture. For Denver specifically, the dry air is brutal on newborn skin so grab a cheap humidifier—game changer.