When our baby started growing, moving, and becoming more aware of his environment, we had to change some things.
I realized that our living room was not set up for him.
We had a large TV console, décor pieces, and furniture that I loved… but it didn’t support the way he was beginning to explore our home.
Slowly, we started letting things go. We made some shifts that made more sense for this stage of life.
And one of the biggest changes we made was clearing out some sections. We removed our TV console to create a space that was now meant for our baby.
We ended up having a really successful yard sale and sold the console along with a few other furniture pieces, knick-knacks, clothes, and even a large mirror that had been leaning against our wall. It felt good to clear the space physically and mentally as we made room for our baby.
I didn’t want to create a perfectly styled room. I wanted to focus on space, access, and safety.
So we started clearing things out.
We created an open floor space where he could move freely, reach for toys, and explore without us constantly redirecting him.
Research around Montessori-style spaces shows that simple, accessible environments help babies develop independence, confidence, and focus because they can move and explore freely on their own terms.
And that’s exactly what we started to see.
Letting go of some pieces gave us the space we needed to bring in his tiny furniture.
A small chair, a low bookshelf, toy wardrobe, a play kitchen, and simple toys. We created a space that supports how we are living now instead of having bulky furniture.
The string lights are my favorite and they make the area feel warm and inviting for both of us, even though we try to keep things simple and uncluttered so he can focus on exploring.
You may notice the TV in this space, but we keep it off while our baby is awake. The area during his wake windows remains focused on toys, books, and lots of tummy time.
Placing his play space in the living room made such a difference. He can play while I’m in the kitchen and I don’t have to constantly run back and forth between rooms.
Family naturally gathers in the living room. Instead of someone going into his room to play with him, we all come here — sitting on the floor, reading books, playing together.
I know this setup won’t be forever. One day, the living room will look different again. Furniture will come and go. But this season is soshort, and being close, present, and connected matters more to me than keeping things the way they used to be.
I’ve come to really love making space for our baby — shaping our home around who he is becoming. It’s helped all of us slow down, connect more, and grow together. It feels like the most meaningful thing I can do right now.
Below I’ve linked the main pieces we use in this space in case you’re creating something similar. We’ve kept everything simple, functional, and easy to move — pieces that can grow with him as he does.