The 3 a.m. layout test.

The pieces

Placement rules that aren't style choices

• Crib away from windows, blind cords, and heat vents — the standard safety guidance, and it decides more layouts than taste does. A crib against the one wall with no window is the win.
• 24″ of clear approach along the crib's working side — you'll make that approach holding the entire reason for the room.
• The 3 a.m. path: door → glider → crib with nothing to shin. Walk it on the plan; your future self is doing it in the dark.
• Changing table within arm's reach of storage — one hand stays on the baby, always; the supplies come to you.
• Think in two layouts: crib now, toddler bed at the same footprint later — if the room only works one way, it still works.

Does it fit in a 10 × 10?

Comfortably. Crib (30 × 55) on the windowless wall, glider and ottoman (30 × 34 + rocking room) in the corner, dresser-with-pad (48 × 18) on a third wall — with 24″ approaches held, a 10 × 10 takes all three with floor to spare for the playard. The squeeze comes from the closet and door swings, which is exactly what the plan shows and the furniture list doesn't.