Organising Children's Rooms

Friday, 17 June 2016 05:52

We are currently in the process of organizing a client’s home from top to toe. This week we tackled the children’s rooms and as we worked I thought about the ongoing problem of keeping children’s rooms organised. Here are some hints and tips that I have found helpful when organizing kid’s spaces:

Always get your children involved

The first mistake mom’s make is to clear, sort, toss and organise a child’s room when they are not there. It’s important that children are involved in the process, help to make decisions regarding what goes and what stays, and are introduced to the systems that are put in place to keep it organised. With their input see what is currently working, what isn’t, what’s causing the problem and what is important to the child. This way your children feel included, they are not afraid that their treasures will disappear and they will be more likely to maintain a system they have been involved in!

Look at the space from their point of view

Look at your child's space, storage, furniture and possessions from his or her vantage point. Always make it easy for the child to find things, and put them back where they belong. Lots of hooks at their height, open baskets or containers, drawers open and close easily.

Keep it simple

Do not have things in their rooms that don’t belong there. Mom’s extra clothes, spare linen or camping gear do NOT belong in a child’s bedroom. Have out of season clothes, or clothes they are growing into, right at the top. Keep the clothes that are in regular use where they are easily accessible. Contain socks, undies and smaller items in baskets or drawers. Have hanging items within the child’s reach.

Label, label, label

Your best organizing tool: label absolutely everything. Inside and outside of drawers, on the shelf edges and on plastic storage containers, on boxes and bookcases and baskets. For smaller children, use big, bright pictures.

Toys and books

Contain toys and other belongings before you store. Use clear plastic containers for smaller toys, larger lidded bins for blocks, trucks and cars, light-weight cardboard records boxes for stuffed animals. Have a bookshelf with wide shelves for books higher up and the containers further down.

Memory boxes

Have a memory box for each child where they can keep their most treasured items. That way the treasures are contained and kept safe. The key is to have them go through it regularly and let go things that are no longer important TO THEM!

Finally, and probably the most important tip

Have a maintenance routine.

Encourage them to clear away, put away and tidy up every day.

Schedule a regular letting go session, perhaps before their birthday or before their summer holidays.