Six Simple Tips To Keep Your Kid’s Bedroom Organized
You want your kids to learn to be self-sufficient. But when you walk into their messy bedroom, "responsible" is often the last word that comes to mind. Children can, and will, learn to take care of themselves eventually. You can help them along by making keeping their room clean just a little easier. Use these six tips to organize your child's sanctuary efficiently.
- Store Things Near a Useful Spot
Keep stuff close to where the kids will use it. For example, if your child has a desk where they like to color, keep crayons and paper in the desk drawer for easy access. Video game-loving teens and tweens should have a bin for gaming accessories near the TV and game console. Easy access will make your child more likely to put things away when storage is in arm's reach.
- Rethink the Closet
Traditional closets often have one bar to hang apparel and little else. This system leaves plenty of underutilized storage space. Consider removing the hanger bars and installing floor-to-ceiling shelving instead. Shelves create more spots to place folded clothes and storage bins. Label boxes so you can easily see what's inside. Keep a folding step ladder nearby for easy access to higher objects. Use the top shelf to store seldom-used items, like larger-sized clothing or out-of-season gear.
- Organize Clothes
Keeping dresser drawers tidy can be challenging. You spend hours washing and folding laundry, only for your precious angels to roll everything into a ball. Separating items into categories motivates children to put garments where they belong. Drawer dividers or labeled bins can help keep things in their place. Consider keeping the following clothing types together for easy grab-and-go access:
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Short-sleeved t-shirts
- Shorts
- Sweatpants
- Jeans
- Pajamas
- Underpants
- Socks
- Play clothes
- Sports uniforms
If all else fails, teach children to do their laundry. Once kids understand how much hard work goes into laundry, they may be encouraged to keep their work tidy.
- Make Space for Footwear
Looking for the perfect pair of shoes is simple when everything is visible. Each time you buy a new pair, keep the shoebox and snap a picture of the new shoes. Tape the photo and a note of the shoe size on the side of the box. Stack boxes on the closet floor or use shelves to keep everything at eye level. With the help of the pictures and sizing information, kids can quickly scan their shoe inventory.
- Purge Books
Bookshelves stuffed to the brim with old books make it difficult for kids to find what they want. Go through your book collection at least once a year and remove anything your child no longer reads or wants. While baby books can bring back sweet memories, don't feel the need to hang onto them forever. Donate old books to your local school or library. Update your bookshelf with more age-appropriate reading material. Display books with the spine facing out so you can easily see what you have. With easy access to fresh reading material, you'll encourage a lifelong reading habit.
- Don’t Stress About Perfection
Try not to make your organization system too complicated. A fussy system will discourage kids from following it. No matter how clean and organized, the room will get messy again. Keep things simple, and when there is an inevitable mess, relax and put everything back in its place. Even the best organization systems require a tweak now and then.
Raising kids is complex, and raising them in a chaotic environment only adds to the stress. By rearranging their bedroom for function and purpose, you can create a calm atmosphere for your family.
