6 Smart Tips for Keeping Your Kids’ Closets Organized
Simplify their space and make your mornings easier in the process.
The kids’ closet is the great frontier—we never know what we’re going to find! By nature of the little people who inhabit it, the kids’ closet is often a jumble of toys, costumes, clothing, school projects, games and crafts.
While the benefits of any organized space extend to the kids’ rooms, we often hear concerns that the kids will neglect the system and the space will fall apart again as soon as the work is done, therefore it’s hard to justify the effort.
To this, we say: not so!
Kids are remarkably adaptive. With the right system in place—one that meets their needs and clearly identifies what goes where—it’s entirely possible for little ones to maintain order and take responsibility for their own space. (And just imagine not having to hunt down a uniform when you’re running late or argue about the logic of wearing a sundress when it’s the middle of winter!)
Bins are your BFFs
Put labeled bins up high to help make your next seasonal swap a breeze. “Next Season,” “Next Size,” “Sell,” “Donate” and “Activity” bins help control inventory that doesn’t need to be a part of the daily rotation.
We’ve found a “Waiting” bin to be especially helpful for holding those formerly favorite items you’re ready to donate, but a child might miss. Stick a favorite top or toy into the waiting bin and if it hasn’t been requested in a month’s time, you know you can move it along. See just how we do it.
Label everything
Labels will remind your children to put things back where they belong.
We love labeling drawers, cubbies, bins and shelves.
Labeled closet dividers can help designate where hanging clothes go.
For kids who aren’t yet reading, picture labels are a fun alternative.
Make organization kid-friendly
Think of their closet by zone.
If you have young kids, consider what they can reach and make that space user-friendly (easy-to-open bins, cubbies, simple hanging storage and a hamper).
Utilize higher hanging racks and shelves for parent-controlled storage.
Empower your kids to dress themselves
At the start of each season, plan a day to clean out the closet (together or solo).
Remove anything damaged or that they’ve outgrown, pack up the items that don’t fit the season, and move in the things you’ve been saving.
By only having seasonally-appropriate clothes visible, you can give your kids the autonomy to choose what they wear. See 10 kids closets that will blow your mind.
Manage their collections
To avoid the closet becoming a catch-all, designate a spot for special collections.
Party favors, prizes and crafts go into the collection bin.
When it gets full, the child has the responsibility of choosing what goes to make room for new treasures.
This is a great intro the the 1-in-1-out rule the concept of being intentional about what we keep in our space.
Let your child add a personal touch
Children—like adults—love a space that feels like their own. Regardless of their room decor, consider letting your kids choose the paint color for their closet, pick out fun hardware or hang that random poster they brought home from the Book Fair. Everything tucks away at the end of the day, but brings a smile to their faces when they see it. Nerf gun walls are always a popular option!
Do you have a hack for keeping your kids’ closet organized? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed these tips and want to up your organizing game, check out our new Gracefully Organized virtual series. Organizing 101 is included with every course and it’s packed with all the details on how our team organizes any space!
