It’s no secret that children can make a mess—and tackling a cluttered kids bedroom might feel overwhelming. However, organizing your kid’s room can keep things tidy, free up space for play, create a comfortable environment for your child to thrive in, and more. Here are the best tips for how to effectively organize and declutter a kids room!
Determine Organizational Goals & Needs
Before decluttering, assess your goals and needs. Consider which parts of your child’s bedroom will require significant organizational help and which areas might just need a bit of tidying up. Whether you’re wanting to improve your toy storage and organization methods, declutter and donate old clothes, or do a total revamp—knowing your focuses can help you figure out the best organizational solutions. After crafting your vision for the room, take inventory of the storage solutions you already have, then note down any additional items you may want to get.
Get Your Kids Involved
It’s common for little ones to develop an emotional attachment to their belongings. Decluttering toys and games, in particular, can be a bit more difficult for kids, as they might have developed strong attachments—even to those they don’t play with anymore. Invite your kids to participate as you declutter their space, and give them some say over what stays and what goes to show you respect and trust them. Involving them in this process is a great opportunity to teach your kids how to be organized and let go of things they no longer use!
Make Decluttering Fun
Decluttering with kids can sometimes be a challenge—if you’re struggling to get them excited about tidying up their rooms, try turning decluttering into a fun game! Turn on some upbeat music, set a timer, and see how many items they can sort into labeled boxes before the time runs out. Create a decluttering bingo card with tasks on it like “pick ten toys to donate” or “pick up all the books on the floor,” and end with a reward. If you have several kids, see who can put away toys the fastest! There are all sorts of ways to make decluttering fun for kids—just remember to take breaks so no one gets overwhelmed.
Categorize Your Child’s Belongings
In order to effectively declutter your kid’s room, you need to know where to put all the items you’re sorting through. Decluttering methods like the Four Box Method can be helpful for deciding what needs to be thrown away, sold or donated, stored, or put away. Tackle one room at a time to avoid burning yourself out. Once you’ve cleared out the things you’re definitely not going to keep, you’ll have an easier time sorting through the remaining items. Categorize what’s left into more specific groups based on their purpose, such as toys, books, clothes, school and craft supplies, and more. This will provide a clearer idea of what needs to be organized, which items have duplicates, and what’s no longer being used.
Donate Items with Care
Once you’re finished decluttering, it’s time to tackle the “donate” pile. Donating any clothes, toys, books, or craft supplies that your child no longer uses or wants will not only help you get organized, but also create an opportunity for your items to be used by someone in need. If you’re not sure where to donate unneeded items, neighbors, schools, daycares, homeless shelters, and charities are great places to start. Before giving any toys away, be sure to check for damages.
Create a Multifunctional Space with Zones
Setting up zones is a top childrens bedroom organization idea as it strikes an effective balance between functionality and fun. Zones help you arrange your child’s room based on how they’ll use the space—which, in turn, provides “homes” for their clothes, toys, books, and more. Creating different stations can be especially useful when it comes to organizing shared rooms. The simplest method is to set up three zones:
- Zone #1: Leisure (e.g., sleeping, reading, dressing, etc.)
- Zone #2: Play (e.g., toys, games, puzzles, etc.)
- Zone #3: Learning (e.g., crafts, school supplies, etc.)
To help make the zones clear, try defining them with decor—like laying down a rug or using wall decorations to establish boundaries. When kids know where things are supposed to go, they’re more likely to put their belongings away on their own, which can make the decluttering process less of a hassle in the future!
Tidy Up Closets & Dressers
Clothes can be a huge source of clutter—that’s why one of the quickest ways to revamp your child’s bedroom is to focus on closet organization. Optimize dresser organization by file-folding clothes, which makes garments more visible while also saving space. Figure out which clothes no longer fit so they can be stored as hand-me-downs or donated. Reduce more clutter and maximize space by using clear plastic bins or garment bags to store winter clothes during warmer weather, and vice versa. Boost your kid’s clothes organization by adding a second rod to maximize hanging space. Use over-the-door organizers or other shoe storage solutions. Need more floor space? Move your child’s dresser into the closet if it’s large enough!
Utilize Vertical Storage Solutions
Whether you’re converting nursery shelves or installing new ones, vertical storage is great for organizing kids rooms while maximizing space. Install floor-to-ceiling shelving for toys, books, and decor—store toys that require adult supervision up high, and leave the items your kids will grab most frequently within their reach. Utilize labeled bins, tubs, and baskets to further organize the shelves. And keep wall hooks available for items that often come and go, such as coats, hats, and bags.
Organize Toys & Games
The best toy organization and storage systems make it easy for your child to locate their items—and put them back when they’re done. Consider playroom storage ideas such as cubbies to keep toys and games neat and easily accessible. Clear, open bins, sliding bins with labels, and stackable pantry bins with open fronts are other great options. Get creative with kids toy storage by hanging swings for stuffed animals. Use a rolling cart to house small items like books or games. You can also introduce a toy rotation system to help your child’s room stay organized and free of clutter year round!
Incorporate Kid’s Storage Ideas Into Decor
There are many childrens room storage ideas that blend in seamlessly with the decor of their space. Using multipurpose furniture—like bed frames with built-in drawers, headboards with shelving, and decorative toy boxes—are all fantastic hidden storage ideas. Under-bed storage drawers are ideal for items you may not reach for often, like seasonal clothing and extra bedding. You can even put your kid’s favorite items on display on low floating shelves or atop dressers. These solutions can maximize kids bedroom storage without having to take up additional floor space.
Have a Consistent Cleaning Routine
As your child continues to develop their organizational skills, you’ll probably need to help them clean their room periodically. To help reinforce good cleaning habits, set a time each day to clean up small messes or perform little maintenance tasks for each zone. One great tip is to create a consistent schedule or make cleaning up toys and other items a part of their bedtime routine. In addition, consider blocking out time every few months for a larger declutter. Children grow quickly, so the changing seasons are a great opportunity to cycle out outgrown clothes and other items they won’t need or use come the next season.
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