5 Tactics To Organize Your Child's Bedroom
A clean and orderly bedroom saves time (“Where is my pink sweater??!?”), is easier to keep clean (no piles of clothing to move before dusting or vacuuming), and is healthier all around (less dust, less chance you'll find creepy crawlers in that increasing pile of clothing in the corner!) For parents, it's also about setting a good example and teaching children organization skills that will serve them well into adulthood. Here are 5 straightforward habits and tips that can help transform your child's bedroom from chaotic to composed.
Daily Habits for a Tidy Bedroom
The foundation of a consistently neat bedroom – and all rooms! – lies in daily habits that prevent messes from building up. Here's how to make tidiness a routine in your child's bedroom:
Make the bed daily
It doesn't have to be perfect. Even if your child pulls up the sheets and blanket, it's a start. Just making the bed daily is a great place to start helping them form good habits.
Declutter before bedtime
Adopt a nighttime routine, along with washing up and brushing teeth. Everything that is out of place – on the floor, tossed on the bed, etc., is put away. If food is allowed in the bedroom, then no dirty dishes, glasses, cups, water bottles, etc. should be kept in the bedroom overnight.
Make a Place for Everything
Every item in your child's bedroom should have a designated place. If an object doesn't have a home, it's time to either find one or consider letting it go. Follow a grouping system where all similar items are kept together. For instance, all stuffed animals can be arranged on the bed or in a basket, books can go in a bookcase, and LEGOs can live on a shelf. Having a system where everything has a designated place makes locating items a breeze and adds a sense of orderliness. Your child shouldn't leave items under the bed, in a drawer or on the floor because she doesn't know where to put them. Everything should have a home.
Utilize Storage Solutions
- Jewelry organizer. To keep small necklaces, earrings, bracelets and watches neat, consider jewelry organizers. There are some great options for the top of the bureau, or, if space doesn't allow, wall-mounted.
- Wall hooks Bags can easily spiral into a disorderly pile. Belts can end up in a snake-like mass on the floor. Hang them on a wall hook instead. There are some great decorative options for wall hooks in kids' rooms. Wall hooks are a fun and engaging way to inspire kids to keep their spaces tidy.
- Under-Bed Storage Utilize space-saving options like under-bed storage for seldom-used items.
- Multifunctional Bedside Tables Opt for bedside tables that offer additional storage (drawers/cabinet doors/shelves).
- Charging Station Lamps: Choose bedside lamps with built-in charging outlets to keep devices organized and reduce clutter.
- Closet and Drawer bins Like items can be grouped together in bins. Put underwear, socks, flipflops, scrunchies and headbands, baseball caps, etc. into individual bins to keep them organized. Have loads of stuff that your child is not ready to part with? Label the bins to make it easier to put away and to find.
Seasonal Clean-ups
Regularly involve children in going through their possessions and deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or discard—this clears space and teaches decision-making. If your child is a clutter-bug and tends to collect things, make a rule that when something comes into their room (new toy, more clothing, crafts, etc.) that something has to leave their bedroom.
Conclusion
Transforming your children's bedroom into a tidy and organized space is a rewarding and feasible goal if taken a step at a time. With a touch of creativity, a bit of planning, and a little patience, your child will be able to create and maintain her own tidy and comfortable space.