.Guest Blogger: Creative Solutions for Storing Kid’s Toys and Clothes

Guest Blogger #93, Entry #549, June 8, 2011

Throughout the year I like to focus on kid’s storage and organization because it’s a topic that parents struggle with daily. Whether it’s trying to find creative solutions which work well for their rooms, and their little hands, or many storage ideas are expensive and not right for each homeowner.

Image courtesy of Your Decorating Hotline

Today, my Guest Blogger gives tips for finding creative solutions for storing kid’s toys and clothes.

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If you have kids, then you know that it’s a never-ending struggle trying to keep all of their things stored and organized.  So in the spirit of making your life easier, here are some storage solution ideas that will help you organize things and reduce household clutter.

Try Storage Chests and Toy Boxes

The reason these classic storage solutions have always been so popular is that they give kids something to play with as well as somewhere to put their toys. It’s like a kid’s own personal treasure chest, a box to put all their worldly possessions, and kids genuinely like using them. As an added bonus these can look right at home when situated at the end of the bed, and it also gives kids a nice place to sit.

Image courtesy of Spotlight

Stackable Plastic Containers Are A Godsend

Stackable plastic containers are wonderful for a couple of reasons.  First of all, they’re light, which makes moving them a breeze. Secondly, they’re also easy to clean and hard for kids to destroy.  Thirdly, they’re modular and stackable, so that you can adjust them as your kids grow.

Mix And Match

A great idea is to not just choose one container style, but mix and match several.  You can have some pull-out drawers, a toy chest, plastic containers and a toy shelf.  The variety makes it fun for kids and it also helps you organize.

Jars And Shoeboxes

Jars and shoeboxes work great for small things like action figures, marbles, Legos and little trinkets.  Jars have lids so that you can keep them tightly shut.  Shoeboxes are good because they’re easy to stack.  Both are made from recycled household goods, which is good for both the environment and your wallet.

Toy Shelves

Shelving is a wonderful way to display your children’s favorite toys.  This way, you can keep the toys out without it feeling like clutter.  What kid wouldn’t want to be surrounded with their favorite toys?  Take their height into consideration and make sure that the shelves are reachable. Always keep in mind that the biggest draw-back with this one is that shelves are prone to collecting a lot of dust.

Image courtesy of HGTV

Closets For Clothes

Because kids’ clothes are small, you can use two rows of horizontal rods for hanging clothes.  With two levels, you double your storage space.  You can also put their dresser in the closet and this will give them more floor space.

Let The Kids Decide

When you’re organizing their things, let them have some say in how it’s done.  Give them several options and let them choose.  When kids do their own organizing, it’s good for their sense of responsibility and self-worth.  They’ll also know where things are themselves and not ask you every time!

Image courtesy of Ohdeedoh

Watch Out For Duplicate Toys

Keep an eye for toys that seem to have an identical twin.  It’s quite easy to accidentally buy the same toy twice, but if you’ve got two, put one in a yard sale.  This will save a little bit of storage space.

Rotate Toys

Especially with smaller kids, rotate their toys.  Bring out certain ones for a while, and then swap to other ones before they get bored.  This gives you more mileage out of each toy they own, and also cuts out clutter.  Keep the other toys hidden in the attic or garage until it’s time for them to rediscover it. In this way, kids are actually a lot like kittens!

Being smart about your kids’ storage solutions can go a long way towards maximizing your available space, making things easier to put away and cutting out clutter.  Try these tips and see if they work for you. You might be surprised at just how effective they can be.

Brought to you on behalf of Attix, an Australian building company with more than 35 years experience in Attic Ladders and Attic Conversions. If you’d like to learn more, then take a look at their article on Ten Tips On Storage Solutions For All That Clutter.

For more storage ideas on Stagetecture, click here