31 Days to a Clutter Free Life: Kids Closet (Day 18)

Day 18: Kids Closet

Just as your master closet, kids’ closets can come in many shapes and sizes. Adding to the variables is the fact that, like their closets, kids shapes and sizes are ever changing as well. At times it feels like kids can grow out of clothing as quickly as you buy it—not to mention stains, tears and taste in styles that change nearly as frequently.

A component of organizing is shopping wisely and planning ahead. Kids’ closets are a prime example of this. Purchasing mix and match solid basics in wrinkle-free materials can help kids take an active role in not only planning their own outfits but in organizing and cleaning up after themselves. Not only that, but by purchasing smart easy-care fabrics, quality classic pieces, and separates that can work with in many combinations, you can get a lot of life out of children’s clothing.

Enlisting your kids in the process of organizing their closet can be really fun. Ask them to try on items and get their opinions on what they like to wear. Purchase nice hangers, and limit children to the amount of clothing that fits on their hangers. Don’t keep things that you are holding onto out of guilt or obligation, or because they were a gift. Allow these types of items to have new life by passing them on to consignment or Goodwill shops.

 Objective: A kid’s closet that is organized, accessible to them and filled with items they like to wear and feel good in.

Assess the current situation: What does your child feel most comfortable in? What fits, is free from wear, tear, stains and other damage? Can items be worn in several ways and with other pieces? How can items be arranged in a way that makes it easy for your child to access?

Assignment:

 1. Remove and put away any items that belong in other rooms. If necessary, use a basket to collect items, then distribute them to their proper homes.

 2. Sort and declutter. Go through clothing one piece at a time and divide into initial “keep,” “discard” and “maybe” piles.

Keep only items that:

• Fit well and are age-appropriate
• Your child likes and will wear
• Are easy to care for and mix well in your child’s wardrobe

 Do not keep items that:

• No longer fit
• You are holding onto out of guilt
• Your child does not like or feels uncomfortable in
• Cannot be worn in multiple outfits

 3. Organize your child’s shoes. Keep what fits comfortably and is in good repair. Wipe off the bottoms with a damp towel and put them into a shoe rack or shelf so each pair has its own spot.

 4. Reassess the piles. Have your child try on the “keep” and “maybe” pile items to eliminate anything that does not properly fit.

 5. Hang. Hang items by type, length and color into rows that can be easily reached by your kid. (You may need to move a closet bar down for frequently used items.)

 6. Fold. Sort knits and separates into dresser drawers or on closet shelves, neatly folded and organized by color and type (jeans with jeans, t-shirts with t-shirts, etc.). Socks and underwear can be separated into clear plastic bins and rolled or organized into a drawer. Keep enough for a two-week rotation, getting rid of anything that is stained, worn out, or no-longer fits.

 7. Create a laundry solution. Provide a ventilated hamper, basket or bin in or near the closet to help your child store laundry (rather than discarding it on the floor). Help your child take an active role in deciding where the hamper will go and what they think would work best.

 

1. Neat & Tidy Nursery (EasyClosets.com)

2. Princess Packed Closet (ContainerStore.com)

3. Kid-Friendly Closet Ideas (BHG.com)

4. Within Reach(BHG.com)

5. Introduce Order (MarthaStewart.com)