Organize Bedroom (Kids)

This page explains how to organize a bedroom for kids. Just like adults, children need a place of their own to relax and unwind. It must be a comfortable, safe and fun place. Organize the room in such a way that it is functional and easy for your child to keep it clean. Also children are growing and evolving constantly. It is important to keep this in mind when you organize a bedroom for them.

If you haven’t read my article on tips yet, I strongly suggest you read it before you begin organizing any of the rooms. That article will help you get through these tasks a whole lot easier and keep your results once you are done.

It could be daunting to organize a bedroom for kids. So have realistic expectations and goals. Don’t set yourself up to failure. Split tasks into small chunks, so you can complete them in a reasonable amount of time and make progress. Set time limits (1 to 2 hr maximum) for each session of work. Do what you can in that time limit and stop. Then, wait for the next day or weekend, otherwise you will be exhausted. Looking at what you have accomplished and enjoying it will keep you inspired and motivated. Decide whether to involve the kids when you organize the bedroom for them. Usually if they work for something they would want to maintain the results of their labor.

Begin to organize the bedroom by clearing items in open areas as explained in article Home Organization Tips (when you begin). Separate them into five categories and appropriately arrange them as explained. As you do this, categorize “Keep Here” further into groups – clothing, books, toys etc. Then as you go through the rest of the room and find things you are going to keep, place them in the appropriate groups. This will help you a lot when you are putting things back since the sorting is already done.

Depending on the age, basic furniture in this room could be a crib, mattress on a bed or on rails, nightstand(s), lamp(s), changing table and a comfortable chair.

Furniture can be expensive. So when buying furniture for babies consider those that can grow with your baby. For example, a crib that can be converted to a toddler bed and then to a single bed. Similarly instead of a changing table, use a dresser or a desk. You can convert a desk or dresser into a changing table by using a changing table converter top or a changing pad that can be secured to any flat surface with harnesses or screws. These are very economical (costs under $30) instead of a changing table that costs a minimum $70. A desk can also work as a nightstand later on. A desk could work as a vanity area by pacing a mirror above it. Having multi purpose furniture is necessary when you organize a bedroom, especially if the room is small. Using small bookcase(s) as nightstand(s) will provide extra storage for books, toys and clothes.

If your desk has storage, you can keep changing essentials like diapers, baby wipes and diaper rash creams, after bath necessities like baby lotions, Q- tips etc. there for easy access. For older children use it to store books, magazines, school/arts supplies etc.

If the desk does not have storage, you can get a plastic cart with drawers (costs under $25) that can be kept underneath the desk to store these items. You can also install a shelf above the desk and store changing and after bath supplies in baskets, or books on it.

Keep a diaper pail or wastebasket underneath the desk. Also Keep a hamper in the closet or in the bedroom and encourage kids to put dirty clothes in it. The goal is to have a place for everything and everything in it's place when you organize the bedroom.

If using a dresser, assign drawers for changing and after bath supplies and clothes. Keep a diaper pail or waster basket next to the dresser.

Keeping every thing in need within reach is helpful and also very important because you should never leave a baby unattended even when he/she is strapped in. Safety is the most important aspect when you organize a bedroom for children.

Closet

Since closet is also part of the bedroom, organizing it is necessary when you organize the bedroom.

Divide clothing into categories like tops, bottoms and dresses or Onesies. Tops can again be arranged by sleeve length like no sleeves, half sleeves, full sleeves etc. Keep like colors together. Group similar items together like one piece outfits or body suits, dresses, two piece outfits like shorts, skirt, pants and matching/coordinating tops. Longer length tween/teen apparel like pants, skirts and dresses can be folded over a hanger.

For tween/teen clothing use slim line cascading hangers to maximize closet space especially when two or more children are sharing the room. These hangers are only a quarter of an inch thick and have a velvety coating that prevents garments from slipping. They cost about 60 cents to a dollar per hanger and are available at department stores and supermarkets. They are relatively expensive compared to plastic hangers but the benefits outweigh the cost. Also buy suit hangers instead of shirt hangers so that you can use it for tops or bottoms or both.

If you have a closet with one closet rod and a shelf above, you can cascade up to 5 hangers. This way you can hang at least 5 pieces of clothing in about an inch. By using suit hangers you can even double this by using 1 hanger for both bottom and its matching/coordinating top.

Even though these slim hangers are available for smaller kids, you don’t need to spend money on them since you only need them for a few years. Just use the hangers that come with the outfit.

Use the shelf above the rod to store extra diapers and wipes. Also if space is limited in the bathroom you can store baby bathtub here along with a tote filled with baby bath needs like washcloths, body wash or soap, shampoo etc.

Fold and stack sleepwear, and apparel you cannot hang like sweaters, on the shelf. Also use the shelf to store small items like socks, underwear, accessories etc. grouped together in clear boxes, baskets or totes. These containers can be stacked to optimize space.

Out of season clothes can also be stored on the shelf. To maximize space, use space saver bags. These reusable bags compress when the air inside is taken out using a vacuum cleaner. They are available in a variety of different sizes and shapes. Manufactures of these bags claim that they are airtight, watertight, mold, mildew, bug and odor proof.

You can also use hanging accessory shelves for sleepwear, socks, underwear etc. They come in 6, 8 or 10 shelves and with or without drawers. These can be hung from the closet rod. These maximize space by using the vertical space. If children are sharing a bedroom, use this to divide the closet. Assign shelves according to the child’s height.

Categorize toys into groups like stuffed animals, cars, dolls, action figures, puzzles, building toys, books etc. Assign boxes or totes for each group and label them using photos of the toys for easy identification. Keep them on the floor inside the closet for easy access. Smaller and lighter boxes can be stacked to optimize space. If you have a separate playroom only keep toys they play with often in the bedroom.

You can also use storage cubes for toys, which could double as extra seating later on when having friends over.

Use the floor space for shoes or backpacks when toy storage is not needed. If you need more shoe storage use shoe racks or an over the door shoe organizer.

Useful tips when you organize a bedroom for kids:

Touch lamps or lamps with on/off switch on the base or with pull tabs will be convenient for children.
Sell or donate clothing and toys the kid’s have outgrown when you buy new ones.
Always anchor furniture to the wall to prevent tipping.
Keep toys with small parts, beads, scissors, paint etc. which require adult supervision out of reach of children.
Install a tension shower curtain rod a few inches higher than the child’s height as a temporary closet rod for toddlers.
Reuse baby wipes containers for small toys, doll accessories, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks/glue, hair accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, toiletries etc. Group like items together and use separate containers for each group.
Reuse large diaper/baby wipes boxes or shipping boxes for toys and books.
Encourage them to put items in their designated locations like drawers, shelves etc., and to put back the toys they are done playing with before taking another one. Doing this will be more manageable than picking up everything in the end when they are tired. Also, this way your children will learn to keep everything organized.

Your children will like the new look of their rooms. More than that, they will learn to be organized. This is a great habit to have as they grow to be responsible adults. Teach them to maintain it.

Return from Organize Bedroom (Kids) to Organize by Room

Back to Main Site