We’ve seemingly ALL been hit with insane and unpredictable weather at some point in time (Snowmageddon, anyone?!). And during that time, kids’ closets become a total disaster! If you can’t remember where you tucked away the shorts last fall, and it’s your third or fourth time trying to help hunt down a specific jacket, then it’s apparent that it is time for a closet refresh. The good news? I LOVE a closet makeover! If your children’s closets are in similar despair and you could use some tips for effectively reorganizing them, you’re certainly in the right place!

Consider your starting point a simple closet “edit”. Pull absolutely everything out of the closet so you’re working with a fresh, clean canvas. Sort your child’s items into the following categories:

• Keep
• Donate
• Hand-me-down
• Dispose

Don’t hold back! Get rid of anything your child has outgrown, or they won’t wear (it’s itchy, they dislike, etc.). This will free up space for new clothing! But be sure not to bring in more than you purge; it’s easier to keep things tidy and easily maintained if the number of items being stored isn’t constantly increasing!

You will thank yourself if you do some planning before simply re-adding items back into the closet at random. Plan the space out and consider important things such as your child’s height. A general rule of thumb is “if they can’t reach it, they won’t put it away!” Adjust the rods and shelves within the closet (if able) to accommodate your children’s heights and use lower shelves or labeled bins so they can pull out and put away items themselves.

Determine if there are items currently in a dresser that can be moved into the closet or into bins. Use higher shelving for seasonal clothing/items or clothing sets that don’t yet fit, etc. If there isn’t room in the closet to store these types of items, consider other areas with storage potential (such as under the bed)! If you have the closet space, I also highly recommend including a “ clean, but not put away” bin. This makes putting away laundry easier and prevents piles of clothes laying around on the floor or bed.

Labels are always going to help reduce the confusion of trying to remember or figure out where an item goes, so they’re especially important in spaces for children! Label everything – even if they can’t read yet!! Use words with pictures (such as the word “shirt” + a shirt icon, etc.) to make it easier for them to identify.

Closets work better with open bins, cube containers, and shallow drawers. Use clear and open bins so they can clearly see what is inside each one – this also works great for those kiddos with ADHD (clear bins = less dumping out)! Organize bins by category: school clothes, play clothes, sports (organized by sport if they play multiple), pajamas, etc.

File-fold items so kids can see everything. Only keep items that are needed “right now” in daily reach for the child. Aim for the space to remain only 70-80% full so that there is space to grow; a closet at 100% capacity will likely never stay neat!

To prevent items from stacking up on the floor or dresser top, have a “landing zone”. Hooks or a small basket are great for items such as backpacks, hoodies, tomorrow’s outfits, etc. It is also helpful if you have the space for a “donate” bin. Encourage your child to add items to the bin in situations like the following:

• If clothing is feeling a little snug? In the bin!
• They have an item they don’t want anymore? In the bin!
• Found a tear, stain, or issue with an item that needs attention? In the bin!

Creating a regular tidying schedule will help children develop healthy organization habits. Establish a 5-minute “weekly reset” checklist and set a timer to prevent your child from getting off course during this focused time. Have them pick up their own clothes found lying around, put clean items into the correct bins, etc.

Once a month, have a purge day where you go through the closet with your kiddo to check for anything they’ve outgrown, ripped/torn, or stained. Treat, repair, or purge these items accordingly.

Pro tip: Make it fun! Whenever you are able, create a fun game or race. This is especially motivating if they have siblings! See who can get their space reset the fastest and have small rewards for whoever wins that week. Making it fun and having set days on your calendar to reset or purge will help eliminate meltdowns, as you won’t have to be on them daily to tidy their closet.

Building healthy habits now and making the system sustainable will help them as they grow and age. Explain to your child why you placed items in a certain location or why you made the choice to put items into bins vs. hanging them. This will allow them to learn and help them develop good organizational skills by following your lead. If you have a particularly stubborn Pig-Pen child, know your kiddo’s ADHD may cause an extra hurdle, or if you’d simply like a professional’s help because kids often tend to listen to others better than they listen to their parents…call us in for backup! Our inbox is always open, and we’d love to help with your closet makeovers.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Tonia