Kid's Bedrooms... how to get Organized
Kid's Bedrooms - Fun and Organized Can Coincide
A challenge every family with children faces is keeping the kids' bedrooms organized. Between toys, clothes and school things, it can seem impossible. However, there are ways to get the kids' things organized and have fun at the same time. There are many styles of storage units available. Bright colors and cartoon characters from your child's favorite show is sure to be a hit. By combining different units, you can have a place for everything.
There are many different styles of storage. There are the standard under-the-bed boxes, storage that can be hung on the wall or doors, or closet organizers. First, you need to decide what kind of storage will work best, not only for the amount of stuff in the room, but the age of the child as well. Once you decide what type of storage you need, let the kids help choose the style.
Once the new storage is purchased, this can be a time to rearrange the bedroom. Let the kids have a say in how they would like their room (within reason, of course). By being involved, it gives them a sense of ownership and makes them more likely to want to keep things nice.
To help your child get the dirty laundry organized, one of the simplest ways is to set up a basketball hoop above an open hamper. By attaching one to the wall above the hamper, clean up turns into a game. There are hoops that have suction cups, so you can attach it to any smooth wall and not damage it.
Many things that are designed for storage in a child's room serve a dual purpose. There are desk and chair sets that have storage in the desk and the chair. There are also seats that have a cushion attached to the lid of a round barrel-like container. The container is perfect for stuffed animals or other large toys, and gives the child a comfy place to sit while reading or relaxing.
A cute storage unit is the collapsible bin. These are fabric bins built around a large spring that can collapse into a flat circle for easy storage. The bins are decorated to look like animals or people. Some have a lid for the head, which is attached at the back like a hinge with velcro at the front to keep them closed, while others (like an alligator) have an open mouth. The bin is the body and they have things like flippers, wings, paws and hands on the container to add details. They come a wide variety of styles in bright colors. There is sure to be one that any child will love. They are perfect for either dirty clothes or light toys.
Once you get the room organized, find creative ways to help the kids keep their rooms organized. If you have more than one child, maybe make it a contest to see who can keep their room the neatest for the longest. Let them earn points toward a special treat for every day they clean up their room without being asked. Find what works for your family and the work won't be as hard.
Kid's School Supplies
Create a Spot Specifically for the Kids' School Supplies in Your Home
When the kids come home from school, it is often accompanied by an avalanche of books, backpacks and sport equipment. It can be a real challenge to keep things organized. But the more organized they are, the less chance you'll hear, "Mom, where is my homework?" It can sometimes be a challenge to find any extra space, especially in smaller homes and apartments. However, with some creativity, it is possible to make a nice homework center for the kids.
Do you have a spare bedroom? It can be pretty easy to convert it into a homework area. There are a few options for workspaces, old office desks, or even student desks from schools that have gotten rid of old desks. Even a standard table and chairs will work, as long as they are at a comfortable height for the children. You can often pick things up at yard sales for a good price. Add some hooks to the wall to hold backpacks; shelves for reference books and you have a great study room. It is also a good idea to make sure there is plenty of light.
If you have more limited space available, you could put hooks in a hallway, possibly near the entrance or in a closet, one for each child. They are responsible for making sure their backpack is on their hook when they come home and is only taken down when they are either doing their homework or going to school. Then they can do their homework at the kitchen or dining room table, putting everything back in their backpack when it is done and then hung on their hook.
Another idea to consider is to make a foldaway desk. If there is a closet in each child's room, you can create a foldaway desk that attaches to the closet door. Measure the door and cut a piece of wood to fit (allowing for doorknob and hinges). Sand and paint the wood and attach it to the door with hinges. Be sure to use screws that don't go all the way through the door, or bolts that go from the other side of the door into the wood. Attach another piece of wood vertically, also on hinges that can be pulled out to support the desk. When the children aren't using it, fold the support and top back against the door and the desk is out of the way.
The key is to get a system in place and making sure everyone remembers to put their school things in the same place every day. It may take a few reminders before the kids do it on their own, but eventually it will become something they do automatically when they come home.