Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Kids Clutter Control!.

My cousin at Pretty Organized Palace, and her friend -Wendy at The Shabby Nest are having a linky party on The Shabby Nest for kids' storage ideas, and I said I wanted in. My one good idea came from a book by Deniece Schofield called: Confessions of a Happily Organized Family . Her idea (that I stole) is this: put all the toys in ONE PLACE. Brilliant. I mean how many rooms do you have to clean toys out of every day? Plus, there are all the "ownership" fights: "that's mine!". She says give the kids a little ownership time, while the toy is new, then it goes in the common toy room. So anyway that's what we did, and they're all downstairs!


We've got a lot of different storage options, mostly based on old furniture from my in-laws. This was a buffet before I got to it. I didn't need a buffet, I DID need something to hold Barbies and Dress-ups!




As you can see, this used to be a hutch, but I really needed something to hold a huge, (ugly) doll house, and Disney videos. So, a little paint and new hardware off of ebay, and.....



The most important thing I discovered for kids storage was LABELS. I got tired of the excuse "but I don't know where it goes...." really quick. For younger kids this was trickier, but using my fabulous artist skills (you should see my Liger!) I just drew a picture of the type of toy underneath the name. Labels are also good for friends' parents who try to help clean up before their kids leave. I hate that when I can't figure out HOW to clean up. Makes me wonder how my kids are supposed to. I had a hard time finding these bracket thingies, mainly because I didn't know what they were called, finally I reallized they are just holders for my labels, uh "label holders". Duh. Here's a good link to buy some. I'm serious, it took me days to find them online. Mental block or something.




For the older girls they do have their "special specials" that are mainly momentos and not toys. We limit them to an old cedar chest that was my grandmas (notice the SAME color of paint --I just bought a gallon and went to town).....




...and these cool under-bed storage containers. These were really a find (just at Wal-mart, I don't mean they were HARD to find), because I don't know about you, but my kids always store things under their bed ANYWAY, and this way most of that dead zone is gone. Not as much room for stinky socks and candy wrappers. OK, that's all of the kids clutter control I'm willing to show you. I actually have a whole other set of ugly tupperwares for game stuff, but you don't need to see that. ...nobody really needs to see that. Someday, I will save my money for some artsy baskets like in my master closet. Yeah right. My hard-earned money for kids clutter control. Maybe my mother-in-law will get rid of more furniture soon!

18 comments:

Meredith said...

Great ideas! I labeled all the bins for my girls and so far it seems the only one who can't read them is their daddy! (To his credit, they are kind of flowery...)

Wendy said...

Thank you for joining the party! I love your ideas!

Deja said...

Looks pretty brilliant to me. I keep all of Sam's toys in ... his office.

Actually, come to think of it, it's really hard to keep all his stuff from migrating. Maybe I should have "cleanup time" every day. Heaven knows I could use it, too.

Pretty Organizer said...

I hail you as queen of furniture storage. There is not one exposed naked Barbie in that house I'm sure. The labels are key. I'm about ready to put those label thingys on all of my kitchen cabinets and drawers. Comm'on we've lived here 5 years, have 6 people putting things away and each person likes to get creative with the dishwasher unloading. Grrrr.... they don't have to HUNT to find the blender blade! Cuz, you are the REAL Pretty Organizer... I just play one on computer:) Great Post.

Cheryl said...

I really like your ideas for clutter control. :-)

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

You've done a great job re-purposing your furniture for function. I'm also a big fan of those under the bed storage containers.

RN and OSHP said...

Thanks for posting your great ideas!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

I think my children are the odd ones out--they don't need labels, they just need to know the object has a place.

I'm like you--99% of our toys are in the family room.

~ Sarah

Unknown said...

Inspiring ideas. I love the under the bed storage boxes too, although I still find the stinky socks and candy wrappers, now they're just crammed up against the wall because the boxes act like rolling trash compactors.
thanks for visiting my blog today, come back soon!

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

I love your transformations! So many things in my house have been painted black, they are all over my blog if you are interested. Thanks for adding to the party so that I could find you.

Your poem is so funny, loved it!
~Misti

Remodeling Guy said...

Hey, I love the way you re-used that furniture! Isn't there a catchy new name for that?
Thanks for your comment on my post at The Inspired Room! I appreciate the support! Let me know if I can help when you decide to go color crazy!
Tim @ Remodeling Guy

Mrs. Pittman said...

I'm so with ya' on the No Toys in the Bedroom thing. In fact, I used that idea for part of my post today. Great minds...:)

Jess @ Just a Blink said...

Hey! I am Jess from Just a Blink.

I am drooling over those drawer pulls!
What a classy way to hide kid stuff!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

You have great ideas and a lovely blog!
-Laurel

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

You have great ideas and a lovely blog!
-Laurel

L said...

Yeah! Label holders! Thank you thank you thank you.

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

Love your toy storage furniture! I really need to find a piece for my kid play area but I haven't had much luck. I think yours is awesome!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Great ideas! I love the black furniture with the ebay fixtures. So cute! And I love under the bed containers. Genius!

Thanks for letting me stop by!

Jen