Are you looking for ideas on how to organize your kid’s playroom? I used to dread organizing the playroom. Mainly because there was way too much stuff!
Do you have that problem too? It seems like my kids get so much stuff for Christmas and birthdays. I feel like I’m always purging and cleaning the playroom.
I think this is going to be an ongoing struggle until we get past the toy stage but I have faith that we can keep it organized!
Why You Should Organize The Playroom
Are you wondering why you should start organizing the playrooom? Well I’m glad you asked! Clutter causes stress. Have you ever noticed that? When the playroom or play area is messy, I feel more stressed!
Clutter signals to our brain that there is work that needs to be done. It’s hard to relax or do things that you enjoy when you feel like there are things that need to get done.
Have you ever noticed that your kids are more likely to play and use their imagination when they have a clean, clutter-free space?
Having the space organized gives them the mental and physical space they need to imagine and play.
Decluttering The Playroom
The first step of organizing is to declutter. The less stuff you have, the easier it will be to organize. If you try to categorize items and put them away before decluttering, it gets overwhelming.
Consider toy minimalism. This is a less is more concept. I have found that when my children have fewer toys that grab their attention, they are actually more content, curious, and take better care of their toys.
They’re able to engage more deeply, use their imagination, and explore more with the toys they have.
If you want to learn more about this, I highly recommend the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne.
Keep, Donate, Or Trash Pile
When decluttering, I like to have a keep, donate, or trash pile. This just helps me get through the process so much faster.
I like to get rid of the following:
- Broken toys that they don’t play with
- Doubles
- Puzzles missing pieces
- Small pieces that have lost their set
- Items they’ve outgrown
- Things they no longer enjoy
- Books they no longer read
- Arts and crafts items that are dried out or used
- Papers scraps
Categorize Items By Like Items
After you’ve separated everything into your piles, get rid of the trash and donate pile. Now take the “keep” pile and put them into their own piles by categories.
You can categorize by like items such as Legos, stuffed animals, crafts, Barbie’s, etc..
How To Store Items In A Playroom
The next step is to figure out how you’re going to store these items.
I like to focus on function and make things accessible (so they’ll actually use it.) Using clear containers whenever possible helps kids see what is actually in the storage container. I find that they’re more likely to actually use it if they can see it.
You can also use baskets or bins to organize kids’ toys. Not all of their stuff needs to be visible so you can definitely use something other than clear containers. My kids have a Fort Making Kit and I like to store the fabric they use for forts in baskets.
If you have younger kids, you may want to use soft storage containers.
Playroom Storage Solutions
I like to have shelves with baskets or bins to store toys that they use on a regular basis. When doing this, make sure that the baskets are accessible and at their level.
Adding shelves to the walls is another way to help store stuff and keep the playroom looking cleaner. Things like puzzles, games, and other items that aren’t necessarily used on a regular basis would work great on shelves.
Another great option is organizer bins. What I like about these bins is that their toys are visible so it makes it easier for kids to find what they’re looking for. And it helps keep the playroom looking organized and clean.
Legos
I like putting Legos in clear bins. You can organize them by color or by Lego set. I personally like to organize them by color. I think it makes it easier for kids to use and clean up.
It’s much easier for kids to put things back based on color than it is based on the Lego set.
Toys
Whenever possible, I like to keep toys in clear bins on open shelves. But for the items that I don’t keep on open shelves, I keep in either organizer bins, baskets, or plastic totes for toy rotation.
Using a toy rotation can help get rid of some of the visual clutter. Grab a plastic tote and put some of their toys in it in. Keep the tote in a separate room or basement, then regularly switch out toys. Toys will feel “new” to your kids and it’ll spark an interest in old toys.
Dramatic Play Toys
Dress-up clothes are another category that needs good storage solutions. Without a place to go, clothes will end up everywhere and the playroom will look cluttered and messy.
I have used a dress-up closet and I’ve used hooks on the wall. Both are great solutions depending on the space that you have available.
Stuffed Animals
Are your kids obsessed with stuffed animals? Mine are and they’ve named every single one of them and somehow remember all of their names. Which I find impressive!
But with their love of stuffed animals comes a huge collection of animals in our home. In order to keep them from taking over our house, we’ve had to come up with storage solutions for them.
We have two of these hammock organizers in our playroom. They surprisingly hold a lot of stuffed animals.
Another popular option is an animal storage bean bag chair. You put the stuffed animals in this bean bag and then not only have a place to store the animals but also seating!
Books
You can opt for a traditional bookshelf or one of these book rack storage options.
Crafts
We have a TON of crafts and it gets messy really fast. With craft storage I really like using Lazy Susan turntables whenever possible.
It makes it easier for kids to use and put stuff away. And it’s more visually appealing in my opinion.
This storage center would work great for craft supplies on a table. You could also buy a turntable and then use mason jars to store supplies.
A drawer organizer cart is a great way to store papers, supplies, tools, ect. I like that everything is all together and it has wheels so it can easily be moved. We keep all paper, colored paper, coloring books, and overflow craft supplies in ours.
You could also get dividers and put them in the drawers to get it even more organized.
Another great turntable solution is this organizer that is clear and has lids so you don’t spill any craft supplies.
Another favorite craft storage solution is a utility cart. You can find them on Amazon, Target, or IKEA. They are a great way to store supplies and it has wheels so you can easily move cart.
Are you sensing a theme here? I really like turntables and carts with wheels. Ha!
Organize And Find A Good Spot For Everything
So now that you’ve decluttered, figured out what you’re going to use to store items, it’s time to find a good spot for everything. This is when I figure out where shelves will go, where I will hang up hammocks or where to put tables, ect.
I like to set up areas in the playroom. For example, an arts and crafts area, a cozy reading area, a lego area, or a toy area.
Then when you have your areas picked out, put your storage solutions in that area.
What To Do When You’re Done Oragizing
Or in other words, how does it stay organized? Here are a few ideas to help you keep up with your newly organized playroom.
- Limit the number of gifts you get your kids. You could go with the 4 gift rule for Christmas. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. This will help with the accumulation of stuff.
- Buy non-toy gifts. Non-toy gifts such as a gift card to go to the movie theatre, a zoo pass or a subscription box to Kiwi Crate, etc.
- Label everything. This will help your kids know where things go when they are done playing. If your kid is too young to read, you can use pictures as labels.
- Teach kids to clean up after themselves. This is an ongoing thing in our house but teaching kids to put things away and showing them where it goes will help them to keep their playroom organized.
- Purge Often. Another thing to do to keep the space looking nice is to purge often. I like to do a purge before holidays and birthdays in order to make room for new things.
After getting things organized and setting up a system for keeping it that way, your kid’s playroom will look and feel much more inviting. Happy organizing!
Post you may like: 131 Things To Declutter Right Now!
Have you done any organizing in your kids playroom?
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