Home Organization for Kids: 7 Expert Tips to Raise Independent, Self-Sufficient Children
We know there are countless benefits of organizing and decluttering, including proven ways to reduce stress and create a more functional home for busy moms (just see our blogs about the unexpected benefits of decluttering and how organizing is a form of self care)! But what about the impact it may have on the little ones in our lives?
Believe it or not, kids can benefit from an organized space just as much, especially in high-paced homes! Living in clutter-free, well-structured environments promotes focus, confidence, and responsibility while living in a messy, disorganized home can lead to anxiety and stress, even in our littles!
Providing efficient, easy-to-maintain systems is a great way to help children develop, teach them how to take ownership of their space and reduce daily mess, and how to build lifelong organizational skills. So we are going to clue you in on seven essential areas to organize for a smoother daily routine with your kids (and their futures) in mind!
1.Kitchen Drawer or Cabinet (Little ones, ages 2-6)
Create a designated self-serve area for children in the kitchen. It can be a drawer with their plates, cups, and cutlery or an easily accessible pantry section for kids. Add drawer dividers or bins to keep things organized and easy to maintain. This will help your kids grab their own snacks and clean up independently. What a dream!
2. Bathroom Shelf/Basket (Little ones, ages 2-6)
Dedicating a personalized bathroom area to store their toothbrush, hairbrush, towels, and other necessities can help them take charge of their morning and bedtime routines. Try using a lower shelf in the medicine cabinet or adding an easy-to-reach storage bin under the bathroom sink!
3. Playroom (Little ones, ages 2-6)
This entire room can be transformed into a structured, clutter-free space since it’s probably one of the only spaces designed for their growth and creativity! Regardless of what kinds of storage solutions you choose (whether it’s bins, baskets, cubby systems, or shelves) make sure your system is CLEAR and LABELED. Sort by category or group by age to make sure your little ones can find and return their toys effortlessly. If you have really young kids, consider using photos/ images as labels instead of text so they can recognize what they want to pull out (AND where items need to be returned at the end of a play session).
4. Bedroom (Little ones, ages 2-6)
Another simple method to encourage self-sufficiency is by setting up a way for them to pick their own outfits! If you’re worried about your little one putting together a mismatched outfit, feel free to use the bedtime drawer as a safe starting point! Select a drawer or shelf that your little ones can access and let them choose their own pajamas before bed!
5. Bedroom Closet (Older kids, ages 6-12)
The next level of independence (a step up from the PJ drawer) is to create a weekly outfit planning station where you can set up a system for them to select and organize their weekly outfits in advance. This one works well with slightly older kids. Install a labeled, easy-to-use cubby system (utilizing a hanging shelf solution if needed) and label each shelf with the day of the week. Every Sunday, start the week prepared and stress-free by picking out their outfits! This will eliminate the daily morning chaos and last-minute outfit struggles, which will help them develop decision-making and time-management skills.
6. Homework Station (Older kids, ages 6-12)
Set up a structured homework space, otherwise known as a workstation, that is a neat, distraction-free learning environment. Implement systems for supplies, papers, and anything else they may need to be productive! Utilize turntables, drawer organizers, and paper trays or filers to support better study habits and productivity!
7. Mudroom/Entryway (All ages, including mom and dad!)
Create a functional entryway system for the whole family, from toddlers to working parents! Keeping a dedicated space for each child’s backpack, shoes, jackets, and other accessories can help eliminate clutter and morning chaos! This one is a huge benefit for everyone as the entryway is usually a high-traffic area and has the potential to be messy and anxiety-inducing.
Creating and keeping a structured home benefits the whole family, not just parents! Your kiddos can thrive in a structured, clutter-free space. It helps build their confidence, independence, self-discipline and responsibility, as they’ll learn to manage personal belongings and respect shared spaces. Teaching them how to pick up after themselves and function in an organized way will translate into how they will be as adults! Help set your family up for success now - and for your kids’ futures - by getting organized now!
Are you a mom to be? Check out Swoon Spaces’ tips for setting up your nursery!
At Swoon Spaces, we help busy, career-focused moms in NYC, Los Angeles, and Austin create beautifully organized, functional spaces that work for their families. Let’s make your home stress-free and clutter-free—contact us today!
