Our Expert Tips for Organizing Even the Messiest Kid Bedrooms

A child's bedroom isn't just for sleeping. It's where children start and end their day. Where they find their sense of style. It's a space that's their own, where they can let their identity shine. It's often where they play, read bedtime stories snuggled up with a parent, and where they feel a sense of safety and control.

​Your kid may try to convince you that they love a messy bedroom where you can't walk without stepping on a toy, but the truth is that kids thrive on routine, structure, and an organized environment.
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Today we're sharing how we organize kids' bedrooms and how to keep them tidy after we leave!

Step #1: Assess the Space

The first step is taking a step back and assessing the space. As parents it's hectic - and we don't stop and think how a space could be tweaked to function better, but it's so important to!

Are you utilizing the vertical space for storage with something like a shelf or cube storage system? Could you adjust closet rods so your daughter's dresses aren't dragging on the bottom? Is there excess furniture like a second dresser or rocking chair from infant days that is just taking up space and could be taken out of the room?

Functionality is important, especially when it comes to teaching kids independence, which helps build self-confidence. Are clothes low enough that your child can reach and help pick out their outfits? Can they pick out their underwear and socks on their own? Are they able to locate their hairbrush?

​Children can start dressing themselves and picking out clothes surprisingly early (starting around age 2 with help). Set them up for success by building the room around their abilities.

​Step #2: Sort the Room

Looking at a floor covered with who knows what can be overwhelming. Our trick is to sort like with like. It helps to start with trash: snack wrappers, all the pieces of colored-on scrap paper, broken toys, and any other unusable items.

The next sweep is for items that don't belong in that room. Blankets and pillows dragged from the living room? Toys from the playroom? Take it out. (Learn how to organize their playroom next, now that all their toys are back there and out of their bedrooms!) 

​Anything that's left in the room, sort into broad categories: clothes, shoes, toys, books, misc. Make a donate pile for unwanted items and outgrown clothes. 
 
Find homes for the remaining items. Utilize labeled bins or baskets to help you and your child keep tidy. Kids who can't read yet can learn to remember where items go without labels or you can consider labels with photos of the item/category.

​Remember to keep child-accessibility in mind. Ideally we want to teach our kids to tidy on their own without our help, so our pro organizers keep things in reach and systems simple.

Step #3: Create the Routine

Now that the space is organized, sometimes the harder part is to keep it that way. When our team organizes, we keep systems super simple, such as large baskets for toys and books.

At a minimum, a great time to make a tidy-up routine is before house cleaners come or before guests or friends come over. Emphasize that we want our space to be tidy and welcoming for guests. It's OK for a few items to be left out, but a daily tidy routine is even more ideal. If it's daily, it will literally take seconds to complete because you never let it get too disheveled. You can make it part of the bedtime routine to do a quick tidy up.
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​When kids are younger you can tidy with them. Ask your kiddo to pick a category to pick up ("Do you want books or toys?") so they have a choice. Picking up by category is much easier for a child to understand than just "clean up your mess!" If they need extra buy-in, you can put on a fun song and say "Let's see how much we can tidy up before the song is over!"

A visual bedtime routine list can help younger kids too. You can get free clipart online and add it to a Google doc to print for things like brushing teeth, going potty, bathing, getting into PJs, tidying up the room, bedtime stories, song, then bed. A visual map can help so much to combat bedtime resistance.

Step #4: Set the Example

Kids are little sponges who somehow are always listening and observing us. They learn how to live by how we live. I hated cleaning the house by myself when I was growing up, but I loved doing it when my dad did it with me. I didn't feel alone and like it was a punishment. Instead, it was a time to bond with him.

​If your kids see you tidying up, they'll learn by example and want to tidy too. After tidying their bedrooms with my kids, I like to say something like "Wow, this looks amazing and feels so calm now! Don't you think?" Pointing out the benefits of a tidy space can help them see and appreciate it too.

The more you tidy, the quicker it is and less of a huge deal too. There might be pushback at first, but the more you do it, it will be seen as a simple and quick everyday task. No more drama and big emotions (usually!)

You've got this! It doesn't have to be a painful experience! I see some organized bedrooms in your future, kept tidy by responsible little ones who love their calm haven. Once their rooms are organized and systems are in place, it will be so much easier to keep tidy.

Please reach out if you need that initial help to put you and your kiddos on the right path. And if you're curious about our organizing services, download our organizing guide to learn more!

See you soon,
Sandi