These last few weeks have been very busy, but working today in a kids' playroom reminded me that I have three more tips to expand upon from my spot on Channel 3.
Let's start by corralling all of those special letters, drawings and school papers that are threatening to take over your counters, kitchen table and refrigerator doors.
I recommend a two-part system to my clients to ensure that these papers aren't a constant stress. First, create a temporary home for your kids' artwork by designating a drawer or an underbed box (with the lid removed) that is specifically for these papers. Throughout the school year, as these papers come home, your kids will know right where to put them to keep them safe. (I highly recommend using the underbed box. It works just like a drawer and will leave little room under the bed for hiding toys, dirty clothes, etc.)At the end of the school year, spend an evening with each child and go through their box of special "memories." Decide on an appropriate number of papers to keep, and ask your child to pull out their absolute favorites. Those papers can then be stored in an art portfolio (like the one below from The Container Store) or in a labeled tote that can be stored in the basement. Encourage them to recycle the extra papers so that their "Memory Drawer" is now empty and ready for the next year.
My second tip is meant to help young children with the task of cleaning their bedrooms. Just as we would look at a cluttered family room and feel some frustration at where to begin when cleaning or organizing, kids find it difficult to break a large task down into smaller jobs.
To make this Organized Bedroom Checklist, I typed up the individual jobs that a child would need to tackle in order to clean the whole room. When placed under glass in a pretty frame, kids can even use a dry erase marker to check off each job as they finish it.
My final tip is one I've mentioned before... more than once. But I'm crazy for cubbies and the many ways they help to contain clutter and make maintenance a breeze.
Cubbies are incredibly versatile and easy to add to when you need more storage space. Open cube containers are great for storing smaller toys, and easy to carry (as opposed to a stationary toy box), which makes clean-up quick and easy.
I purchased these wire cubbies above at Target, where you can also find a variety of square totes and containers to fit inside. And if you're lucky enough to live within driving distance of an IKEA, be sure to check out their Expedit line of cubby-style bookcases and storage units.
