Schedule a Free Consultation
(973) 822-1212
Blog Layout
How Do I Keep My Kids’ Clothes Organized?
Neil Rohrbacker • Nov 19, 2019
If you have ever struggled with your own closet organization, chances are good that you’ve also struggled with keeping your children’s closets
and clothing organized. Kids tend to have challenging closets for several reasons: First, they often can’t put items away by themselves in a standard closet. Another reason is that children might try on several outfits before deciding what to wear, dropping the rejected items on the floor in the process. Finally, young people often lack the attention span and desire required to keep their closets nice and neat. If you are looking for tips on how to keep children’s clothing organized, you are in the right place. Keep reading!
Be Realistic About What Your Children Can Handle
Even adults can struggle with keeping their clothing organized, so it’s natural that children will, too. Nobody would expect a toddler to keep his or her clothing in good order, but when kids get to be around elementary school-aged, that tends to change. The reality is that young children (and often even older children) can have a hard time not only understanding how to keep their items neat and tidy but also following through once they understand the basics.
There is also the matter of physical abilities, namely height and small motor skills. A small child cannot usually reach the hanging rod in a standard closet. They also might not be able to manipulate items onto a hanger or fold them properly. This leads to clothes falling on the floor and being stuffed into drawers without folding, so they end up wrinkled and messy-looking. This is understandably frustrating for parents! It can help to keep in mind that kids might need help with these skills for quite a few years. The good news is that you can take a few steps to make learning easier.
Give Them Fewer Choices About What to Wear
One problem that children and adults alike tend to have is owning too many items of clothing. Think about your wardrobe: It is said that most of us only wear about 20 percent of what is hanging in our closets. We wear what is comfortable, what goes together with other pieces, and what looks good. Children often have their own criteria for what they will wear. One child might wear only leggings and t-shirts while another insists on wearing only button-down shirts and jeans. Other children might wear a wide variety of clothing (often in humorous combinations).
Limiting the options your child has at any given time can help keep the clothing organized. First, take out anything that is seasonally inappropriate. This can minimize the chances of your child coming out wearing a heavy wool sweater, shorts, and sandals. Also, be sure to remove anything that has already been outgrown. You’ll need to comb through at least seasonally, since kids grow very quickly. You have probably had the experience of informing your child that the pants he or she is wearing are three sizes too small. You can head this off by removing these items regularly.
Finally, keep in mind that everything that fits your child and is seasonally appropriate does not necessarily have to be in his or her closet at the same time. Feel free to rotate items, especially if your child tends to try on a lot of different outfits or gets frustrated with a large number of items. You might even choose to put only one week’s worth of clothing in the closet or drawers at a time, particularly if your child is young and has trouble making (or sticking to) decisions about what to wear.
Have Kid-Friendly Closet Components Installed
Your child’s closet is likely small and your child is also small. Choosing components that both fit in the space and are easy for your child to access can be the key to success. Some ideas could include a lower hanging rod, shelves for folded clothes, shelves with cubbies built in, drawers in the closet, hooks on the walls, and so on. These components make it easier for your child to put clothing away without help (or with less help than they would need if they had only a high hanging rod).
For more help in organizing a small closet, we can recommend Tips for Organizing a Small Closet, written by Closet Decor & More, a custom closet organizer located in South Florida.
Look at Closet Organization as an Important Life Lesson
While it can be frustrating to help your child get his or her clothing in order, particularly if they are naturally a bit messy, it’s important to look at this as a lesson that will be beneficial for the rest of his or her life. Organization is important in all things: school, work, relationships, keeping a house in order, paying bills, and more. While you might not see the long-term importance of teaching your five-year-old to keep their things neat and organized, it really will be helpful later! When that same child is 12 years old and can whip an unkempt room into shape without your help, you will see the fruits of your labors.
Contact a Professional Closet Organizer
If you live in Northern New Jersey and you are not sure what to do about your child’s closet
or clothing storage, contact Closets to Adore. We work with homeowners in your area to develop unique storage solutions. All of our children’s closets
are adjustable, which means that if we install a closet for your preschooler, he or she will still be able to use it when they’re in high school. It all begins with a free consultation. Contact us now to get started on your journey toward more organized closets in your child’s room.