Turn your toddler’s room from a cluttered mess into an organized oasis in 6 (easy!) steps
Teamwork makes the dream work.
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Toddlerhood: A balancing act between wanting independence and needing help. This can result in some big messes. But, remember, you likely have a very eager helper who is willing to pitch in when they have the right guidance. So, as counterintuitive as it may be, that makes this the ideal stage to enlist your child’s help in keeping their room organized.
By giving your toddler a sense of ownership and pride in their room, they will feel more motivated to keep everything in order. And, who knows? Before long, they may even clean up toys from the living room floor all on their own. (Hey, anything is possible!)
Especially as you transition your toddler’s room from a nursery to a “big kid room,” you have the opportunity to work together to create a usable, tidy space they can call their own. When it comes to merging functionality and design, no brand does it better than Crate & Kids. With storage solutions that are design-forward, adding a few of these upgrades as you swap out nursery furniture will help you—and your toddler—love spending time in the space.
If the current aesthetic of your toddler’s room is “cluttered chaos,” here’s how you can enlist their help to turn the space into an organized oasis…
1. Make spaces intuitive
A key step to inspiring your toddler to keep everything in its place is helping them know (and remember) where that place is. For example, if you want to keep books to a certain corner of the room, make sure it’s a deserving reading space complete with an accessible, wall-mounted bookshelf and a comfy chair.
2. Store in style & convenience
The less guesswork your toddler has to do when it comes to organizing, the more likely they are to follow through. Use open storage containers—such as bins, baskets and shelves—so that your toddler will be able to easily identify where things go. Then, your job is to avoid overcomplicating your toddler’s work: Allow all stuffed animals to go in one place, toys in another and books in another.
3. Put organization on the schedule
Whether at the end of playtime or before bed, stay consistent about your expectations for clean-up time. Toddlers thrive (or, at least, are less agitated) when they know what to expect. If reminders from you are continually met with resistance, try creating an “end of the day” (or playtime) visual chart to show what organizing tasks should be completed before climbing into bed. Keep it simple to start—like putting away books, toys and clothes.
4. Let them have some free-reign
A toddler with control and an organized room? If those two things sound mutually exclusive, hear this out: By allowing them to make some of the rules, they will feel more comfortable and enthusiastic about organizing going forward. One idea is to give them a special hideaway spot where they can keep any books, stuffed animals or toys they want. Remind them that if it gets too crowded, they should put things away. Either way, the tents means any clutter is out of sight for you.
5. Look to the walls
If you’re tired of tripping over toys while crossing your toddler’s room (especially in the middle of the night!) then it’s time to better utilize the wall space. By using open shelving that keeps your toddler’s favorite belongings in plain sight, they can feel inspired to arrange everything just so—while you get a clear pathway.
6. Inspire independence
The bedroom isn’t just for toys! To involve your toddler in picking out and putting away their clothes, opt for a low-to-the-ground dresser with kid-friendly handles. After all, your little one won’t be able to put things away in places they can’t reach. When it comes to staying organized, these little wins can snowball into big victories as your toddler continues to grow.
Find more organization inspiration at Crate & Kids.
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