Decluttering the Kids' Room: Here's How to Do It

How do you bring order to the kids' room?

The first step is planning. Sit down and think about how you want to organize the kids' room. Which areas need your attention the most? Toys, clothes, books – make a list and get started! A clear structure helps you keep track and motivates you to stay on task. If you're unsure where to begin, start with the area that bothers you the most. This way, you’ll see quick progress and stay motivated.

Sort by Categories

Take a day to sort everything into categories. Blocks here, dolls there, stuffed animals over there. This way, you maintain an overview and can decide what should stay and what must go. You might even discover forgotten treasures that could become favorite toys again. Children often love rediscovering their belongings when they are neatly presented.

Use the Marie Kondo Method

The KonMari method by Marie Kondo is brilliantly simple: Keep only the things that bring joy. Apply this to the kids' room by picking up each toy and asking yourself: Does it still bring joy to my child? Is it being used? If not, let it go! Sometimes it helps to involve your child in this process. Ask them what is truly important to them and which items they would like to keep. This way, they learn to make decisions and take responsibility for their belongings.

How do you reduce toys?

Piles of toys are often the biggest problem in the kids' room. But don’t panic; here are a few tricks to shrink that mountain:

Less is More

Instead of constantly acquiring more toys, focus on quality over quantity. High-quality toys that last and are versatile bring more joy than cheap trinkets. Also, consider which toys are educational and can foster your child's creativity. Less toy clutter often means more room for imagination and creativity.

The Rotation Principle

If you're facing space issues in the kids' room, try the rotation principle. Pack away some of the toys and swap them out every few weeks. This keeps the kids' room exciting and tidy! Your child will be thrilled each time they discover "new" toys, and you’ll have less chaos to manage.

Donate or Sell

If you need to part with toys, remember that they can still bring joy to others. You can donate gently used toys or sell them at flea markets. It’s a win-win situation! Perhaps there are parents in your neighborhood or friend circle who would appreciate a toy or two. This way, you promote sustainability and bring joy to others.

Implement Organizational Systems

To keep the kids' room tidy in the long run, proper organization is key. Shelves, baskets, and storage boxes help maintain order and keep everything in sight. And don’t forget to teach your child how to clean up their things independently. It’s an important life skill! Maybe you can develop a system together that works for both of you. This way, cleaning up becomes a routine rather than a dreaded chore.

Order is half of life – right? Admittedly, I’m not that tidy myself. Our bathtub often serves as a catch-all for my clothes, and the dishes don’t always make it to the dishwasher right away. Until I eventually get a burst of energy and clean up.

My husband, on the other hand, is quite different. He’s practically the perfect housekeeper. His motto is "Order is half of life." And he has indeed passed his love for order onto our son. Our son now cleans up all by himself and won’t even leave his room until everything is tidy. He also helps clean up with other kids when playdates are over. So, we don’t know what an untidy kids' room looks like. If it were up to me, he might be a bit too pedantic about this topic – but there are certainly worse things than a child who loves order.