3 Keys to Organizing a Play Room

1.  Containerize with the right size/shape containers

Select bins, baskets and tubs that are the appropriate size for the toy(s).  For example, a broader category, perhaps Barbie Accessories for example, are best further categorized into more specific, smaller bins, such as: clothes, shoes, linens, house parts, etc..

Tapper Richards Interiors Playroom Organizing Project - Barbie Doll Accessories

Consider using clear, easy to handle bins whenever possible – this way, the kids can actually see what is in each bin before having to dump it all over the place :).  These acrylic cabinet bins (via Target) are the perfect size for small toys and keep them easily visible and accessible.

Tapper Richards Interiors Playroom Organizing Project - Acrylic Cabinet Bins

I want to grab something when I want it, and toss it back when I’m done.  

~ Pretty sure I’d make a great toddler~  

Nix the covers.  Any bin with a cover requires two action steps and two hands to get into it …AND also two steps to put something away and reassemble:  step 1:  pull out the bin, step 2: open the cover.  We don’t want to promote laziness here, but why not accommodate it

Solution: Opt for containers that are just shallow enough to hold each category and store them on shelving that makes it easy to simply toss things back in to put them away. 

Image via LilBlueBoo.com

2.  Label

Use both words AND pictures to appeal to all generations (toddlers, spouses, babysitters and grandparents).  This will help to maintain the established order as well as teach the little ones about the how easy staying (at least somewhat) organized can be. 

Image via A Day in My Life

3.  Teach

Reinforce the habit and ritual of putting things away when done.  

Even if they don’t tidy up all of the time (just like adults in real life) 

at least there is some structure to return to when needed.  

Every family has its own limit to how disorganized a space will get before its time to tidy up.  For some families, it is every night or before a nap.  

At our house, each tidy up and organizing session usually involves finding a missing part to a puzzle or a toy.  This - to me - is very exciting, so I amp it up.  It's like a treasure hunt!

Involve the kids in the process and mention some of the highlights of being organized. After all, every organizing effort has to be justified by some benefit (we'd rather be at the beach than cleaning the house, but...).  

Here are some bonuses to being organized that kids might be able to relate to.

Being Organized Bonuses:
·      Finding toys when you want to play with them
·      Storing all of a toy's pieces and parts together
·      Tidy up frequently and the job never gets too big
·      Having a clear space to play in
·      Keeping toys in good working condition

Valuable Lessons:

·       Cleanliness – locate the hidden, day-old PBJ before the kids do
·       Safety - prevent injuries - barefeet and Legos don’t mix

·      Passing items along to others who need them or want them as a way to recycle and give to those less fortunate

Good luck tackling possibly the most difficult space in the house to keep organized, but it will be worth it!  I'd LOVE to hear from you in the comments below 

how you keep your spaces organized, or also throw in any questions about your particular organizing challenge!

Before & After: Meal Planning Corner

Disclaimers:  
1.  This is my own house
2.  The before pictures are real (even organizers get too busy to stay organized)
3.  The after pictures are real except that fruit has been replaced with other fruit and my pocket book is thrown in there somewhere now too.
4.  We happily rent this house, which means no home-improvement weekends for me!  I can just live here peacefully and quiet my mind except to think you'd be horrified that your interior designer's kitchen looked like this.  Well, we'll see. Here goes nothing!  

About Organizing Before & After Images:
1.  I rarely show before pictures of my organizing work for client confidentiality reasons. 
2.  I sometimes before-and-after something in my own home because it:
     a.  shows I'm a real human and collect real mess too, and 
     b.  gives me a little reward after completing a project 
          to see how much better it looks
3.  Recently, I have gently bribed some clients into letting me use before images from their projects - you'll see those in the coming months as those projects finish up.  

The Meal Planning Corner in the kitchen is where we store our pantry items, and also houses our paperwork, mail, recipe books, etc.  It's a landing spot too, so our "stuff" collects there quite a bit.  The before image represents a nearly empty cupboard and a colossal mess below with mail, paperwork, junk, etc.  

Disorganized Corner of Our Happy Old Kitchen

Mission: Organization begins using the S.P.A.C.E. method 
Sort:   Categorize
Purge: Check expiration dates, toss empty containers
Analyze:  What's going back?
Containerize:  How shall we store what's going back?  
Evaluate:  How is it working?

All Neat and Tidy!

Organizing is the least expensive way to give your space a quick face-lift.  Also, it helps us to use these healthy food items more frequently - they are top of mind when it comes to planning what's on the weekly menu.  

With these nifty glass containers from The Christmas Tree shops (2 for $5), the pantry goods are visible and appropriately stored in air-tight containers.  

Believe it or not, the white scallop-edge tray on the counter was in there somewhere - buried - in the before shot.  I gave it a quick coat of paint, and it has a new life.

Years ago, I covered a couple of 3-ring binders, which serve as my recipe books, with some remnant designer fabrics - those are the lovely coral-colored binders on the left.  The white binder is different - it is special.  Not only is it not really white, is actually a faux alligator skin :) how chic.  It houses my materials for the MIX Wellness Detox and 8-week "Lose Weight Feel Great" programs.  Learn more about the detox here and the 8-week program here.  Essentially, I teamed up with Kristen Boucher of MIX Wellness Solutions to participate in the cleanse and be an kitchen organizing resource for the participants.  It was a tremendous experience, and I'm in the beginning half of the 8-week program now.  Check it out!  She is a genius, plain and simple.  Let's just say she is partially responsible for all of the dried legumes in this cupboard...