how to organize your kids’ closet

I know. This post sounds so basic. Like, good story guys. Thanks for the invigorating life lesson. But we’re hitting our home in different phases {as we can, in between life and work} on the organizational front. And we figured we might as well keep it real here. Especially for anyone looking to light a fire under their own bootay and get some of their own organization done! It always inspires us to see what others are up to, and a little realistic encouragement can go a long way! So, today we’re covering how to organize your kids’ closet.

I’ll give a little history first, in case you aren’t familiar with us: We’re no strangers to the whole shared closet thing. When our kids were younger, with the storage in our home, it made more sense to have a shared closet space. We used other areas of the house for toys, etc. since there was no real existing bonus room, in the days of big toys. {I can’t say I miss those looming Fisher Price additions, but I’d pay big to hold those babies again… alas, I digress.} So when we moved into this house, we were a little limited on space.

Their rooms looked like this: I’ll start with our oldest’s.

And we changed it to this.

But those closets… they just weren’t going to work.

The doors made it limiting to access, and there was wasted space, just waiting to be utilized.

So we changed it to this.

Our younger two share a space, and they’re really not mad about it.

We always joke they won’t be able to sleep through the night if they’re separated. But here’s their space: {before}

And after: I only wish it always looked this clean.

We try. But ya also gotta live life, so there’s that.

Closet space before: {OH EM GEE YOU GUYS THAT RED is BURNINGMAHCORNEAS}

So basically, we busted through the wall to utilize the wasted area that would otherwise be taken up by drywall and studs.

It’s crazy how much bigger and better it made the entire upstairs feel.

{For those of you aren’t tired of my plan-sharing here, the idea is that eventually the two boys will share these spaces, and daughter will move into our current master with it’s own bath and closet combo. Master build 2022, y’all – I really have no idea if that’s when it will happen. This is the year where we figure everything out and save like mugs.}

But three kids sharing a closet, doesn’t mean it always stays that way. SHOCKER.

I know right? Shame. Shame. Shame.

We hadn’t really taken it on in a while, {A serious purge in….Probably two years?} and unfortunately, it was bad.

To the point where no one could find anything, and it was the zombie apocalypse in the mornings and they kept wearing the same things over and over and someone may just spontaneously combust into flames of screaming fire because errebodyfreakinoutupinhere… it was time for the great purge of 2020. So if you check out our stories today, you may catch a little “real time action” from the weekend of our kids in absolute misery because life is hard, and because we believe in team efforts around here.

There could be a small animal in here, for all we know… or a clown.

Most definitely a small deranged clown.

Here are a few of our best tips for organizing your kids’ closet.

1. Remove everything and ~~burn it~~ purge.

You can’t organize things without removing everything. We actually worked on it this on Saturday with the kids, and they were less than thrilled. You can’t see what you have without going through it all. I always feel a little lazy when I saunter up to a space I haven’t looked at in a while, and realize stuff’s about to get real. If I’m honest, there’s nothing more overwhelming. We have the option of remaining oblivious while said closet morphs into a doorway of the after death inter-dimension a-la poltergeist, or b. cleaning it out.

Don’t know about you guys but I’ll take B… although ghosts are pretty cool.

You know how this drill goes. Make piles. Keep. Sell. Donate.

{We usually donate or hand down everything.}

2. Divvy it up.

Put clothes back based on type. We find it easier for them to find when they’re in sections based on categories. Though recently it looked like a clothes horse vomited in said closet these last few months, we do like the system of short sleeves, long sleeves, etc. It works.

{We did the drawers, too. But since the closet was the main eye sore…}

3. The power of baskets.

Our situation is a little different, because it’s a shared space. We like to keep the closet walk-able, for starters. But it also tends to hold more clothes than the average closet, since it’s basically shared by three children who all like to hit their growth spurts at once. We have one side for hanging the sturdier/nicer selections, and the other side is for the every day. Here they store play clothes, school clothes {because no one really dresses up anymore for school}, etc. They’re easy to find with labels and location.

IF it’s actually maintained. {More on that, below.}

4. Take advantage of going tall.

Vertical storage is all the rage right now. I really just made that up, and have no idea what I’m talking about.

But sometimes, there is a lot of wasted space in closets with higher ceilings. Builders install one shelf and it’s “good luck, suckas”! We find that taking shelving all the way up to the top, and storing things like swimsuits, ski pants… those items that are seasonal and aren’t used every day, make more space for the immediately used items.

And here’s a bonus while we’re at it… clear the floors as much as you can. Yes, we know, some things just need to be stored there. It’s inevitable. See: our organized, finished version… we gotta store stuff at the bottom.

Just don’t let your kids just throw stuff there never to be seen again. Have a system. Keep things in groupings, and clear out as much as you can. It’s amazing how much better you can feel when things are up and off the floor.

5. Enlist them.

While mom and dad have to stay on top of things, we’ve instituted a new system. The closet is now their responsibility, because they’re old enough. they folded their own clothes for this, and they can put away their own laundry in the future. We will have regular closet checks. They can put things back neatly, take care of their belongings, and keep it that way. Especially if they want screen time privileges. We think we can work a little harder in our family to teach them responsibility and taking pride in the things that they have. {Wish us luck.} My point? We know we’ve done our job well, if they can get to college/venture into the world, and function as self-sufficient adults.

This is a life skill. Do what works for you, but this is how it applies in our house. We think it’s all about systems and team work.

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We hope this little take on a shared closet space has helped you today. Just another angle of real life, and how we can always improve our house. We feel like we’ve lost ten pounds, so that’s pretty great, too. 5 HUGE bags went to friends and donations! If you have any tips for organizing closets, we’d love to hear!

Have an inspired day!