Peaceful Playrooms Made Possible

by Laura Leist

Most parents would agree that when you have young kids, it can feel like the entire house turns into the playroom. If you are ready to reclaim your space, and keep toys out from under your feet, it may be time for a fun-filled family activity: organizing the playroom!

As a first step, get your children on board. Explain to them the goals of your organizing project, what their role is, and that they may need to consider giving away some of the toys they no longer play with so that less-fortunate children can enjoy them. This organizing project can be an exercise in letting go and sharing. Or, if you have an enterprising child, they can set up a garage sale or sidewalk sale to sell some items to people in the neighborhood.

Next, consider the zones you would like in your playroom. A playroom should be divided into a few zones to maintain the space and make cleanup a breeze. Create a “library” zone for books, a station for arts and crafts, an open space for play, and a parking area for play strollers, trucks, etc.

Storage is the key ingredient to keeping a playroom orderly and usable. I have seen many storage styles work, but one of my favorite techniques involves shelves with cubbies, which allow you to add designated baskets and categorize play items. Fabric or wicker baskets are perfect for corralling items such as toy cars, Legos®, building blocks and other small play items. Other cubbies can be left open for books, puzzles and larger toys. Cubby storage provides more space than you might anticipate because by organizing and consolidating similar items into baskets, you will gain space for new categories and items. Baskets can be labeled with words or pictures, making cleanup easier because everything has an obvious place.

Contemporary Kids by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators Style On a Shoestring

You can install built-in shelves with cubbies for bins and baskets that kids can access easily. I like the idea of bins on drawer tracks that kids can just dip into for their toys. If you’re not quite ready to commit an entire wall to permanent storage, consider adding single shelves within your child’s reach to free up more floor space for play. These shelves can hold baskets, bins and books.

Traditional Kids by Amsterdam Media & Bloggers Iris

Open bins are a highly functional option because kids can see the contents without having to pull baskets down from shelves. They are especially great for smaller, less independent children who need easy access to their toys. These can be found in a variety of styles and can be stacked to create a more dedicated storage system. Toy trunks are great for smaller children and can be used for things like dress-up clothes and larger plush toys. If you choose to have a toy trunk, avoid using it as your single storage solution. Limit the items in a toy trunk to one or two categories that can be easily maintained. As your child grows, toy trunks can be repurposed as storage for school art projects and mementos.

If you don’t have a separate playroom, but have a family room that doubles as play space, you may want to dedicate shelf space to toy bins or the inside of a storage bench or ottoman. A freestanding storage bench offers more than just comfy seating; it doubles as a space to store games, toys, books, and art supplies. Some benches have lids that open to reveal storage space, but you can also find benches with cubby space for baskets to match the décor of your family room.

Picture via kidspacestuff.com

At the end of the day, play spaces are meant to be enjoyed, even If it means creating a big mess. As long as you have the right storage solutions for cleanup time, your children can continue to enjoy their toys and their imaginations.

Warmly,

Laura Leist, CPO
Organizing with Laura