Happy Monday! I’m excited today to be sharing my tips for organizing children’s spaces. I was invited by the sweet Ursula from Home Made by Carmona asked me to be a part of her Organize Me Pretty series. It includes a group of talented and lovely ladies sharing their secrets for a well-organized home. Never had I needed organization more in my life than when I became a mother and today I’m sharing two of my most organized spaces– Ruby’s nursery closet and her playroom. Here are my tops for organizing children’s spaces.
After several very generous baby showers, I was left with stacks of baby clothing from newborn to 2 years, different types of blankets, sheets, swaddlers, socks, onsies, jammies, washcloths, and the list goes on and on. The thought of trying to organize everything after the baby was born gave me anxiety so I set out to have Ruby’s closet fully stocked before I delivered.
I started by washing everything. And I mean every.thing. A friend gave me some sound advice to have every article of clothing washed, whether Ruby fit into it or not. Babies grow so quickly and you don’t want to miss your window to move them into a darling new outfit because you didn’t think they would fit into it yet, only to find when it did fit, it still had tags and wasn’t ready to go. I washed it all– clothing, blankets, and beyond– using a very gentle baby detergent. The amour of pink fluff from my dryer was shocking.
I then needed a way to keep everything in order. I had registered for a few closet organizers and picked up everything else I needed: a hanging shelf, baskets, fabric box drawers, hangers, and little closet size dividers which were lifesavers (you can find links to all of the items used in her nursery HERE). I used the baskets for hair bows, shoes, and other small items. The other items made it easy to keep all of her clothes organized without the need for a bulky dresser (her nursery is pretty small).
Another favorite organizing feature in her room is a row of ledge shelves layered with Ruby’s books, some of my childhood favorites, and even a few from my dad’s. So special.
When we put together Ruby’s playroom for Christmas last year, organization was maybe the biggest part. I wanted her toys to be easily accessible, but also easily put away.
I made the animal jars for her crayons, markers, and chalk. The bookshelf is from IKEA, and those colorful organizers from Target helped so much. I try really hard to keep toys for different activities separated so they are easy to find. If everything is thrown into the same pile or basket, she can’t play with anything because it’s all just a big mess! I’m not going to pretend it’s not difficult when friends or cousins come over, leave a tornado, then throw everything in a bin when they are “cleaning up.” About once a month I try to go through everything and put it all back where it belongs.
The little wooden paper doll chain I made is perfect for displaying Ruby’s latest artwork and keeping it organized in one spot.
My biggest tip is a saying my husband learned in his childhood: a place for everything and everything in its place. Make a spot for it, put it there, and you’ll always know where to find it and where to put it back. So simple, but really so brilliant.
Be sure to check out the rest of the ladies participating in the series– it’s a talented bunch!
Tomorrow is The Blissful Bee, whom I sat next to at dinner in NYC and she is absolutely adorable (not to mention, the girl has the calf muscles of my dreams). Here’s a breakdown:
Tuesday, Oct. 7th | A Thoughtful Place
Wednesday, Oct. 8th | Primitive & Proper
Thursday, Oct. 9th | Oh Everything Handmade
Friday, Oct. 10th | Up To Date Interiors
Saturday, Oct. 11th | Delineate Your Dwelling
Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART
Tuesday, Oct. 14th | The Blissful Bee
Wednesday, Oct. 15th | Cuckoo 4 Design
Thursday, Oct. 16th | Place Of My Taste
Friday, Oct. 17th | A Home Full of Color
Tomorrow is an awesome Treasure Hunting Tuesday with a find that has been on my vintage bucket list for years! Can’t wait to share!
Have a great start to your week!
xx,
Those shelves look great ! I wish I could display my kids’ pens in pretty jars as well, but I have to keep them out of reach otherwise the walls get customized !!!!
Ruby has the cutest most colorful toys and they are displayed so well and organized. Such a good tip to wash everything. So many times it has happened to me that the tagged clothing shrank after washing and I never had a chance to use it on my kids. What a waste!
Jen, great tips and advice to children’s storage. I love those jars would made and the paper girl bunting! The bookcase from Ikea is perfect for creating a “home” for toys. Thanks for sharing!
Simply beautiful Jen! You make me wish my girls were little again so I could create such a delightfully sweet room! 🙂
her space is so beautiful- love how all of her books and toys are organized!
Love this Jen. Organized childrens spaces are MANDATORY! All the kid things can get outta hand quickly:)
I love great kid’s storage and your play space is perfectly organized! Great share today.
Jen, I am with ya. After my kids were born my house started looking like a children museum rather than a real house. Seriously. I loved how you organized Ruby’s room. Have a great week!Xo
Thank you so much!
[…] Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART […]
[…] 11th | Delineate Your Dwelling Sunday, Oct. 12th | Life On Virginia Street Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART Tuesday, Oct. 14th | The Blissful Bee me Thursday, Oct. 16th | Place Of My Taste Friday, Oct. […]
[…] Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART […]
[…] Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART […]
[…] Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART […]