What to do about toy clutter

Photo: Victoria Art from @Pexels

Toy clutter happens! It's important to remember that just like grownups do, kids also feel overwhelmed by too much stuff.

As kids grow, learn and change, they outgrow older toys and move on to new toys. Toys and games break or lose some of their pieces, while the leftovers stick around as clutter. Birthdays and holidays bring new toys into the home. There might also be the generous grandma who brings new toys every time she visits, just because. Add the hand-me-downs from relatives and friends, and it’s easy to see how busy parents may be experiencing toy clutter overload.

Parents feel frustrated by the amount of toys kids have, the mess it creates, and the time it takes to tidy things up. Sometimes they'll comment that "the kids don't even play with these toys any more."

It's important to remember that just like grownups do, kids also feel overwhelmed by too much stuff. Instead of bringing joy, a huge amount of toys can turn into a source of stress, something we definitely don't want for our kids!

What can help?

Photo: Yaroslav Shuraev from @Pexels

Pare down! Rather than feeling deprived, having fewer toys actually allows kids to more easily focus on and enjoy the toys they have. You may do a toy purge while kids are in bed or at school, but it’s best to involve kids in the process whenever possible. Kids may enjoy choosing which toys they’d like to gift to someone less fortunate.

Strategize. Plan toy purges and donations to occur before birthdays and holidays, when new toys will be entering the home.

Create zones. Have an area for arts & crafts, an area for dress-up, an area for building toys like blocks and legos, a reading area with cushions and stuffed toys.

Involve kids in keeping things tidy. Choose a home (such as a bin or basket) for each kind of toy. Teach kids how to put toys back in their homes after playing with them.

Toy rotation can help keep toys manageable. Create sets of toys (involve kids in the choosing process!). Have one set available to be played with, while you store the other toy sets out of sight. After a while (weekly, monthly, or seasonally) put away the current set and bring out a new toy set.

Rather than feeling deprived, having fewer toys actually allows kids to more easily focus on and enjoy the toys they have.

Sometimes we think of kids as preferring things to be messy. But I’ve seen over and over how kiddos love it when their play area is tidied up. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or bored by clutter and excess, they’re excited to play with their toys. Just like grownups, an organized space has a positive effect on them.

I'm Kammy, a professional organizer serving Chicagoland's hardworking professionals. If you're a busy parent with kiddos, I'm here to help you make your playroom a joyfully organized place where your kids can truly thrive. Reach out to me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

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"The kids were so excited to see the room, and they played with the toys!"

—my client after her daughters’ playroom was tidied up

Before doing a toy purge…

… and after!

Organizing kids' clothing

Parents, are you overwhelmed by the task of organizing and managing kids’ clothing?

Organizing kids’ clothing can be a challenge for several reasons. Unlike most grownups, kids are continually growing, which means they’ll outgrow the clothing they’re wearing today, and will need bigger sizes in the future. To make things more complicated, individual kids can grow at different rates at different times. And if you have more than one child, and you’d like to put aside one child’s outgrown items for the next child’s future use, there’s the additional problem of where and how to store these things until they are needed. It’s easy to see how organizing and managing kids’ clothing can get overwhelming for parents.

Here’s a simple system that can help.

Here’s an example based on a client of mine who has two daughters. The system works the same if you have two boys. If you have a boy and a girl, you’ll likely want to modify the system to account for the fact that some clothing items are unisex & can become hand-me-downs, while others aren’t. If you have three or more kiddos, you can also modify the system accordingly.

Step 1: Sort

The first step is to take all clothing out, and sort it into these categories:

1 - Clothes that currently fit Kid 1
2 - Clothes that currently fit Kid 2
3 - Clothes that are too small for either kid
4 - Clothes that are too big for either kid (future clothes)
5 - Clothes that Kid 1 has outgrown, but are too big for Kid 2 (in-between clothes)

Then sort Category #3 into these subcategories:
3a - Donate
3b - Sell
3c - Sentimental items to keep

Step 2: Purge

In step 2, we’ll purge all the categories from step 1. 

Items that are ripped, stained, worn out, or otherwise damaged should be discarded. Too-small items (category #3) that are in good condition can be donated, taken to a consignment store, or sold online. A limited selection of too-small clothing can be kept as sentimental items. I suggest choosing a joyful way to store these items, such as a special box or bin, and also using that container as the limit for how many sentimental items to keep.

Step 3: Organize and Store

Store the clothes that each kid can currently wear in their respective closet and/or dresser. Future clothes for Kid 2 or for both kids can be sorted by size and season, then placed in labeled containers for storage until needed.

Step 4: Maintenance

Once the initial three steps have been done, all that remains is to keep the system running by doing regular maintenance. Keep an empty bin in each kid’s closet to accumulate outgrown clothing. 

In spring and fall, empty the bins. Discard, donate, sell, or store (sentimental) the too small items. 

In spring and fall, put away in-between clothing (category #5). And bring out future clothing (category #4) for kids to start wearing.

More helpful tips to organize kids’ clothing:

One of the easiest ways to simplify your clothing management is to have less clothing. Decide on the needed amount of clothing for each kid based on how often you do laundry.

Reduce time spent folding by hanging everything you can hang. 

Eliminate time spent matching pairs of socks, by having only one (or at most, a few) kinds of socks. Then just throw them in a drawer—no matching needed.

If a kid’s closet has a double closet rod, use the top rod to hang off-season clothes. The kid can choose and hang up their own current-season clothing on the more accessible bottom rod. If there’s no second closet rod, store off-season clothing in a bin in the closet or a separate location.

Using a small transparent plastic chest of drawers (rather than traditional dressers) makes it easier for kids to access and put away their own clothes. Keep only one type of clothing in each small drawer, and label each drawer (“Shirts” “Socks”, etc., or with a picture for younger kids).

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I’m Kammy, a professional organizer helping Chicagoland’s busy working parents organize their homes to find peace and relief. I’ll help you create a system that works for you—so you can enjoy more quality time with your kids. Reach out for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

Clothes for the future when the kids grow into them. Sorted by size and season.

Off-season clothing storage in bins on a top shelf. The bottom right bin is there to collect outgrown items.

Containers don't make you organized

So many beautiful baskets and bins. Sometimes it's like they almost might have magic powers!

"Look at these great bins. If I had these, I just know I'd be more organized!"

With all the beautiful bins, boxes, and baskets available for purchase, it can sometimes be hard to remember one important thing: Organizing is the process of sorting, making decisions, and finally choosing a home for each item. It's not the process of putting items into containers so they look pretty.

Organizing has two parts: Deciding what to have, and deciding where to put it.

This means that decisions come first. You'll choose to keep things that you love, need, and use, while discarding things that are not serving you. When you're done deciding what belongs in your life, that's the time to choose where to put things, based on when, where, and how often you use them. Storage is the very last step in the organizing process.

I know how tempting it is to rush out to the Container Store or Target when you've decided you want to organize your home. There are some seriously lovely containers out there—sometimes it's like they almost might have magic powers. You're certainly not alone if you've ever thought, "Look at these great bins. If I had these, I just know I'd be more organized!" But simply putting all your belongings into containers as a first step, will only give the illusion of organization. I have been in many homes where there are plenty of containers, yet there is not a system that works.

Here are a few common container errors.

The wrong type of containers being used, so that it actually creates more work rather than making things easier.

• Example: using containers with very high walls inside a narrow, deep cabinet. It's difficult to reach into the container to retrieve items, so they sit there not being used. When more items are purchased, they get put in front of the containers, not in them. The result is duplication and clutter.

• Example: using opaque containers instead of clear in situations where you need to be able to quickly see what's inside (to determine how much bird seed you have left, or printer paper, or whatever). This may be more important to you if you're a very visual person.

• Example: very large containers used to store heavy items such as books. You wind up with a very heavy and bulky container that's difficult to move.

Containers or other storage solutions that seem like a clever idea, but don't fit the space.

• Example: a client had purchased a "gravity can feeder" (the wire kind, where cans are placed sideways so they can roll forwards). But when they put it together, there was not one cabinet or shelf in the entire kitchen that was big enough for this storage item to fit.

Allowing the size and shape of a container, rather than the contents and frequency of use, to dictate where you'll store something.

• Example: Super tall clear acrylic canisters didn't fit in any of the logical places a client wanted to store frequently-used baking supplies. They then began to explore storing the containers sideways, or in a lower, more distant cabinet. Eventually they agreed that these canisters, while very pretty, just didn't provide the functionality they needed in their kitchen.

Have a clear idea how new containers will be used. And measure first before you go to the store!

Tips for buying containers:

• Sort and discard first, so that you know what and how much you need to store

• Consider if you can use a container you already own instead of buying new

• Have a clear idea how new containers will be used

• Before leaving the house to go to the store, measure the space the containers will go in

• Consider whether you want clear or opaque containers. How important is it to see the items inside?

• Pay attention to the height of the container walls. How important is it to be able to reach in and retrieve items?

With a little thought and planning ahead, and remembering that storage comes last, common container errors can be avoided and you can create a home that's functional as well as beautiful.

Bins don't have the power to create a system

Final thoughts: One of the biggest challenges in organizing is that many items can have emotional significance. This includes containers. Buying aspirational containers can be an expression of our desire to have things be different, to live a more organized life. It's important to remember that bins don't have the power to create a system. Nor do they have the power to change your habits, shopping patterns, ways of thinking, or other factors that may be contributing to feeling cluttery and overwhelmed. Only you have that power!

Looking for guidance in your home organizing journey? As a professional organizer, I'm here to help. Reach out for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

12 Household Organizing Ideas for the Holiday Season

🌱 Today’s post is a collaboration with 11 other professional organizers from across the USA, including fellow KonMari consultants Dr. Jessica Louie and Megan Spillman, and fellow NAPO Chicago member Amy Trager. So glad to participate!

Photo credit: Redfin

The holiday season is in full swing, which means decorating your home with lights and ornaments galore.

But with all this winter cheer and seasonal décor, you might be struggling to keep your home organized. Don’t worry, we’ve consulted with organizing experts across the country and they’ve revealed their best household organizing ideas for the holiday season. So whether you’re living in sunny Sacramento, CA or chilly Philadelphia, PA you’ll want to know how to keep all your holiday items organized this December and for many years to come. 

1) Set intentions on what decorations are most meaningful and spark joy for you. Ask yourself – do I want to store these decorations year-round? Do they take up valuable space in my home? Would I rather rent or borrow decorations to limit the number I own? Remember, the less stuff we display, the more meaning we find in each piece. – Dr. Jessica Louie, Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast & Master-Level Certified KonMari Consultant 

2) Let go of any holiday decorations that no longer spark joy. By making intentional choices about which holiday decorations you keep and display, you let the decorations that you really love shine. As you are putting away decorations, ask yourself, will I be happy to see this again next holiday season? Write a “note to self” and tuck it away in your decorations as you pack up for the season. The note could include highlights of the season and suggestions for next year. – Megan Spillman, Peace and Tidy

3) Reuse what you have and make sure to label. When packing away holiday décor, save the used, ripped tissue from gift-giving to wrap and protect fragile items. When packing multiple bins or boxes you’ll use, be specific: label “Mantle & Staircase” or “Blue & Silver Décor” instead of “Hanukkah.” When putting all the décor away, if there’s anything that didn’t make it out this season, consider donating it if it no longer fits your aesthetic. – Amy Trager, CPO® 

Photo credit: Redfin

4) Clean out your storage closet for the season. The winter season is a great time to declutter and organize your storage closet(s). Sorting light bulbs, batteries, and Command hooks into separate clear bins and adding labels, help make holiday decorating a breeze and put away a cinch too! You may also consider moving these items down to a convenient shelf (at least temporarily) for easy access during the winter. – Melissa Rogers, Modified by Melissa

5) Decide what to donate before decorating. Before you bring gifts into the house, set a timer for 15 minutes, put on fun holiday music and skim the house for things you can donate. Thrift stores need items at the holidays and now more than ever that’s where people are shopping. Reduce reuse recycle. The kids can get involved, too! Make it fun by letting them know other families will love their hand me downs. – Amy Fritz, Thoughtful Organizing

6) Donate items you no longer display. For much of the year, your winter holiday decorations are out of sight and out of mind. When you’re getting out your festive décor for the holiday season, that’s a perfect time to let go of items you no longer display. Not only will this leave you feeling lighter, but by donating your excess decorations before rather than after the holidays, you could help make someone else’s celebration a little brighter this year. – Kammy Lee, Organized by Kammy

7) Store ornaments by shape and size. When storing tree ornaments, keep similar sizes/shapes together! Keep flat ornaments separate from balls and round ornaments, as it is more space-efficient and they will fit better in boxes. Wrap any delicate ornaments in tissue to avoid damage. – Adeilah Dahlke, Jigsaw Organizing Solutions

8) Reuse boxes to store your ornaments. Save money by using wine boxes from a local liquor store to preserve holiday ornaments. The dividers keep ornaments from breaking, and even heavy ornaments are safe in these sturdy boxes. – Barbara Reich, Life Organized

Photo: Kaboompics .com from Pexels

9) Plan for next year. Declutter your holiday décor as you are returning it to storage bins, purging the items that year after year don’t make the cut. While it’s easier to ball up the lights and toss them in a box, wrap them around a piece of cardboard or invest in a light storage reel to make future setup a breeze. – Azure MacCannell, Live Composed

10) Clean your holiday items as you store them. Dust and clean all holiday items as you put them away. As you excitedly open the boxes next year you are all good to go and don’t have any housekeeping to do. Just decorate for your holidays and enjoy! – June Carter, GYST* Solutions

11) Store seasonal décor so you can see it. Keep all seasonal decorations in clear bins (not orange for Halloween or red for Christmas!) When everything is in a clear bin, you can see what’s inside and then label the outside!  Make sure to get rid of anything you don’t use this year, so that you don’t accumulate clutter. – Whitney Tevis, The Organized Nest, LLC

12) Make storage a breeze. We are all getting ready for the winter holidays pulling out decorations and clothing we have not used since last year. We recommend using clear containers is a great way to go for storage. Searching through the attic space or garage can become less of a chore if you can see what was packed a year ago. We also suggest when packing up the use of dry packs of Silica Gel which will absorb the moisture to keep the damp and musty smells from your keepsakes for the following year. – Kathleen Dahan, Uncluttered Places

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This blog post was originally posted on the Redfin Blog.