5 Storage Tips for Kids' Rooms

Smart storage is the key to keeping your child's bedroom and play spaces ready for action at any time. For everything from getting dressed and reading to playing games and doing craft projects, it's important to make it easy for your kids to know where their belongings are so they can develop a sense of independence from being able to take charge of parts of their routine. Plus, well-designed storage makes it easy for them to pick things up and put them away. Here are a few things to consider when designing the storage systems for your child's spaces.

5 Storage Tips for Kids' Rooms

  • Use open and closed storage.

    Open shelves and cubbies are great because they double as display space, turning colorful belongings into part of the room's decor. They also tend to keep the room feeling more open and spacious. Closed storage (cabinets and drawers) is key, too, for those belongings that have less visual appeal (electronics, for instance). Think carefully about what kinds of things need to be stored and where before selecting your mix of open and closed storage.

  • Make sure activities are
    within reach.

    Make sure you're considering the room from your child's height so it's easy for them to reach the things they want. On a set of shelves, for instance, put the books and toys they'll play with every day on the lower shelves, and reserve the top one for a few items such as framed photos or music boxes that are meant more for display.

  • Get creative with color
    and shape.

    On open shelves, colorful canvas buckets or baskets with bright liners can complement the theme of the room, becoming stylish as well as functional. When arranging items on open shelves, grouping things of similar colors or shapes together can turn toys or other collections into eye-catching displays.

  • Ensure portability.

    For items such as building blocks or art supplies that will often be taken to a table or other workspace for use, make sure you provide easily portable buckets or bins that kids can move around.

  • Keep things organized.

    Storage and organization are not necessarily the same thing. Make sure it's easy to keep belongings organized by setting up systems (such as labeled or color-coded bins or shelves) that are easy for both you and your kids to use.