Organising Children’s Bedrooms: An Epic Guide

Ever feel like you’re stepping into a toy-filled obstacle course every time you enter your child’s room? Toys are scattered, clothes are strewn about, and you can barely see the floor. Keeping a child’s bedroom organised and clutter free feels impossible — but with the right strategies, it doesn’t have to be.

The mess can be overwhelming, but don’t despair. Organising children’s bedrooms is achievable with the right approach. This guide will provide you with my epic strategy to not only tidy but also declutter and organise your children’s space.

The Importance of Decluttering

Before diving into organisation, it’s crucial to declutter. Children’s rooms often become repositories for a multitude of items, many of which are no longer used or needed. Decluttering creates space and simplifies the organisation process.

 “If you want your children to keep their rooms tidy of their own accord, it’s important you give them a clean slate to start with.”

Why Organising Children’s Bedrooms is Important

• Better sleep: A calm, clutter-free environment promotes relaxation.
• Encourages independence: Kids learn to take responsibility for their space.
• Boosts focus and creativity: A tidy room creates space to play and learn without distractions.

Age-Specific Organisation Tips

Children’s needs evolve as they grow, and their rooms should adapt too. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works — so here’s a breakdown of practical, age-appropriate strategies:

Toddlers (Ages 1-4)

For little ones, simplicity is key. They’re still learning basic habits, so storage should be intuitive and accessible:

• Low, open bins: Easy-to-reach baskets or soft bins make tidying up straightforward — no lids or complicated systems.
• Picture labels: Use images instead of words (e.g., a teddy bear sticker for stuffed animals). This helps non-readers know where things belong.
• Rotate toys: Keep some toys stored away and rotate them every few weeks to prevent overwhelm and keep things fresh.

✅ Goal: Build the habit of putting things away with minimal effort.

School-Aged Kids (Ages 5-10)

Kids in this age group are ready for more structure — and they love personalising their space:

• Cubby systems: Modular shelves or cubby units give each type of item a dedicated home.
• Personalised storage: Let your child pick colours, designs, or even DIY decorations to make it feel like “theirs.”
• Homework zones: Add a small desk or work area for school tasks, keeping supplies tidy with labelled containers.

✅ Goal: Encourage independence while making tidying feel fun, not a chore.

Teenagers (Ages 11+)

Teens crave autonomy — and their rooms are often an extension of their identity. Organisation works best when they feel in control:

• Collaborate on the setup: Let them decide on the layout, storage style, and even furniture arrangement.
• Hidden storage: Bins under the bed, wall shelves, or ottomans with storage offer style and functionality.
• Declutter tech zones: Teens accumulate gadgets, chargers, and accessories — a charging station or cable organiser keeps wires under control.

✅ Goal: Support their need for personal space while encouraging a tidy, functional environment.

Decluttering Steps

Here’s a step-by-step guide to decluttering your children’s rooms:

• Set aside time: Dedicate specific time to decluttering. Don’t try to squeeze it into an already packed schedule.
• Start small: Begin with a single drawer or shelf to make the task less daunting.
• Sort it twice: The first sort is to create piles of similar items. The second sort involves deciding what to keep, donate, or discard.
• Involve your children: Decluttering is a great opportunity to teach children about decision-making and letting go. However, avoid imposing unrealistic standards on them.
• Take breaks: Decluttering can be tiring, so take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
• Dispose of clutter: Remove unwanted items from the house promptly. Donate usable items or sell them.
• Create a keepsake box: For sentimental items your child no longer uses, create a special box to store them.
• Combine with redecorating: If you’re redecorating, use this as an opportunity to declutter.

Setting Up an Organisation System

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to set up an organisation system. The key principle here is: “a place for everything, and everything in its place.”

• See things from your children’s perspective: Choose storage solutions that are easy for them to use.
• Pick the right storage: Opt for open bins, stackable boxes, and underbed storage. Label everything clearly and consider colour-coding. Let your children decorate their storage to encourage them to use it.

Smart Storage Solutions for Kids’ Bedrooms

The key to a tidy, functional child’s room is having storage that works with — not against — their daily habits. Here are some clever, practical storage ideas to maximise space and make organising easier for both you and your child:

1. Vertical Storage: Use Wall Space

When floor space is limited, think upwards:

• Floating shelves: Perfect for books, trophies, or decorative items, keeping surfaces clear.
• Hanging organisers: Over-the-door pocket organisers work brilliantly for shoes, small toys, or art supplies.
• Wall hooks and pegboards: Great for hanging hats, bags, or dress-up costumes — and they can easily be rearranged as your child’s interests change.

✅ Why it works: Frees up the floor for play while keeping frequently used items within reach.

2. Multi-Functional Furniture: Storage That Works Harder

Investing in furniture with built-in storage saves space and keeps clutter under control:

• Beds with built-in drawers: Perfect for storing seasonal clothes, extra bedding, or toys.
• Ottomans or benches with storage: Provides a comfy seat and hides away bulky toys or games.
• Desks with cubbies or shelves: Keeps stationery and homework essentials tidy without taking up extra room.

✅ Why it works: Blends storage seamlessly into the room without sacrificing style or comfort.

3. Mobile Storage: Keep It Flexible

Kids’ interests (and messes!) change fast, so flexible storage options make life easier:

• Rolling carts: Ideal for craft supplies, LEGO collections, or doll accessories — and kids can move them around independently.
• Underbed storage bins on wheels: Great for bulky toys, spare clothes, or sports gear. Pull them out when needed and slide them back effortlessly.
• Stackable crates or boxes: Lightweight, colourful crates can be rearranged to suit evolving storage needs.

✅ Why it works: Adaptable, easy to move, and encourages kids to help tidy up.

Introduce a “Quick Reset Routine”

Keeping a child’s bedroom tidy doesn’t have to mean a full clean-up every day. A short, repeatable daily reset — like the “5-Minute Reset” — helps prevent mess from piling up while teaching kids how to manage their space independently.

Here’s an easy breakdown:

• 1 minute: Toss all clothes into the hamper.
• 2 minutes: Gather scattered toys and put them into bins or baskets.
• 1 minute: Straighten the bed — pull up the duvet and fluff the pillows.
• 1 minute: Quickly wipe surfaces or tidy up the desk.

✅ Why it works: It’s fast, achievable, and sets a positive daily habit without feeling overwhelming.

Maintaining Tidiness

The final step is getting your children to maintain the organised space. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Define “tidy”: Clearly explain your expectations to your children.
2. Establish a routine: Set a daily tidying time.
3. Make it a game: Turn tidying into a fun activity.
4. Offer praise and rewards: Acknowledge and reward their efforts.
5. Be a role model: Children learn by watching, so let them see you tidying up.
6. Don’t give up: Consistency is key. Keep encouraging your children and be patient.

Additional easy kids’ room organisation tips

• Layout your vision and purpose: Determine how you want the space to look, feel and be used.
• Empty the room: Remove everything to get a fresh perspective.
• Systemise: After decluttering, organise what’s left.
• Brain dump: Write down everything you want to do in the room to achieve your vision.
• Pick one project: Focus on one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• Make it easy: Ensure everything is easy to reach and put away.
• Label: Label shelves and containers, so kids know where things belong.
• Three-pile method: Have your child create three piles: toys, clothes, and other.
• Focus on progress, not perfection: Don’t get discouraged if the room isn’t perfect right away.

Keeping it Clean

While this article focuses on how to declutter a child’s room, here are some tips for maintaining cleanliness in your children’s bedrooms:

• Cleaning as a family: Involve the whole family in cleaning.
• Make it manageable: Break down cleaning tasks.
• Have the right supplies: Keep cleaning supplies handy.
• Be consistent: Clean regularly.

Embrace imperfection: A lived-in room won’t be perfect all the time.

By following these tips, you can create a more organised, stress-free, and happier environtment for your children. If you feel you could do with our help to declutter and organise your children’s bedrooms, get in touch with Vickys’ team below.

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