Close Quarters
Use these tips to organize bedrooms shared by kids.
By Julie Steed
Location, location, location! My family loves to live in base housing. The perks are plentiful, but the square footage of most government quarters is not. When we realized we needed more space, our children eagerly agreed to share a bedroom (I admit, we bribed them with new bunk beds) and voila, we had an entire room to use for other purposes. But another challenge arose — controlling the clutter in the girls’ small bedroom.
Lori Spies, owner of Absolutely Organized in Kansas City, MO, has some great tips for getting bedroom clutter straightened out. She also suggests ways that military families can organize small spaces using items that can be used in this home and the next one. Military moms and kids chime in to share what works for them.
Use vertical space in a small room. “In this situation, I recommend installing bunk beds. Be sure to utilize as much horizontal space as you can to contain belongings,” says Spies. Keep toys and clothes in designated places so that the floor does not become messy, thus making the space feel and appear much smaller.
Designate a zone for each child. Zones are off-limits to other siblings and provide a place for personal items to be stored. Mattie, Air Force daughter, uses a bin on her top bunk to store books and personal treasures. The bin (and her bed) is off limits to her younger sister.
Use multipurpose containers when possible. “Think of anything that can serve a dual purpose in the bedroom; a toy chest is also a sitting bench,” says Spies. Visit yard sales and thrift stores for inexpensive items that can be replaced or repurposed move after move.
Control closet chaos by giving each child a portion of the closet space. Sarah, Army spouse and mom of three, designates a closet shelf for each of her children. Optimize space by storing out-of-season clothing in another location.
Mix and match containers and bins of all styles for an eclectic, fashionable look. Shop for furnishings at Ikea, Target and Walmart. “Items here are relatively smaller in size and more easily suited to different spaces,” says Spies.
Consider the needs of each child. Melissa, Air Force spouse and mom of three, placed a desk in the room shared by her daughters. When the oldest needs a quiet place for homework, her sister plays elsewhere.
Create a place for toys. “A key element to organizing a shared bedroom for young children is to utilize containers for toys,” says Spies. Label containers with words or photos so that children can participate in cleanup and help keep the room free of clutter.
Experiencing A Toy Take-Over?
Try using a toy rotation system. Place a few toys in a bedroom or common room. Store the other toys in the garage, a closet or other out-of-sight location. Rotate toys out of storage every week or two, and your child will have something “new” to play with on a regular basis.