Ever feel like you have a burning home decor question, a need for advice? This is just the place for that. I am not a professional, by any means. But, I can google search things like no one’s business. I also am fortunate enough to have all of you, here, on my social media accounts that can offer up their own advice to questions asked. I am also friends with a lot of other DIYers and home decor obsessed peeps with blogs, I know a guy… . So if something stumps me I can turn to them for advice. What I am trying to say is I may not be perfectly qualified to give advice on my own, but with all of my other networks I can handle some questions from you all. If you have a question, need advice, a second opinion on paint colors, whatever email me at emilye1@gmail.com.
Today’s question comes from a reader on Facebook, no blog to promote. She just has a burning desire for organization….
“What’s your favorite way to keep the kiddo’s toys
organized? This is a constant struggle in our house!
My biggest piece of advice is to first purge any old toy’s. Go through and make sure there is no baby rattles for your no longer baby; littles. Make sure all toy’s are working, not broken and have all pieces necessary for them to play with it. Be sure to either have a rummage sale to make a few bucks off of those old toy’s (the baby ones, not the broken ones) or donate the toy’s. Once that is done you have a clean slate and you know what you are working with as far as toy amount.
Baskets, baskets everywhere. Bins, containers, whatever you want to call it. Get a ton. If you have a lot and think you don’t need anymore.. buy two more. Remember when Oprah gave away a car to every member in her audience? Chant like she did to all of the toy’s “You get a basket, and you get a basket, everyone gets a basket!!!!!!” It makes it more fun and like you have all the power, similar to Oprah.
I got these stripe bins from Target, or as I call it “Tar-jay”. Buy ’em and fill ’em. Easy peasy. I do have them organized with particular things in each one. This helps for clean up time. Everything has a place. My boy’s are organizing superstars. Caleb especially likes that each toy has a spot, and he is obsessive about finding and keeping that spot right. Him and I can drool over organization posts on Pinterest. He gets it.
These hanging car-like boxes I found at Goodwill. I have no clue where you could get some like this. However, a good DIYer could whip these up pretty easily. I am a DIYer to the extreme, but stumbled on these and loved them. We have all of our kids books in our study, but we get stragglers that make their way into the boy’s bedroom. So this is the spot they go. Eventually we sift through them and put them back in their original home.


Talking about organization without mention our huge organization station in the laundry room would just be wrong. I have a big time reveal coming soon. I am talking really soon, tomorrow to be exact! This houses papers, back packs, and anything school related. It is not toy’s either, but kids and their “stuff” show up everywhere. Staying on top of the mess and clutter is key to having these little people you call your children not overtake your home. Says me, the woman that rearranged her laundry room to make space for my kids and their “stuff” Nope, don;t let the kids overtake your home.

We have this wonderful space off of our kitchen. It is designed to be a breakfast room. But it is literal steps away from our dining room. We do not need two tables in such close proximity. Finding a space that works for you and your family to have kids be kids is important. It can be a bedroom, play room, nook in a hallway, one corner of the living room. Let them have at it (within reason). As my kids have gotten older the space for them has changed. We did have a massive playroom in the basement for all of the big toy’s they had. Now they are into lego, car’s, small dolls, books, and art. So the needs for my kids and family have changed. This room lets them do a few of those things. I may let my kids have free range of most art supplies, but I do not need to be put on a parental suicide watch. The art supplies are in the center of our home. Where I can see the mess made and step in when things are getting out of hand. Which never happens, they simply just get the art supply mess stomach bug. Weird affliction.
I hope I gave you all some ideas to organize for your kids. It is all about finding that balance of making the home work for them and you. No one wants to banish their kids to their room all the time. But no one wants the shelves in their living room to be decorated with the gang from Toy Story either. Hiding, every place has a home, and “You get a basket, you get a basket.” seems to work wonders for me, my kids and our home.
What are some things you do in your home to control the kid’s toy clutter? How many baskets do you have in your home? Be honest….
OMG yes I am the basket QUEEN! I have more baskets than I know what to do with but it honestly saves my house. It makes things so easy. I am in LOVE with your green yellow red basket idea, that is pure genius and I'm stealing it once Elliott gets a bit older :)))
I am basket crazy too and always have to just "look" when I am at a store. The color system for the art supplies has been a life saver for my kids and they really love and grasp the idea. Even my to younger ones that do not read yet understand the system flawlessly.
Also can't wait for the laundry room reveal!!
Thanks! The laundry room reveal is up! At least the mudroom portion of it. https://ourhousenowahome.com/2015/08/organization-station-reveal.html
We really try our best to "cycle out" the toys so that they're not all in the living room at once, and so that she doesn't get sick of them all at once. I've got 3 big open baskets in the living room and other hidden storage compartments (ottomans, etc) 🙂
I cycled out toys when I had smaller kids, they were so excited to see the toys that they forgot about. I love hiding toys in things that work for home decorating. Bringing the function into things.
I cannot handle you! You said that your kids threw up glitter that is too much and exactly what looks like happened. I am so happy you shared that picture because I was thinking that maybe your kids do not make messes. Glad to see it is not just me and my little ones.
I am so happy you enjoyed my joke about my kids weird stomach bug. I am sure most kids have it at some point. My house gets plenty messy, believe me!
It's hilarious that I came upon your blog today. I'm sitting in our kitchen / dining room surrounded by empty baskets, bins, tins, boxes, etc, all waiting to be filled. I brought them down last night, planning to start organizing the mess that is our downstairs, but to no avail!
Thanks for so many good ideas. I have a couple ideas about where I can start organizing today! 🙂
(Oh and just an FYI, there are lots of little typos in your post… "toy's" instead of "toys," etc. Sorry if I'm being pedantic! I guess the English major in me will never die, haha.)
I hope you get to use all of those bins for what you planned. I am glad you found this helpful. I will look into the small typos, sometimes I see them and sometimes I am just trying to rush and get the post done. Thanks for looking out.
great tips! I do not have the kids yet but I gonna share this with my friend who has – I am sure she'll appreciate your tips 🙂
Anyone with kids would like this advice I am sure. Having bins and baskets for things around the house can be helpful for anyone. Kids or no kids we all come with "stuff".
You can never have enough baskets imo. 🙂
Thanks for the tips 🙂
Baskets for everyone! I am happy you found the tips helpful.
I love this post! I don't have kids yet , but when I do this will be sooo helpful! I adore that little craft corner you have for the kids! So cute! Your pics are great!
Danielle Greco
AccordingtoD.com
Thank you! Everyone needs organization and baskets in their lives, kids or no kids.
Baskets on baskets on baskets! Love it! I also really love your creative space! So important for kiddos!
Thank you! That art corner has been a daily treat for my kids. I love seeing them just sit down and create.
Awesome post! I do the same in my home and everyone always asks, where's the mess with 3 kids?! I have just started a blog and love yours!
http://Www.gracehomelove.wordpress.com
With three kids you have to get creative with the potential mess. Cut it off before it explodes. I am so happy to have you here following along!