10 ways to organise your kids’ playroom for 2023!
Happy New Year! Wow, that went quickly didn’t it! It seems like I was just decorating the tree around early December, I blinked, and woke up in 2023!
I don’t know about you but this year, in our household, Father Christmas was under strict instructions to be more about quality than quantity and we made a pact with my husband to be more minimalist about what we (sorry, I mean, Santa) would leave under the tree. Definitely gone are the days where my three kids had 30+ gifts each to open, a 5am frenzied wrapping paper ripping session and piles of new ‘stuff’ gathering dust all over the house during the rest of the holiday. Last year, I realised they use their Christmas gifts for a few days, then proceed to abandon them on the dining table until someone (read: me) clears everything up and stores all the new toys in the already overflowing playroom. This year, we were militant and each of the kids had one ‘main’ gift and a handful of surprises in their stockings and some new books. That was it… I expected a riot but in reality it worked out really well. Christmas day was much less manic, we didn’t have to fill a whole recycling bin with used wrapping paper and the more meaningful gifts have been a total hit so far…
One thing I always do at the start of the year (and at the end of the summer!) is to reorganise the kids playroom (and usually my workspace too while I am on a roll!) and I thought I’d share my 10 easy tips on how to get your kids toys under control and organised!
DECLUTTER & DONATE
Obvious start but absolutely crucial to get started. I used to get the kids involved in this process to make sure I didn’t get rid of anything they would be upset about but they tend to try and keep EVERYTHING the second you mention the word donate. I have learned my lesson over the years and now do the decluttering when they are out of the house or asleep. A great locally based website is TOYIT - and allows you to list any unwanted toys for donation or resale.
2. ZONING OUT
A good way to start organising the space you’ve dedicated to play is by creating zones depending on what your kids are into - reading, playing, storage, toy display and arts & crafts for example. Our tiny playroom is less than 15 square meters and still has 5 clear zones that are dedicated to each activity.
3. SMART STORAGE
The key rule is to have a space for every toy and item and easy access to it. No compromise. If there is not space to store it then it can be donated. That way you don’t end up in an endless cycle of overwhelming clutter which prevents everyone from finding the toys they actually want to play with. Low level storage units with drawers or transparent bins is a great option as well as front facing book shelves. Wall mounted storage is also a great way to use as much vertical space as possible while keep floorspace free for play. I am a big fan of the PLATSA, NORDLI drawers and BESTA cabinet ranges at IKEA. And don’t get me started on the TROFAST storage solutions which I have used in almost every playroom redesign I have worked on…
4. LABELS - IT’S A SYSTEM!
I have used these Amazon ready made labels for our playroom and it’s been LIFE-CHANGING! I would strongly recommend checking out The Home Edit range of storage bins and accessories.
And if you need customised labels then head immediately to Dubai-based The Label Souq.
I went one step further recently (call me craaaazy!) and treated myself to this little label printer gem before the Christmas break and have since reorganised and labelled every item in my office and I am not mad about it!
5. OPEN-ENDED TOYS
We have tried to limit as much as possible the purchase of so called ‘one and done toys’ (those more flashy ones usually needing batteries and clear instructions… LOL which kids get bored of very quickly) to focus on ‘open-ended toys’. Think building blocks, dolls and dress-up accessories, animal figurines, puzzles, train sets etc. These are usually also much easier to store as they come in different parts that can be assembled and easily taken out to play.
6. TOY ROTATION
Keeping some surfaces clear for toy rotation is a great way to keep kids interested and make sure they play regularly with most of their toys, even those stored in cupboards and cabinets. Changing the ones displayed every few weeks will breathe a new life into their collection and make them rediscover some toys and games they forgot they had.
7. THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF MESH ZIPPER BAGS
I was introduced to this simple yet extraordinary storage concept by The Savvy Space and it’s saved about a third of our TOTAL storage space in just one swoop. Mesh zipper bags to store puzzles and card games. If you haven’t seen how it works, just stop reading and immediately watch their video tutorial to see this simple yet ridiculously clever storage solution. Our record has been to store 50 puzzles in one cabinet!
8. LEAVE ROOM FOR EXPANSION
It’s all well and good to try and be minimalist but at the end of the day, with birthdays, grandparents (!) and just life in general, new toys will undoubtedly start creeping back into your beautifully curated system so my advice is to make sure you leave room for expansion when you get your system in place. This means at least one empty drawer, one empty bin, one empty shelf or one empty basket or crate and some customisable labels at hand. It could become a second set for an existing category or a whole new type of toys and you’ll sure be ready for it!
9. MAKE IT PRETTY
I am not going to lie, nailing the perfect balance of aesthetic and functionality in a playroom dominated by primary-coloured plastic toys is definitely not easy but it’s absolutely possible! A mix of closed and open storage is key - there are some items that you definitely want to be able to hide behind a cabinet door… as is an overall design scheme and colour palette for the room that’s been thought through. A beautiful wallpaper or bold wall colour is a great start. A statement, colourful soft rug is a great way to add texture and a bit of personality. Even if you have a toddler and need a soft playmat on the floor, there are so many stylish options available and not a multicolour alphabet play mat tile in sight!
10. ASK THE EXPERTS FOR HELP
If reading all of the above has simply given you some mild anxiety attack or the thought of getting started is too overwhelming then why not consider roping in an expert to sort it all out for you? I cannot recommend the Savvy Space enough. I worked with their team on so many occasions, both for personal and client projects, and they’ve nailed it every single time. And of course, the Stella + the Stars is just an email away for all your styling related need aka magically putting it all together without you having to lift a finger!
What do you think of our top tips? And how do you feel about tackling your kids room in the new year? Ready to take the plunge yourself? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!