Every new parent wants things to be perfect when their bundle of joy arrives. Somewhere between that first day home and the toddler stage, however, organization seems to go out the window. The once clean nursery is now a disaster. The closet that was so empty with anything other than neatly hung clothes is now a giant, disorganized toy box. Remedying the situation can be a nightmare, but it doesn't have to be.
The first place to start is the closet in the toddler's room. Common sense, however, will be vital to employ as any alterations are made. Little ones get into things, especially toddling little ones!
Bin Toy Organizer
Creating a well-organized and safe closet in a toddler's room will require first going through everything. It's not necessary to keep every toy, stuffed animal, outfit or even card from the baby shower two years ago. What is necessary is making sure the closet works well for your needs and your child's, too.
Start working on the closet by pulling everything out and going through it. Don't be afraid to discard of things that are broken, no longer needed or that have never been used. If items are worth passing on, do so, but don't keep them around taking up space if they can't be used in your household.
Once the closet's contents have been removed and weeded out, it's time to separate the items into categories. Toys that need to be stored in the closet, for example, should go in one pile. Clothes should go in another. Things that absolutely must be hung should go into a third pile.
Now, examine what needs to go back into the space and see what alterations can be made for better organization. A small rod system for hanging clothes, for example, combined with a toy box and/or systems of shelves and drawers within the closet might work better than a straight rod system and no shelving.
As you examine the space available versus the storage needs, remember to do everything with a mind to how your toddler will see it. Their perspective is much different than an adult's. Since the closet belongs to your child, you won't want to put their favorite toy on the top shelves where he or she might be inclined to try and climb for it. Also, it's very important to ensure any shelving or drawer systems are properly anchored to prevent possible climbing injuries.
Creating a good closet system for a toddler can really help lessen clutter, but safety is paramount. Don't put favorite toys up where they can't reach, or they will try and climb. Don't create an unanchored shelving system, and be certain anything you don't want them to have isn't stored in their closet. With a little planning, your toddler's room and closet can both return to that pristine, well-organized nursery state.