There are really simple little things you can do to a kids closet to help it look, feel and function better for you and your family.  Here are 8 kids closet organization tips you can use in a closet big or small.

You know you’ve hit a home run on a space makeover when the 7 year old proclaims, “I feel like a princess with this closet!”

Little does she know, a princess would have a much larger closet with a few more tiara’s.  But if I can make her feel like her standard size wardrobe was fit for royalty, you can too!  Today I am partnering up with one of my favorite online shops, Joss & Main, to show 8 easy ways you can make a kids closet (or your closet!) look, feel and function better.

First, let me give you a glimpse at what this closet space looked when it was a neglected, lonely space and this basement room was used only for storage.

We have set out to makeover this space to use it for our girls bedroom, and I knew the shelving and layout of the closet would not function well for 2 kids.  After ripping out what was in place and doing a different wall treatment with a fresh coat of paint, we had a blank slate to work with.

After researching many closet systems to install, I landed on the perfect one from Joss & Main.  It had everything I needed with the shelves, drawers, upper and lower rods.  After the easy installation, I could really start to have fun organizing!

8 TIPS FOR KIDS CLOSET ORGANIZATION

1 – LESS IS MORE

When it comes to closet space, most of us are limited by square feet and need to keep only what we really wear frequently.  But even if you have space to spare, your closet is going to look and function much better for you if you do a thorough sort and clean before any organization begins.

Consider storing away clothes that are out of season, and donating those items you haven’t worn for ages.  For kids, this is especially important.  They grow quickly and are tough on clothes, so clean out the unwanted items – lest they come out dressed for a special event in an outfit from your nightmares.  In our case, I can’t seem to get them to realize what clothes to wear when it’s cold and hot, so removing those unseasonal items is crucial.

2 – MAP OUT YOUR ORGANIZATION

Before any work begins, get a pencil and paper and map out where things will go.

If the space is shared, clearly define whose side is whose.  Decide exactly what you have room for and where each item will go.  For us, this meant dresses and long shirts on top, shirts on bottom, a space for leggings, pants, socks, panties, undershirts, etc.  I had it all planned before I even began.

3 – MAKE USE OF THE DOORS

Bi-folds are my enemies.  I know they take up less space when left open, but we’ve had one too many pinched fingers and I’ve found that regular doors can actually provide useful storage themselves.

We bought inexpensive flat paneled doors to replace the bifold’s, and used a shoe organizer to house their stuffed animals.

Shoe organizers can also be used for shoes (go figure), socks, accessories and other closet storage items – so don’t look past this useful surface!  I even shared how we custom tinted some chalkboard paint and turned our closet doors into the perfect color of chalkboards!

Hours and hours have been spent playing with these doors and is my kiddos favorite part of the whole space.

4 – DRAWER SECTIONS

Divide and conquer those drawers!  What I loved about this closet system from Joss & Main was that it had drawer space included.  I knew I could successfully find a home for all their daily wardrobe needs if I had a few drawers.

To make the most of drawer space use dividers to separate items, avoid heaping piles, and so your kids clearly know where things go and where to find them.  This closet is not this mama’s first rodeo.  I know it will not stay this tidy and perfectly folded, but as long as the kids can put away their laundry in the right sections, I’ll be a happy mama.  So far, we’ve had great success with the dividers.

My kids fold and put away their own laundry, and they love to know exactly where each item goes.

We’ve defined a space for panties, socks, and undershirts.

There are places for their leggings, pants and shorts.

Tip:  When those pants get too big to fold, try rolling them to save on space.

5 – COHESIVE HANGERS

Up until this closet makeover, I had a mixture of cheap plastic hangers.  They were always breaking when the kids would pull off their clothes, and it really looked messy.  The impact of these more quality built and cohesive hangers is probably my favorite feature of the closet.

The velvet fabric makes it so the shirts don’t slip off easily, they don’t break, and they look so very nice all in a row.  I predict I won’t be buying any more hangers for a long time.  I wish I would have realized this years ago and saved myself the money from buying loads and loads of hangers that break on a dime.

6 – CLOSET DIVIDERS

If you haven’t already snagged my free “Days of the Week” closet divider printable, be sure you subscribe to get access to my printable library.

We now take a few minutes each Sunday to work up their wardrobe for the week, and my little ones know exactly what to wear and are ready quicker in the morning with less nagging from mom.  Simply put, they have saved our mornings!  What’s even better, I can clearly see when I need to get their laundry done, or when I can buy myself more time.

Fill out the form below to get your free printable or read more about the dividers and how to print, HERE.

*Already a subscriber?  No need to fill out the form again.  Access to the library is on each email I send.

7 – BASKETS

Most closet spaces have shelves – which is great until the stuff and shove method takes over.

I’ve found baskets to be the solution to that problem, and I make sure that the baskets fill the shelf so they don’t assume there are places left for all their little trinkets.

8 – LABELS

I am never disappointed with the results from labelings.  I think kids love to have the expectations clearly spelled out for them and you will be amazed by their abilities to put things where they belong when there are labels!

Print sticky labels for the interiors of their drawers and label the baskets with inexpensive craft store tags, and you’ll always know where to find what you are looking for.

There you have it!  8 ways to help your kids closets look, feel and function better.  Do you have any other tips for us?  I’d love to hear them in the comments below!

Shop the items in this post below, and start now to rethink your closet spaces!  (Affiliate links included.  Thank you!)

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