Organize Your Kids’ Custom Closets in Just 7 Days This Summer

Any parent knows that keeping a kids’ custom closet in order is a challenging, ongoing task—especially if you have more than one child. As summer gets in full swing, now is a great time to tackle this project while your kids are free from schoolwork and other responsibilities.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get your kids’ custom closets in shape in just one week:

• Day One: Remove unwanted items
• Day Two: Clean the clothes and the closet space 
• Day Three: Categorize the clothes
• Day Four: Maximize the closet space
• Day Five: Decorate the space
• Day Six: Label everything and organize items
• Day Seven: Inspire good organizational habits

Read on to learn all about the simple steps you can take to get your kids’ closets organized in a single week.

Before you start organizing, go through your kids’ closets and weed out the clothes and accessories your children no longer want or need. Throw away any items that are too damaged to wear, and consider donating or selling items that are in good condition but are too small. It’s helpful to work with your children during this process, so you can determine which items they’re ready to get rid of. With a clean slate, it’ll be much easier to organize their closets.

Once you’ve removed all unwanted clothing and accessories, do a few loads of laundry to make sure your kids’ remaining wardrobe is clean. As your washer and dryer are working their hardest, clean each closet space thoroughly. Spend a few minutes vacuuming or sweeping the floor, wiping down the walls, and dusting any shelves or hanging rods.

After cleaning your kids’ clothing and accessories, spend a few minutes categorizing the remaining items. If cold-season clothes are in your kids’ closets, consider how you should store them away during the summer season and invest in garment bags if necessary. Categorize the remaining items in distinct sections, including tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes.

Take stock of the layout of your kids’ custom closets and determine a strategy to optimize the space. Now is the time to consider adding extra hanging racks, pull-out hampers, and any other features that could make it easier to keep these closets organized. Some helpful hacks for maximizing your kids’ closet space include:

• Use Vertical Space to Your Advantage: If your child's closet has high ceilings, you can use upper shelves to store items that are seasonal or not used frequently. Fabric or wire mesh drawers can be attached to the underside of a top shelf to store small items. Hanging shelves can also be used to take advantage of vertical space.
• Use Space-Saving Hangers: According to HGTV, switching to slimline hangers is a great way to make the most of your kids’ closet space. This type of hanger is designed to take up less space and keep clothes organized. Cascading hangers allow you to hang multiple clothes on a single hanger, freeing up space in the process. 
• Hang a Shoe Organizer: Closet organizers can make a big difference in maximizing space, especially hanging shoe organizers that hang on the back of the closet door. These space-saving hanging organizers can hold more than just shoes—invest in an option with multiple compartments to store small toys, socks, and other items.

Your kids’ custom closet doesn’t have to look plain and boring, and it’s easy to turn these small spaces into exciting areas your kids will love to use. Consider painting the walls your child’s favorite color or—if you’re pressed for time—simply put up some decals to add some fun details to the space.

After you’ve decorated and optimized your kids’ closet, it’s time to hang up and put away their wardrobe. As you hang up shirts and dresses and store away pants, socks, shoes, and more, make sure to label each drawer, shelf, basket, or hamper to make it easy for your kids to keep everything organized.

Teach your kids the importance of maintaining an organized closet. Encourage them to put items back where they belong, resist the urge to pile up clothes, and clean up after themselves. Regular reminders will make it second nature to your kids and become an automatic habit.

Getting your kids' custom closets in perfect order is something that every homeowner should consider. Not only does an organized closet provide peace of mind, but it also simplifies your kids' lives and promotes cleanliness around the house. The simple steps detailed above will get you there in 7 straight days. It’s a simple project that will instill the values of organization and cleanliness in your kids.

• https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/kids-closet-organizers-ideas-pictures