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|  |   KidSmart Solutions: Home Organization and Stylish Storage Ideas
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Whether you have one busy toddler or three active kids,
sometimes your home just feels ready to burst at the seams. Our advice:
Take a moment to see where you can add space to help organize the things
you just can't seem to live without.
Remember... Look
IN, Look UNDER, Look ON and Look UP
- to find the space you need… it's usually there... and here's how you
can add to it with style!
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Look IN - the
Closet
Look IN - a Shelf Unit
Look IN - Large Furniture
Look UNDER
- the Bed
Look UNDER -
Leggy Tables
Look UNDER
- the Kitchen Desk Area
Look ON - the
Wall
Look ON -
Tabletops
Look
UP - Above the Window and Around the Room
Look UP - Above Kitchen Cabinets
Look OUT!
- Storage Safety Tips!
Look OUT!
- Skirted Table Safety!
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Look IN
- the Closet
A "closet review" is a good way to rethink home organization. First
things first, clean out and simplify. Get rid of those forgotten 15-year-old
jackets. Then maximize the space!
Usually, about 2-3 feet is wasted in the top of a closet -- or things
are precariously perched on the over-rod shelf. Double this shelf
space by adding storage baskets, storage cubes or an additional shelf
with baskets or boxes tucked underneath. Not only will you have more
space, but it will be much easier to access the things you need.
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| Before
-- EEK! |
After
-- Lots of Space! |
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If you have extra rod space in
your closet, add a hanging shelf set right from the bar
(we like the sturdy milk-crate style made by Mainstays -- $9.99 at WalMart).
This can serve as storage for linen, mittens, videos, and toys. The kids
can access the 2-3 lower shelves, saving the upper 1-2 for Mom and Dad.
The inside door of a closet is a great place to add space. An over-door
shelf set can store about 100 videos or video games, CD's or other odds-and-ends.
Again, reserve the lower portion for the kids and the upper for Mom and
Dad. Clear plastic or see-through net over-door pockets are great, too.
Try one on the front of a kid's closet door - it's great for displaying
a beanie baby collection -- or on the back of the bathroom door to tuck
hair accessories. Back
to Top
Look IN
- a Shelf Unit
A shelf unit can provide quite a bit of storage when fitted with an assortment
of storage cubes to accommodate toys, videos, clothing, etc… As a safety
precaution, be sure the unit is secured to the wall using a furniture
strap, and that the shelves are secure in the unit. See
more about Shelf Safety. Back to
Top
Look IN - Large Furniture
Large armoire-style furniture can be fitted with shelves and drawers,
or even completely repurposed as desk areas or linen closets. Take the
inside measurements of the piece to a home improvement store to discuss
the fitting of plain shelves or pre-made products into the space. You'll
be amazed at the results! Back to Top
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Look
UNDER - the Bed
There are all types and heights of underbed storage boxes made to easily
store everything from wrapping paper to sweaters to toys. Using this space
wisely can be a real space and time saver.
Short on underbed space? You can add underbed space to standard bed frames
by adding sturdy Bed Rizers to lift the bed, making room for storage baskets
and boxes.
One
KidSmart underbed toy storage idea we've found is an open-top square
rolling basket for toys and games. These are especially great for
small children because they're easily accessed and toys can be easily
seen, as compared to digging through a toybox. Two will fit under
a standard crib or twin bed.
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One of our favorite SmartLiving solutions is to create
a "rolling wrap center" using two plastic underbed storage boxes with
wheels and removable lids. Stock one with wrapping paper, gift bags, assorted
boxes (flattened) and tissue paper. Stock the other with ribbon, tape,
to/from labels and other quick gift decorations - as a safety precaution,
include scissors only if your children are older than four. Back
to Top
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Look
UNDER - Leggy Tables
Put a plain laundry basket under a skirted table for easy storage
or quick toy cleanup. Make sure the skirt is secured so Jr. doesn't
pull it off. See table skirt safety tips below
Also try adding stacking storage baskets, hatboxes and luggage-style
storage decor under both coverec and uncovered tables for added storage
-- good for toys, magazines, videos and CD's.
Back to Top |
Look
UNDER - the Kitchen Desk Area
Many homes have an unused desk area, usually in or near the kitchen.
To create additional space without installing a new cabinet, add an
inexpensive drawer set or a shelf set with storage baskets or boxes.
This space is also a good place to keep a household step-stool or
small utility or craft cart. Just be sure whatever is placed in this
area is safe for small hands.
Back to Top |
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Look
ON - the Wall
Add wall mounted shelves anywhere you can for safe, stylish storage
and display solutions.
See more
about wall-mounted shelves and shelf safety
Add wall-mounted cabinets in bathrooms and utility rooms to add space
for products that need to be kept out of sight and away from small,
curious hands. You can also use inexpensive stacking plastic drawers
to neatly organize household tools and gadgets on utility room shelves
and for cosmetic and medicinal products in bathroom closets. Back
to Top |
Look
ON - Tabletops
Use lots of good-looking lidded/stacking boxes to stylishly stash
all sorts of things that find their way into living and family rooms.
Back to Top |
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Look UP - Above the Window
and Around the Room
A simple piece of wood and two inexpensive wall sconces or curtain rod
sconces can make a great over-the-window display and storage shelf. And
a high shelf extending the entire length of the room can add drama - and
quite a bit of extra space. Use stacking boxes and baskets (photo/video
boxes, too) to add stylish storage on high shelves. You can safely display
fragile collections away from busy toddlers here, too. Back
to Top
Look UP - Above Kitchen Cabinets
The above-cabinet space in the kitchen is often open - especially in newer
homes. This area is a good place to store rarely used mixing bowls or
serving platters, and can support stacked baskets and boxes filled with
things that need to be kept and stored, but not necessarily put away in
the attic. Back to Top
Look OUT!
- Storage Furniture Safety Tips!
When using storage ottomans and the newer storage-style furniture, remember
that little fingers can get caught in the lift lids (and the lids can
be a choking hazard, too). Install small furniture lid dampening devices
and/or secure lids with an appliance strap in a discreet area until children
are at least three years old.
See our selection
of furniture and appliance straps
Toyboxes lids can be a hazard to children under the age of three.
Lids can be a choking hazard and may pinch or crush little fingers and
hands. Remove the lid until the youngest child is over the age of three,
then you may still want to add a dampening device to prevent accidents.
Also, be sure a toybox has adequate ventilation in case it becomes a hiding
place. Back to Top
Look OUT! -
Skirted Table Safety!
Skirted tables made from inexpensive decorator rounds can be a little
tricky during the toddler years. First check your tables to make sure
they are stable enough to withstand pulling-up -- and only use tables
with four legs, not three. If they check out, the second step is to secure
the fabric table skirt to the table. For inexpensive decorator rounds
use stick-on velcro on the fabric and table. On nicer tables, use a non-skid
rug mat cut to size to hold the fabric in place. Don't use a glass top
over the fabric during the toddler years unless you use edge clamps, the
glass can too easily be pulled off and broken.
Skirted tables are great for hiding a laundry basket full of toys, but
only if the table - and the items on it - do not pose a threat to your
child. Back to Top
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