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KidSmart Home Organization and Stylish Storage Ideas
Untitled Document
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
See our selection
of storage boxes and baskets |
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.
Also, this space is 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
See our
selection of KidSmart kitchenwares |
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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
See our wall-mounted shelves and sconces
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
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
See our selection
of ledge and sconce shelves
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 should not have lids if accessible 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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