KidSmart Solutions: Home Organization and Stylish Storage Ideas

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!

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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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