8 Ways to Declutter Your Child's Room

Sort Through Clutter

• Sort through your child's belongings to cut down on clutter. Sort items into four piles: one pile of items to keep, one to give away, one to throw away and one to store. Keep beloved toys and clothes that are in season, in good condition and fit well. Throw away clothes that are in poor condition, such as the shirt with the hot chocolate stain. Likewise, toss any toys that are broken and cannot be fixed. Give away clothes and toys that your child has outgrown. Store clothes that are out of season or items that are rarely used.

Tackle the Toybox

• Most children's rooms are full of toys that get shoved into the toy box and are rarely used. To cut down on clutter, pull out some of the unloved toys at the bottom of the toy box and hide them away in a plastic container on a top shelf or in another storage area of your home. After a few months, rotate the toys. Place the toys currently in the toy box in the storage tote and replace them with the toys from storage, suggests the website Organized Home.

Hooks and Hanging Organizers

• Use hooks and hanging organizers to get items off the floor. Place hooks around the room for your child to hang her book bag, purses and favorite hooded jacket. Use over-the-door hangers with pockets to hold dolls and doll outfits, hair accessories or toy cars. Create hanging pouches to hold books and magazines, recommends Good Housekeeping.

Storage Containers

• Use clear storage containers to house your child's belongings. Clear containers make organization easy because your child can see what belongs inside each container without having to pull it down from a shelf or open it. Choose containers that stack together easily.

Labels

• Use labels to keep your child's room organized. Place labels on all storage boxes, hanging organizers and shelves. Help your child remember how to put things away by color-coding the labels.

Closets

• Keep closets clutter-free by making them kid-friendly. Use low shelves for items your child uses often. Place items that are out of season on higher shelves out of reach, so that your child will not pull them out on a daily basis. Use hangers that are made for children's clothing, and show your child how to properly hang his clothes, suggests the website Organized Home.

Creative Storage

• Find creative ways to extend the storage space in your child's bedroom. Use floating shelves to display your child's favorite original art pieces. Hang a bulletin board with colorful pushpins to avoid piles of papers and notes. Use the space beneath your child's bed to house storage boxes filled with out of season clothing or last year's school work. Purchase furniture that does double duty: storage benches with cushions on top for seating, for example.

Teach the Kids

• Organizing the clutter is just the first step. Now you must teach your child how to keep his room clean and clutter-free. Keep things simple so that your child can take care of the room on his own. Set up a cleaning schedule for your child to follow each week, and encourage him to clean up after himself daily.