Carpets & Flooring
CRI Articles
IEHA Articles
IICRC Articles
Features
Mommies and mommies-to-be: It seems to me that every other article offering tips on organizing your baby’s room/toddler’s room/ kid’s room, involves an investment in one or more organizing products. How about some tips on using what we already have? Raising a child is expensive in itself, and if you're like me, time and space are often quite limited. Here are some tips on how you can achieve the same goals of space maximization and decluttering by getting creative.
- Give your furniture multiple uses. For example, use your dresser as a changer, using the drawers to store your diapers, wipes, lotions, burp cloths etc., and using the top by placing a changing pad on it. If you want, paint the dresser a fun color and make it look baby pretty! The same dresser can be used when your baby is older to store clothes, blankets, socks etc. Cost Savings: A basic three drawer changing table and dresser costs about $250.00 while a changing pad won’t cost more than $50.00. You save $200.00!
- Even babies and young kids have seasonal wardrobes. You can re-use the same storage tub for two seasons; for example, label one side ‘winter clothes’ and the other ‘summer clothes.’ In the summer, store your winter clothes in it and have the winter label facing forward, and reverse in the winter. This way you don’t have to make room for four different bins. You can apply the same storage concept to other items too. Cost Savings: The average cost for a transparent, plastic storage bin at Walmart or Target is $15.00 and you would need two. A baby armoire or a small cupboard to fit all the seasonal clothes will cost perhaps $300.00. You save $240.00!
- Laundry baskets are a great way to store toys. Use your old laundry baskets to store different types of toys such as stuffed toys, cars, blocks etc. Train your toddler to be organized at an early age and make it easy for him/her by attaching a picture of the type of toy on the front of each laundry basket. Children are quick learners and with a little visual help they can do wonders. Teach your child about minimalism now! Cost savings: A simple nine bin storage toy rack at Target costs $35.00 vs. the mesh laundry baskets which start at $5.00 a piece. If you buy 2-3 baskets you still save $20.00, and if you re-use existing baskets you spend $0.00!
- Your tiny tots’ belongings hardly take up any space. Use your over-the-door hanging shoe organizer to store shoes, socks and other small items. This is a great way to compartmentalize and fit a lot of items in one area. Cost Savings: A small, basic dresser at Babies “R” Us is $400.00, while even a fancy canvas shoe bag with hooks from Crate And Barrel is $23.00. You save $377.00, not to mention the unused dresser/armoire space you gain as a result.
Babies are tiny, but their budget often not so much! Plan efficiently and only buy what you need. Try to reuse as much as possible and if you know you want to have more kids, plan their nursery/room by keeping your long term plans in mind!
Organizing Baby's Bedroom - Use Creativity Not Cash!: Created on July 9th, 2011. Last Modified on January 21st, 2014
