If you’re wondering how to organize a nursery, there are a number of factors to consider. If you take the time to plan it properly, it will pay off for them and for you.
Think of the time they save when they have easy access to everything they need, be it their school uniform or their favorite games. Smart nursery ideas or simple toy storage solutions can also increase their independence as they can find their stuff on their own instead of asking you every time.
Not only that, studies show that when a child’s environment is calm and organized, it also helps them stay calm and organized. The old adage tidy desk, tidy mind applies just as much to children as it does to adults.
‘Setting up a nursery doesn’t have to be complicated,’ says interior designer Caroline Milns of Zulufish. “Depending on the size of the room, I would loosely divide it into sleeping, storage, study and play areas.”
How do you organize a children’s room?
1. Maximize space for storage
Credit: Zuluvis
‘The more storage solutions, the more organized a room will be,’ says Caroline, who knows how to furnish a children’s room. “Make use of every nook and cranny to create hidden cabinets, drawers, or secret storage for the kids to enjoy.”
“Drawers are better organized than shelves because you can pull them out and see everything,” says Caroline. “And instead of deep drawers, shallow drawers where you can put their clothes so they can find their own stuff too,” adds Caroline.
2. Arrange Books For Easy Reading Before Bedtime
Credit: Future / Anna Stathaki
A handy method that can be used in playroom ideas too – sort their books and pass them on to charities or younger siblings, unless they’re collectibles you want to keep. Separate reference or textbooks from fiction.
Building shelves by the bed makes their favorite storybooks easy to access when they’re stored and you want to read with them.
“Bookshelves at different heights, starting low so smaller children can stack books is helpful,” says Caroline. “For younger kids who stack shelves in the front so that the fronts of the books can be seen, they can see which books they want to read.”
3. Hang Favorite Items
Credit: Ben Anders
Here you see some of the bedroom ideas from these guys, you can always use the walls with vertical storage solutions. “Kids always have different sports equipment, party outfits, dress up boxes, school uniforms and everyday clothes to store, regardless of their age,” says Caroline. ‘So make sure you have enough hanging space, shelves and drawers that are not too deep, so that things don’t get lost.’
4. Use steps for storage
Credit: James Merrell
Small or clumsy spaces don’t have to be a barrier to an organized nursery, but you’ll need to think creatively. These girls’ bedroom ideas show what can be achieved.
“If you’re lucky enough to have an attic space above the nursery, consider using this space to create a mezzanine where you can create a separate study or study area,” says Caroline. “Storing in steps is also a great tip when it comes to maximizing any extra inches.”
5. Create a cool study space
Credit: Zuluvis
Ideal for use in teen bedroom ideas is the introduction of a built-in desk. Creating a cool, calm and quiet study space where children can do their homework will encourage them to get on their knees, increase self-discipline and help them learn.
‘It’s important to separate work and play zones,’ says Caroline. “Adding a separate study area as soon as they go to school also helps future-proof the bedroom as studying becomes more important and frequent as children get older.”
6. Involve children
Credit: Future/Paul Massey
“We show clients and their children the first mood boards so they can feel involved and highlight favorite design ideas for starting points,” says Caroline. We also always develop the palette with them so that they will like the finished scheme.’ As seen here in this great example of bedroom ideas for little boys, showing off your child’s personality can really help them have a space they want to keep.
‘We have designed magnetic wallpapers that are extremely popular. They are fun and patterned walls look good too. We use the walls with vertical storage solutions so kids can add their own memorabilia to the walls to personalize their room and keep it organized,” she adds.
7. Build Up
(Image credit: Future)
Bunk beds are not a new idea, but they have become more and more popular in recent years and any space other than the floor is worth using as a sleeping zone, giving you more room for toy storage ideas for kids.
“Bunk beds are extremely popular and space-saving, giving you the extra bed for sleepovers or joint siblings,” says Caroline. “Those with a desk underneath instead of another bed, high bunks with stairs to go up and a slide to get down, a den underneath, or themed designs are great options.”
8. Make storage easy and fun
Credit: Future/Paul Massey
If you’d rather not spend precious time cleaning up toys, make it easy and fun for kids to put away, like these felt buckets in this project from Jo Berryman. You could use one of the best laundry baskets as they are ideal for lego, plastic bricks and other small items.
“Using baskets and boxes in spaces in a room works really well,” says Caroline. “Label them with what goes with it (a photo tag is good for younger kids), and make every place accessible to the child so they can easily get what they want and put it away when they’re done with it.”
9. Keep it simple
Credit: Zuluvis
Think ahead and keep the joinery design simple and the colors neutral. That way, it can adapt more easily as they get older.
‘The upholstery and furnishing can be updated more cost-effectively than custom wardrobes or cabinets,’ says Caroline.
10. Use awkward angles for shelving
Credit: Future/Chris Tubbs
Closets and storage are essential to keeping a child’s room neat and organized, but it doesn’t have to be boring.
“The design can be funky, fun and colorful while providing great storage solutions,” says Caroline. “Don’t be afraid to be bold with color, especially with paint and wallpaper, which are easier to replace. We love funky finishes in cabinets and niches.’