Does the thought of entering your children's room make you shudder?  Does the new school year and all the stuff that comes along with it make you think of the show Hoarders?   I have 5 of the top tips for kids organization that are both decorative and practical.

1. The classic closet.  If you don’t want to table the room, why not re-organize the closet and make it beautiful.  It could be as simple as painting the back wall of the closet and buying decorative baskets that are light weight like canvas so that the kids can pull them down and lift them up.  Closet systems are available at big box stores as well as the hardware store, so finding the right one for you should be a snap.  If you want to be extra theatrical you could replace the closet doors with bright and cheery curtains.

2. The trundle bed.  Using a trundle bed is brilliant for several reasons.  Not only can they offer extra sleeping arrangements for guests and additional siblings, but some provide storage.  Think about the trundle as having an additional bedroom in your house without the cost of a remodel.

3. Decorative solutions.  If buying a new bed or the DIY challenge of installing a closet is not on your list, why not update the room with decorative storage shelves.  They add personality to the room, and aid in keeping your kid clutter free.

4. A wall system.  If the sheer volume of stuff has taken over the closets the solution may be a wall system.  Like closet organizers, wall systems are sold from most catalogues these days and are genius for kids and adults.  You can usually pick and choose from a variety of shelves and drawers in multiple combinations that should fit any dimension.  The nice thing about using a simple white application is that it can grow with your child into middle and high school.  Finally, if by some chance they actually fly the nest, you can repurpose it for yourself in the form of a home office or craft space.

5. Portable storage.  However you want to spin this, toy chest or clutter bin, they are a classic.  If you don’t get too cute with a theme or color you can keep them anywhere around the house, from the bedroom to the basement and anywhere else you need storage.  Like the wall system, these bins can end up helping you out in an office or craft space later on.  Think of it as investing in your future.

Photos courtesy of lampsplus.com, storageforkids.net, kidsroomblog.blogspot.com, carsmach.com, blog.ceramiccreation.net, littleecofootprints.typepad.com