12 months of decluttering - Kids closets

Having your kid help you set up his closet will save everyone time and headache!  Setting up a system tailored to her also sets up a system for your child to put away and receive her clothing on her own!  Set aside two hours for this project.

In this post you'll find

1. Steps to de-cluttering and setting up the closet. 
2. Supply ideas. 
3. A look at my girls' closets.

Set up
1. Put a sheet on the ground to keep the clothes clean as you sort, or use a made bed for your sorting area.
2. Have one trash bag for trash and one for donation.  Have a box or tub handy for clothes you will be handing down to a younger sibling.  If you plan to consign your clothes in the near future, designate a box for that.  You'll also need a spot for the keepers.


Clear out the closet
1. Start on the floor, move to the top, then to the hanging clothes.

Ask your kid
1. Facilitate the decision making by asking her/him, "Do you wear this?"
2. No's go into the Donate, Hand Down, or Consign pile if they're in good condition.  If you wouldn't buy it in its condition then trash it.
3. Her answer is "no" but she wants to keep it for memory's sake = Goes in her memory box.  
4. Yeses go in the keep pile.  She can't decide?  Ask, "When was the last time you wore this?"  More than a year = Donate, Hand Down, or Consign.
5. If it's been less than a year and it's in season = keep.

Get it out
1. Get the donations and consignment piles ready to go out the door.
2. Call the consignment store you plan to take your clothes to.  Ask what they are taking now and find out their hours of operation.  Sort accordingly.  Put those into a bin, separate from off-season weather clothing.  Give away your clothes that are not in the right season because holding onto them for longer doesn't solve your space problem.
3. Get the donations and consignment items into your car and plan when you will deliver them.  Put it in your calendar.
4. Move the hand-me-downs into the younger sibling's room.  These can be dealt with as you repeat this process in their bedroom closet.

Put it away
1. Next you'll put the keepers back into the closet or dresser.  Ask your child how he would like to find his clothes.  Does she like them folded or hanging?
2. As your child helps put clothing away, ask her:  "Do you like to arrange your clothes by color or style?"  Depending on the answer ask even more questions to get your child thinking and taking ownership over how they want to find what they are looking for.  This is their system, not yours!  Going with their system means more independence for both of you.  You are teaching your child an awesome skill!  So ask questions and back off.
3. If she has accessories like belts, hats, or tights, ask your child where she wants those kept.  Hooks that hang at their level can be key here!

Out of season 
1. If you have high shelves your child can't reach, use them for sheets, out-of-season clothing, or bins that you can easily pull down.

Stand back.  Admire your work together.  Make sure he can reach what he needs.  Review where everything is with your child.

Container suggestions:

If your kid likes to wear jewelry, this jewelry file will keep it visible, organized and contained.  It's two-sided, hangs on a clothing bar and swivels.

Using an over-the-door pocket system can help keep accessories of all kinds visible, organized, and contained.  

Use a simple scarf holder to also store tights!  What a great idea for the dancer!

Use curved shelf dividers to help keep items organized.

Use a container at the bottom of the closet for shoes if that's what works best for your kid.

If you have to store next season's clothes in the closet consider using compression vacuum bags!

A look into my kids' closets

 These shelves would be worthless without these dividers!  Labels help on the edges are easy visual reminders of what goes where.

 Dresses - her fave, are at easy reach.

 My husband's childhood snake (he made it with his DAD!) serves well for shrugs and such.

 We choose my five year old's clothes the night before and hang them here outside of her closet with her chosen pair of shoes, undies, socks...whatever she needs to be fully clothed.

 A simple shoe box works for her.

In my one year old's closet I have these fantastic tubs labeled, "Next" and "Outgrown".  It's a huge help to have a home for these two categories.  Once they are full I can do what I need with them!