Storage in a Kid's Closet

A kid’s closet often becomes a toy graveyard, a play fort and a laundry nightmare. Learn how to incorporate the special needs of a child while keeping the closet neat enough for practical use.

First, consider what you absolutely need to keep in the closet. Because of the tipping hazard of dressers, many parents have eliminated bedroom furniture in children’s rooms. This may elevate the need for closet storage. Without a plan, this can quickly become a problem area. Kids have so many clothes. They often have lots of pajama sets. If they are potty training, they may have a lot of underwear or you may need storage for diapers and wipes in the closet. You may have sentimental outfits and dress clothes that you really want to keep hung.

You can keep the hanging bar in place and create space around it. Another option would be to cut two or three short bars, easily done with a pipe cutter, and make a multi-level hanging bar. You can make the first deep shelf about three or four feet high and build from there. An easy place to start would be to hang a fabric collapsible closet shelf system from the hanging bar to the shelf for things like socks, underwear, diapers, and pajamas. This option is preferable to some parents because it is easily removed and replaced when the needs of the child changes.

You can also build cubby-hole shelves up each side of the large bottom shelf. Three-sided movable shelves that are easily moved around are also great for creating an extra level of storage on the large shelf. You can even invert the three-sided shelf and attach it with L-brackets to the top shelf, creating a hanging shelf for things that you want to keep out of reach, such as first-aid kits, games with a lot of pieces or children’s paints.

Smaller cubby-hole shelves are great for storing games and toys, extra batteries and keepsakes. You can create all kinds of storage while still leaving the bottom of the closet empty. Here you can keep a laundry basket, large stuffed animals, or build more shelves. Leaving this area clear allows your child to climb in and play. You could even paint windows with views in the bottom of the closet. Add a battery powered light under the bottom shelf, a couple of pillows, and your kids have a special place to play. Make sure that you do not place lamps or other lights that create heat inside of a child’s closet.

Hang those special outfits and dress clothes out of reach up high on the bar. Use the top shelf for blanket and suitcase storage. Bins with children’s sheets or out of season clothing can be stored up high where they do not get rummaged through or dumped out. This is a good place to store clothes that your child hasn’t grown into yet. You can easily access them when the time comes to put them into the rotation. Use baby hangers to protect the precious items that you hang. Conventional hangers are made for adult clothing. They can snag, stretch and tear delicate little kids’ clothing. This is a closet that you and your child will enjoy for years to come.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of Only Kids Hangers, a leading provider of baby hangers. The right infant hangers really make the difference in kid's retail or home organization. For more information, please visit www.onlykidshangers.com.