Make Room For Play
Transformative Tips for a Prettier Playroom
Ever walk into your child’s play space or bedroom and feel instant, paralyzing overwhelm? It could be due to a lack of order, an excess of toys, or something else entirely. Catalyst aside, one thing is true across the board: If it’s not working for us, it’s probably not working for our children either.
So in the spirit of upping our game this New Year, we asked Danielle Boerger, Owner and Lead Organizer at Simplify in Style, for some playroom organization hacks sure to overturn overwhelm.
1. Put It All Out There
Cackling triumphantly while filling an industrial-sized garbage bag with toys may seem tempting, but alas— our expert says there’s a better way.
“Your first step in any project would be to pull everything out and sort or categorize it,” says Boerger. “You can then edit one category at a time.”
With everything in plain view, it becomes easier to determine what should stay and what should go. That poorly-constructed toy truck your son received with a valentine two years ago? Safe to toss. For the iffy items, Boerger says it’s best to have your child help you in ways that are developmentally-appropriate.
“You don't have to involve them in the entire process, but start small with a simple task they can participate in,” Boerger says. “A great way to begin... is to give them a certain sized bin, [which] helps them to see and understand how many cars they can keep. They can help by choosing the cars to keep and put in the bin. The rest is donated.”
In the absence of a bin or basket, Boerger says specific quantities— 10 Barbie dolls, for example— make this task concrete, helping small children make sense of the process.
2. Repeat After Us: More is Not More
Contrary to what toy manufacturers would have us believe, playroom minimalism is where it’s at for caregivers and children alike.
“From a child’s perspective, walking into a playroom with a lot of choices and options can feel overwhelming,” says Boerger. “Fewer toys helps with easier decision-making.”
Much research supports this; a smaller number of available toys correlates to higher quality play and sustained focus— a win-win for developing brains.
This approach also frees up time for more play. “At the end of the playtime session, cleanup is much more manageable for both the child and the adult,” says Boerger.
But what about all of the cool toys Grandma just bought for Christmas? Additional, off-site storage space (and time!) permitting, we can rotate toys in and out to keep things fresh while keeping visible clutter under control.
3. Streamline Your Storage
Storage solutions have certainly evolved— gone are the days of the bulky Sterilite bins. Today’s products pull double-duty, optimizing form and function, especially for those tough-to-contain items.
One of Boerger’s favorites, the CreativeQT Stuff ‘N Sit, is dual purpose. “[It’s] a bean bag to store stuffed animals and can also be used as a bean bag for sitting once full.” Genius!
Another way to save space and maintain the flow of your design is to eliminate cumbersome packaging whenever possible. Boerger recommends these durable zippered pouches to re-home toys with many small pieces, like games and puzzles. This simple change makes a huge impact, freeing up space and simplifying cleanup.
Little creatives will love Boerger’s favorite artwork storage solution, Li’l Davinci Kids Art Frames. “This is a beautiful way to store kids' artwork, and they can easily open it to store and change out their artwork.” Each frame can store up to 50 creations, turning the spotlight on your child while controlling paper pileups.
4. Know When It’s Time To Dial Up The Pros
The idea of organizing a space—even with pro tips—can feel daunting, and that’s okay! It’s important that we know our strengths. Boerger and her team of professionals at Simplify in Style can help you categorize, edit, and reimagine your space to fit the needs of your family in this season and beyond. Existing clients can take advantage of their Buy More, Save More January special. To schedule a consultation, drop by their website or email their team at hello@simplifyinstyle.com.