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Like Peas in a Pod

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Placing siblings in a shared bedroom is a big deal. Space within the house is freed for other purposes, but now your kids are expected to share a room that is often seen as a place of refuge. While a fully peaceful existence may be impossible, creating a harmonious space is entirely doable.

 

Lori Spies, owner of Absolutely Organized in KCMO, offers tips for getting bedroom clutter straightened out. Moms also share ideas that work.

 

Talk It Out

Expert Advice: Talk with your children to determine their needs and expectations. Tweens and teens in particular may have specific needs for personal space and a desire to decorate a certain way. “Get input from those sharing the space,” suggests Spies, “What are their ideas to make for a pleasant experience?” Determine together which ideas can be implemented and create mutual ground rules to be followed at all times.

Moms Recommend: Melissa, mom of three, placed a desk in the room shared by two of her daughters. When the oldest needs to use the desk for homework, her sister plays elsewhere. The bedroom provides a quiet place for study and concentration.

 

Toy Round Up

Expert Advice: Parents may place young children in a room together to encourage camaraderie. Kids this age may enjoy the company of their sibling, but two kids in one room often leads to an overflow of toys. “A key element to organizing a shared bedroom for young children is to utilize containers for toys,” says Spies. Repurpose and reuse any containers you may already have on hand for an economical approach, or purchase clear plastic bins or specialty items made expressly for toy organization. Label containers with words or photos so that children can participate in clean up and help keep the room free of clutter.

Moms Recommend: Amy, mom of two, suggests a rotational system. The majority of toys are stored in a playroom, closet or bonus room, while other toys are sent to storage for a longer vacation. Only a few toys make their way into the bedroom.

 

Personal Space

Expert Advice: Designing personal space within a shared room can be accomplished through creative thinking. Designate a zone for each child, “even if that is one spot on the floor, wall or corner of the room,” says Spies. Place a shelf or basket near each bed to hold special treasures and personal belongings.

Moms Recommend: Lorrie, mom of six, created a room within a room so that her 13-year-old would have an area that wasn’t shared with her younger sisters. She created a temporary wall by attaching fabric panels to recycled screen-door frames. The result was an obvious, yet eye-pleasing, divider that allows her eldest child privacy.

 

Closet Chaos

Expert Advice: Sharing a room means sharing a closet as well. First, consider the height of the hanging rods and then assign children a specific space based on what will best suit their size and needs. Use separate cubbies for undergarments and socks. Place shoes on the floor or in a shoe organizer. Spies suggests keeping only the items immediately in need, like seasonal clothing, in small closets and moving all other items to the basement or other storage location.

Moms Recommend: Sarah, mom of three, designates a closet shelf for each of her children. She also uses hanging containers designed to hold one outfit per day on a series of seven shelves.

 

Small Rooms

Expert Advice: Use vertical space in a small room. “In this situation, I recommend installing bunk beds. Be sure to utilize as much horizontal space as you can to contain belongings,” says Spies. Create specific places for toys and clothes so that the floor does not become cluttered, thus making the space feel and appear much smaller.

Moms Recommend: Jamie, mom of four, keeps the number of items allowed in her children’s small bedrooms to a minimum. She utilizes large closets by designating specific shelving for storage of personal items.

Helpful Hints from Moms

Julie Steed writes from her home in Leavenworth.

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