Does your kid's closet look like a mini tornado hit it?  Are clothes lying on the floor, and you don't know the clean pile from the dirty?  Is it taking just a bit too long in the morning to get your child dressed because the closet is disorganized?  If not, congratulations!  If so, and you are getting the organizing itch and don't know where to start, we’ve asked local closet organizing experts Maria and Bill Nagel, owners of Simply Stowed Custom Closet & Home Solutions, to give us some tips that can help you straighten up.

I am expecting my first baby, and I am trying to organize the closet. What types of things should I keep in mind when planning the nursery?

This is a very exciting time and if this is your first pregnancy it can be stressful in trying to figure out what you will need.  To try and alleviate some stress, we recommend:

• Triple Hanging (three rows) - Very important to use every inch you have. You may not believe it now but your infant will have more items of clothing than you.
   
• Baskets & Drawers - Great for socks, shoes, diapers, amd folded pants. Baskets that pull out make it easy for you (and one day for your child) to select clothing and put things away.
   
• Shelving - Great for linens, blankets and items you want to keep out of reach for now such as piggy banks, jewellery boxes, books and journals.
   
• Like with Like - Hang or fold items that are similar such as t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, onesies, long pants, dresses, sweaters/jackets.  Give each section of the closet a purpose.
   
• Built-in Clothing Hampers - These are amazing for infants and children. You know that it is there but it doesn’t scream at you to do laundry every time you enter. 
   
• Dressers - Put items of clothing that you will use most such as onesies, pajamas, pants and maybe some tees. Use some of the extra drawers for wipes and extra diapers that you want to keep stored until needed.  Items that you will not use very often or clothing that is for later on should be placed in its own section of the closet or drawer.
   
• Check Clothing Regularly - Go through your infant's clothing every three months.  Clear out what is too small, and bring out the items that will now fit them and are in season.

My toddler seems to have so many clothes in every season and in several sizes, how can I organize their closet and include them in dressing themselves?

First of all with any closet it is important to take everything out and take inventory of what you have. Toddlers love playing with clothes and this is a great way for them to learn their first lesson in organizing.

• Make Piles - Separate clothes by season and type. Make a pile for tees, shorts, long sleeved shirts, long pants, sweaters, bunny hugs (hoodies), dress clothes, dresses and jackets.
   
• Check the Tags - It is amazing how many toddler clothes are too small for your little one. Put them in a bin, label them and either put in storage or donate. Don’t forget to keep some items that you might like to pass down to grandkids one day.
   
• Hanging is Important - It allows you to see the clothing instead of it getting lost in the bottom of a drawer. If you love drawers try wire baskets that slide out of the closet - this allows you to see the items.  Triple hanging is an excellent way to separate like items or clothing that is a set. When your child grows up you can easily convert this to double hanging.
   
• Sort Pants and Shirts by Similar Colours - This allows you to match up outfits easier instead of digging around for that orange shirt that only goes with the spotted pants.
   
• Get Your Toddler Involved - Socks and underpants should be accessible to your little one. Keep them in a drawer, wire basket or shelf that is close to the ground. This way they can help in getting dressed and putting away.
   
• Toys - If toys are being included in the closet keep them in a separate bin that can be removed and then hidden again in that space.

Clothing sizes change quickly for toddlers.  Keeping the space neat and organized will help you easily sort through, separate and add items when they are needed. Good Luck!

What are some tips for organizing my kids' room when they share it with a sibling?

Sharing a room with a sibling can create amazing memories for children, such as staying up past bedtime, chatting, midnight giggle sessions and finding comfort when scared.  Every parent is overjoyed when they see their children getting along but it doesn’t usually last for long, especially in tight quarters.

• Separate the room to give each child a feeling of space; or separate the belongings.  A friend of ours with twin girls had a great idea when renovating their new home. She let her daughters each pick out a paint and carpet colour. The installer and painter split the room right down the middle.  Each girl felt she contributed and that her side matched her personality. It didn’t cost any more than if they had chosen one paint colour or carpet. If you are not in the market for new carpet or paint consider giving each child their own bookshelf or nightstand that will house treasures, books and personal items.  This also teaches the siblings to respect each other’s items.
   
• It’s important that you add some personal touches to each child’s area such as his name over the bed, wall decals/stickers that reflect interests, and different bedding. These may sound like small things but to your child it tells him he is allowed to be unique even if he is sharing the room with a sibling.

Keeping a child’s room organized is always important but it does become extremely important when that room is shared and your children have possessions that are important to them.
 

Tips that apply to all kids' rooms:

• Simplify the amount of items that you allow in the room.  Children do not need to have all of their toys, dressup clothing and stuffed animals in their rooms.  While it is important for them to have some things, it is not necessary to have their entire toy room in their bedroom.  It makes it very hard on the parent to keep toys organized in every area of the home.
   
• Sort through clothing. It is so important to sort through sizes and clothing with each season.  Taking the time to sort through and store clothing for the next season saves you from searching for an item that may be hidden behind all those summer clothes your kids are not wearing anyways at the time.
   
• Hooks are a simple and effective way to organize backpacks, hats, costumes and clothing. Hangers can be difficult for younger kids.  Over the door shoe racks that use hooks are very useful for sorting your child’s shoes.  Since it can hold at least 10 pairs of shoes, the over the door shoe rack will make it less likely that you will be tripping or searching for that other shoe!

Visit Simply Stowed Custom Closets and Home Solutions at www.simplystowed.com

Email simplystowed@gmail.com

Follow them on  or join their group on facebook.

About Simply Stowed Custom Closet & Home Solutions:
Simply Stowed is a family run business.  We believe that an organized home is a happy one.  We are dedicated to helping you discover what home solutions are right for you.  Simply Stowed is currently serving Regina and surrounding area.