How to Declutter a Child’s Bedroom
There’s nothing quite as chaotic as a kid’s room, right? From toys to clothes, it can feel like they’ve somehow collected more stuff than a department store. Wondering how to declutter a child’s bedroom without losing your mind? Don’t worry!
These tips can help you figure out how to declutter a bedroom and turn their messy space into something way more manageable for us parents.
Keeping Toys From Taking Over Your Home
You know, when I think back to my childhood, I don’t remember having that many toys. My bedroom wasn’t overflowing with dolls or books, and we definitely didn’t have bins or baskets of stuff taking over the family room.
But kids today? They’ve got a lot of stuff. And when there’s so much, it can feel overwhelming—not just for them, but for parents too.
Even in my house now, our basement has basically turned into a play zone for our grandkids. Don’t get me wrong, having plenty for them to play with isn’t the issue. The real challenge is when there’s more stuff than there’s space to store it.
How to Declutter a Child’s Bedroom
A messy kid’s bedroom is something nearly every parent faces at some point. With all the toys, clothes, books, and random stuff, it can feel like an endless battle to keep things from taking over. The good news? Decluttering doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With a bit of sorting and tips that work for any age, you can create a room that’s organized and easier to keep that way.
Pre-work That Works
Start by gathering up anything that belongs in another room. Dishes, food, dirty laundry, and trash. Get those things out of the way so you can have a better idea of what is left.
Next, set up bins to toss things into: Keep, Donate, Put Away, and Toss. Encourage your child to help decide what stays and what goes. A great rule of thumb? If it hasn’t been played with or used in the last six months, it’s time to say goodbye.
Sorting Tip: Try to keep only as much as the space can handle comfortably. When there’s too much stuff, it can be overwhelming for everyone and makes cleaning up a real chore.
The goal is to declutter kids toys and clothes and create a room where everything has its own spot, making it easy to find things and just as easy to put them away.
Let’s Break it Down By age with tips that will help you make progress while keeping kids involved in the process.
Toddlers
At this age, sorting and organizing is entirely on you, but you can set the foundation for good habits as they grow.
Decluttering Clothes for Toddlers
Decluttering clothes for toddlers can be surprisingly quick since they outgrow items so fast.
- Sort for Size: Go through their wardrobe and set aside anything too small or no longer in season.
- Essentials Only: Keep just a week’s worth of everyday outfits, along with a few “nice” pieces for special occasions.
- Store or Donate: Save outgrown clothes for younger siblings, or donate them to families in need.
Decluttering Toys for Toddlers
Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore, meaning their rooms can quickly turn into a whirlwind of toys.
- Limit the number of toys available at one time. Rotate toys every month to keep things fresh and interesting.
- Focus on keeping items that spark curiosity for your child or encourage creativity, like blocks, puzzles, and stacking toys.
- Donate things that are outgrown, or no longer relevant for their age. Discard anything broken, cracked, chipped, or snagged.
Organizing Tip for Toddlers:
Stick with open baskets or clear bins for storing toys like stuffed animals or blocks. Don’t stress about breaking everything down into categories—that’ll just drive you nuts when they start playing again. Keep it simple, and encourage even the littlest kiddos to pitch in with cleanup.
Delta Children Design & Store 6 Bin Toy Storage Organizer, Nick Jr. PAW Patrol
OrganiHaus Cute Basket for Pastel Rainbow Classroom Decor 20×13, Toy Basket Storage for Kids Room, Toy Bins for Kids Organizer, Large Blanket Basket Living Room, Rainbow Storage Bins, Nursery HamperMabahoo Extra Large Toy Box, Collapsible Sturdy Kids Toy Chest for Boys, Girls, 41
School-Aged Kids
This age is a great time to get them involved in decision-making and show them the importance of keeping only what they actually use.Teach kids the joy of giving by donating things they’ve outgrown to kids who might need them more.
Decluttering Clothes for School-Aged Kids
At this stage, kids start forming their own sense of style, so include them in the process.
- What Still Fits and Works: Have them try on items and ask if it still fits or if they like wearing it.
- Create a Plan With Limited Options: Create “capsule wardrobes” by mixing and matching key clothing pieces.
- Seasonal Review: Set a routine where clothes are reviewed at before winter and summer months.
Decluttering Toys for School-Aged Kids
At this age, kids are more independent and can take part in decluttering their own rooms.
- Use a one-in, one-out rule when they bring new toys; have them find an item to donate.
- Use big organizers for larger toys to keep things put away.
- Create small decluttering sessions instead of tackling the entire room at once. For example, focus on just the bookshelf or the top of their dresser.
- Encourage them to donate toys they’ve outgrown to younger kids or charities, framing it as an act of kindness.
Organizing Tip for School-Aged Kids:
Use compartmentalized storage for items like Legos, dolls, or action figures. Drawer organizers or labeled bins can make cleanup quick and straightforward.
Plastic Storage Organizer for Lego Box Kids Child Toy Stackable Containers with Lids Bins 3 Layers Adjustable Compartments Building Blocks Chest CaseMloong Stuffed Animal Storage, Wood Stuffed Animal Zoo Storage,Space Save Toy Organizer, Extra Large Capacity Plush Toy Cage,Stuffed Animal Holder,Gift for Nursery Playroom Kidroom Bedroom-54 inchTwinkoo Kids Bookshelf and Toy Organizer, Sturdy 3 Tier Kids Bookcase, Sling Bookshelf and 2 Toy Bins, Toddler Montessori Book Shelf with Toy Storage Organizer for Children Room, Playroom, Nursery
Teens
Teen rooms can be a tricky thing to manage since their interests and styles seem to change every other week. Depending on their maturity, you can hand over most of this project to them but stay available for help if they need it.
Giving them space and privacy is a big part of growing up, and it’s also a great opportunity to teach that privacy is a privilege that comes with responsibility.
Decluttering Tips for Teens
- Suggest they tackle the clutter by categories, like clothes, books, or sentimental items. This keeps the task from feeling overwhelming.
- Ask them to sort their clothes into “love it,” “maybe,” and “no way” piles. Anything in the “no way” pile can go.
- Help them prioritize keeping versatile, high-quality pieces over fast-fashion items that don’t last.
- Talk to them about keeping only what they truly love, use, or need. Show them how a simplified space can actually feel calming and even look more stylish.
- Encourage them to sell things they’re done with online or donate to a cause they support.
Organizing Tip for Teens:
Help them find sleek storage solutions that fit their vibe, like under-bed bins or closet organizers with shelves. A laundry basket or hamper in their room can also go a long way in keeping dirty clothes off the floor (and out of the mysterious black hole teens call “cleaning up”).
Makeup Organizer, Skincare Holder Bathroom Counter Organizer, Storage Box Cosmetic Display Cases, Teen Girl Gifts Trendy Stuff Make up Organizers for Vanity, Dresser, Countertop (Rose Gold)SWTYMIKI Over Door Hat Organizer – 3 Tier Wall Mounted Hat Rack with 2 Adjustable Metal Basket and 3 Hooks, Hanging Baseball Cap Organizer Storage Holds up to 29 Caps for Door, Bedroom, ClosetIDEALHOUSE Bookshelf 5 Tier Bookcase Arched Display Racks Tall Standing Bookshelves Metal Frame Modern Storage Rack Shelf Large Wood Book Shelf for Bedroom, Living Room, Home Office, White/Gold
Grandkid Play Areas
If you’re a grandparent, there’s a good chance you’ve set up a special spot for the grandkids when they visit. And while it’s tempting to fill it with all the fun things, keeping it organized can make a big difference for everyone.
Decluttering Tips for Grandkid Play Areas
- Create a dedicated, safe, and cozy space for the kids to play. This helps contain the mess and keeps toys from taking over the rest of your home.
- Use labeled bins for toy storage so little ones can easily recognize what goes where and help clean up.
- Take a regular inventory of the toys and donate anything that’s no longer age-appropriate or rarely gets used.
Organizing Tip for Grandkid Play Areas:
Stackable storage bins are your best friend for maximizing space. Keep toys like dolls or games grouped by type for easy access. And don’t stop at just bookshelves for books. Use them for baskets, games, or toys, too. It’s all about keeping things accessible and still looking somewhat neat.
How to Keep a Kid’s Room Neat Long-Term
Decluttering is just the first step. To prevent chaos from creeping back in, it helps to have simple systems that work for all ages. Here are some tips to keep things organized and manageable:
- Label Everything: Use clear labels or even pictures on bins and shelves so kids know exactly where things belong.
- Make Clean-Up a Game: Turn tidying up into something fun! Set a timer or offer small rewards for completing the job.
- Keep It Simple: Don’t go overboard with complicated storage solutions. If it’s easy to grab and put back, your child is much more likely to follow through.
- Decorate with Purpose: Use colorful bins, wall hooks, or themed storage to make organizing part of the room’s look. It’ll feel less like a chore and more like personalizing their space.
- Keep the Bed Clear: Avoid stashing things under the bed—that space can quickly turn into chaos. Stick with closet-friendly or shelf-based storage instead.
- Involve Your Child: Get your child’s input on how their space is organized and decorated. When they feel ownership, they’re more likely to keep it neat.
- No Food Rule for Teens: Keep food and drinks out of bedrooms to avoid smells, pests, and extra messes. This simple rule can save you a lot of headaches.
- Set Up Zones: For larger spaces, break the room into zones. A reading corner, play area, and a spot for clothes or getting dressed can make everything feel more streamlined.
Taking a child’s space from messy to organized doesn’t have to be stressful, even when there looks to be more toys than space. When thinking about how to declutter a child’s bedroom, get your child involved and make sure the room reflects their personality and interests.
With just a little teamwork and creativity, you can turn their bedroom into a comfy, fun spot where they can play, relax, and grow. Instead of letting the clutter take over, try these simple tips to help your child feel more in control of their space while keeping things tidy and organized.
