Two kids sharing a small room (organization and practical tips)

RondackHiker · May 2014

We're getting ready to move dd into DS's room. I'm going to have to empty their closet (it has off season clothes right now) and perhaps put a dresser in there, since I don't think there is wall space for a second one to be against the wall and still have the glider in there.

Does anyone have cheap or creative organization ideas for small kid's rooms, or general room sharing tips?

The parts I particularly need help with are stuffed animals (need to be reachable for DS), clothing, and any cheap way to redo the closet. If I could do the closet so DS's clothes are in there and accessible to him so he can dress himself that'd be wonderful.

I can take photos of the room if you promise not to judge the current mess. We just added a twin and converted the toddler bed back to a crib this weekend and haven't done any organizing.

RondackHiker · May 2014

None of the furniture matches and clearly it needs work. It's pretty cluttered right now. The closet is behind me/to the left of the dresser.

I'm trying to figure out a parking garage type thing for his trucks and some way to get his stuffed animals away. That would help, and then I just need to clean off the dresser.

FalconCrest · May 2014

Do you think your DS would be okay in a junior loft bed? It's not as high as a regular loft bed, but leaves space underneath to store toys and play. DS has a tiny room and he has a junior loft bed with his train table and a reading corner underneath. I'll take a pic after he wakes up from his nap,but this is the bed we have.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BVJ7VS/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

MissyC979 · May 2014

Have you looked into the Closetmaid systems? We have them in most of our bedrooms to maximize closet space. I especially like them for the kid's bedrooms, because you can make the rods various heights and you can rearrange them when your needs change. You can usually do that for around $100, depending on how fancy you want to get.

I also like the Idea/Closetmaid bookshelf cubbies that fit the 12x12 canvas baskets.

RondackHiker · May 2014

TyrannosaurusLex said:
Is this a short term set up or long term? If it's short term I wouldn't invest much, but if it could be for a few years I'd look at getting DS a be with drawers, and buying some storage specific furniture.

I like to keep stuffed animals in a giant basket, but the hammocks work well too. A tension rod and a shoe rack in his closet can work to hang stuff on and have baskets of socks and undies he can reach.
Trucks are a PITA to store.

We are thinking we will be here till the end of DH's residency, so two years (three if he wins the chief spot), plus potential fellowship.

fintin · May 2014

I would look at ikea! They have alot of storage option for kids that wont break your bank.

RondackHiker · May 2014

@mbenit4‌

Consider the closet a blank slate. I was just in there and the bins in there are all going to goodwill, as are all the hanging clothes. 90% of the stuff are DH's coats. He collects coats like some women collect shoes. I told him we're dumping everything he hasn't worn in a year... Most he hasn't worn in two. He agreed this time.

I am loving all these ideas. I think with the closet emptied and the stuffed animals and trucks organized this will work.

They have play space in the living room and basement as well so this isn't their only play space.

azzyberry · May 2014

For the stuffed animals, I got my kids Boon Animal Bags. I love them because it keeps all their stuffed animals in a small space (instead of cluttered throughout their room) and they can easily get them in and out and the bag doubles as a bean bag style chair.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004OR1DXI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1399923893&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

credcat7 · May 2014

Have you thought about using a bean bag chair for stuffed Animal storage? Wal-Mart has them for 20 dollars. Instead of filling it with beans you can store the stuffies in it and then dd has it as seating too

RondackHiker · May 2014

@azzyberry‌

I LOVE the boon bag!

RondackHiker · May 2014

Rectangle. It looks like this (not my actual closet since I'm stuck under a sleeping baby).

RondackHiker · May 2014

I just saw this.

@mbenit4‌ You are a genius. And I love it. I'm going to rearrange crap tomorrow.

Seriously, I owe you big time.

I don't even know what to say.

RondackHiker · May 2014

mbenit4 said:

RondackHiker said:
I just saw this.

@mbenit4‌ You are a genius. And I love it. I'm going to rearrange crap tomorrow.

Seriously, I owe you big time.

I don't even know what to say.
I spent way too much time on this. I also is save the pics so I could draw but they are now deleted cause work PC and big brother.

Seriously, thank you. For the ideas and the help and the time you spent.

klondikebar · May 2014

I would add rolling underbed storage.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rolling-Underbed-Cart-White/9730032?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=77088547370&category=0:4044:92352:1087604:673059&client_guid=21d54ef0-00c4-404d-b965-50c2913883d8&config_id=2&parent_item_id=12347768&guid=f80e2bfb-f1a4-4648-9fcb-fcf29d91eb15&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

If you are feeling crafty, you can make a stuffed animal cage and wall mount it. This is the basic idea, but you can use something more shallow.

(edit: I forgot the photo)

https://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2d/74/40/2d74405175c12d06ba4fc521ccdb25a2.jpg

All you need to do is add bungee cord to a fabric storage box similar to this one.

https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81OZzXEW1YL._SL1500_.jpg

kcisthebombdotcom · May 2014

I'm not sure if your dh is handy but we cut our closet down greatly to create more space and put lots of shelves going both ways like so. It's not completed yet as we still need to get a rail to hang clothes but you get the idea. We also built shelves for toys and do underbed storage for underwear/socks/extra sheets and blankets/etc. Someone mentioned a junior loft bed and that may be a good idea--you could build shelves above for the toys you will want away from the baby in the future.

RondackHiker · May 2014

@KC_13‌

I love the idea of building my own closet storage. We're renting so it'd have to be something I could take out easily, but I kind of like that idea... We'll likely be moving around a bit for fellowships and having better closet storage is great.

I'll have to look at some patterns and it can be my project next week.

kcisthebombdotcom · May 2014

RondackHiker said:

@KC_13‌ I love the idea of building my own closet storage. We're renting so it'd have to be something I could take out easily, but I kind of like that idea... We'll likely be moving around a bit for fellowships and having better closet storage is great. I'll have to look at some patterns and it can be my project next week.

Happy decorating!

RondackHiker · May 2014

KC_13 said:

RondackHiker said:

@KC_13‌

I love the idea of building my own closet storage. We're renting so it'd have to be something I could take out easily, but I kind of like that idea... We'll likely be moving around a bit for fellowships and having better closet storage is great.

I'll have to look at some patterns and it can be my project next week.

Happy decorating!

I just found out that my BIL is coming this weekend. I'm going to dump the kids on him and rearrange and get as much done as I can.

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