Smart ways to organise children’s spaces
Experts share suggestions on how to organise messy children’s rooms into clutter-free spaces writes, Nasrin Modak Siddiqi A common complaint of most parents is that organising children’s rooms including their books, toys and clothes — at any age — is daunting, laborious and exhausting. The satisfaction of keeping a room tidy and clean apart, maintaining an organised space is critical to boosting children’s productivity, focus and empowering them to make their own decisions. Kopal Dhir, a Delhi-based professional organiser and founder of Organise with Kopal, who follows the Konmari method (professional organiser Marie Kondo’s minimalism-inspired approach to decluttering) believes the benefits of well-organised children’s rooms extend beyond aesthetics, and significantly boost the productivity of children and parents. “When children have an organised space, they experience fewer distractions, focus better on their study and hobbies and take charge of their belongings, learning quick and independent decision-making. When everything has a designated place, items can be retrieved quickly, saving time and developing a sense of responsibility and order. Also, involving children in the organising process cultivates responsibility and time management skills from early age. For parents, an organised home transcends into reducing time spent searching for misplaced items, creating a smoother morning routine and lowering stress levels,” says Dhir. PW spoke to experts who share some key principles of organising children’s rooms/spaces: Keep it minimal Rohini Rajagopalan, a certified professional organiser and founder of the Mumbai-based Organise with Ease, advises parents to avoid the temptation of buying and storing too many things. “Parents are often too indulgent and cram children’s rooms with toys, books and clothes. This creates clutter. Several studies show that clutter adversely impacts children’s productivity and maximal usage of products. The first step to organising is to declutter. Conduct conscious bi-monthly or quarterly audits and retain only toys, clothes and books that are age appropriate. Recycle or give away things not needed,” advises Rajagopalan. Likewise, Dr. Dhir endorses downsizing excess toys, books, and clothes. “As children grow, their needs change. Decluttering every few months keeps the space fresh and relevant, making their spaces more engaging and meaningful,” she says. Start small Dhir recommends focusing on one area at a time, such as a bookshelf or closet. Clear it, categorise, and assess what’s needed. “First, categorise possessions into major groups such as craft supplies, stationery, and toys. Then divide them based on usage such as school, tuition, or home. As you group similar items, once chaotic sea begins to take shape, forming neat islands of order,” says Dhir. Enable easy access Rajagopalan believes it’s important to keep items in ways that are easy for children to access and use. “I recommend basic zip pouches, transparent boxes or a Montessori setup where parents can rotate toys. Observe what children use daily, keep the desk space clear, and have a book rack above or storage below the desk to ensure accessibility to puzzles, activity books and worksheets. Maintain a basic filing system to assure minimal paper trail. Keep a simple caddy for…
