A Mama's Guide to Tidying Up Your Kid's Room (Without Losing Your Sanity)

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If you’re like me, you know how quickly a child’s room can go from neat and tidy to complete chaos. Between Sofia’s ever-evolving interests, piles of clothes she’s outgrown, and toys that seem to multiply by the minute, I find myself constantly battling clutter.

I’ve learned a few tricks along the way that make the process not only smoother but a little more manageable. And I’m sharing them with you so you can declutter your kid's space too — without it feeling overwhelming!

The Struggle Is Real: Our Starting Point

Before I dive into the tips, let me share a little glimpse into what Sofia’s room was like before I decided to declutter.

Like most toddler spaces, Sofia’s room was always filled with a mix of random toys, scattered books, clothes, and sometimes things that didn’t belong in there at all. A lot of the time, I'd walk in and think, "How did we get here?" It was more than just a few stray toys here and there. It was clutter that invaded her room.

One of the major culprits was the overflow of toys—some that Sofia played with all the time and some that had been shoved into corners, out of sight, and forgotten about. And don't even get me started on the closet. Let's just say things had gotten a little... out of hand. You might even say it was a hot mess (minus the "hot" part).

But this time, I wasn’t going to just organize it temporarily. I wanted a solution that would stick. I wanted to create a space where she could thrive, play, and most importantly, be able to find things when she needed them.

Step 1: Start with a Blank Canvas

The first thing I did was clear everything out. Yep, everything. It’s hard to imagine, but you’d be amazed at how much stuff accumulates over time when you don't regularly go through it. I took everything out of her room—books, toys, clothes, everything—and moved it to the hallway.

I know, it’s a little extreme, but here’s the thing: When you start with a completely empty room, it gives you a fresh perspective. You’re no longer distracted by piles of stuff, and it’s easier to figure out what should go back and what should stay out.

Step 2: Sort Everything Into Categories

Once the room was empty, I started sorting everything into piles: toys, clothes, books, art supplies, and anything else I found along the way. It’s important to put things into categories so that you can easily assess what you have in each area.

For example, in Sofia's room, I realized that there were a ton of books scattered all over the floor. Instead of trying to organize the books into random spots on the shelves, I made sure to group them based on themes (like bedtime stories, educational books, and so on). This made it so much easier to make decisions about what stays and what goes.

Step 3: Declutter Like a Pro

Now comes the real work. As I sorted through the toys and clothes, I asked myself a few key questions for each item:

• Does Sofia still use this?

• Is it in good condition?

• Does it serve a purpose in her room right now?

If the answer was “no” to any of those, it was time to let it go. I got rid of broken toys, clothes that no longer fit, and anything that was just taking up space. I also realized that there were a lot of toys that Sofia had completely outgrown, so I set those aside to donate or sell.

Step 4: Be Honest About What You Really Need

This is where I had to be tough on myself. I thought I could get away with holding onto some things "just in case" Sofia might play with them later. But the truth is, I didn’t need to keep every single toy or item that once caught my eye.

We kept only what truly fit into the space and what Sofia actually enjoyed. For instance, her wooden puzzles and favorite stuffed animals stayed, while some of the random toys I thought she might like (but never played with) had to go.

I also took this time to evaluate her clothes. There were bins full of hand-me-downs I had carefully organized... but that were now overflowing and hidden in the back of the closet. I went through them, donated what didn’t fit, and re-organized everything by size so I could easily find what I needed.

Step 5: Reorganize the Room—Creating a Kid-Friendly System

Once we’d decluttered the toys and clothes, it was time to put everything back in an organized way. But this wasn’t just about throwing things back into any empty space. I wanted Sofia’s room to have a designated spot for everything—so she could easily access things and put them away herself (or at least with a little help from me).

• Toy Storage: For toys, I used bins and baskets, labeling them according to what went inside. This helps not only keep the toys organized but also teaches Sofia how to sort things on her own.

• Bookshelf: I organized Sofia’s books by type, making sure her favorites were easy to grab. I even made a little reading nook with a cushion where she could sit and look at her books in peace.

• Clothes: I invested in a few clear storage bins that stack neatly in her closet. I organized her clothes by size and season, which makes dressing her each day so much easier.

I also created some open space in the middle of the room. Sofia loves playing on the floor, so I wanted to give her room to spread out without all the clutter getting in the way.

Step 6: Enjoy the Clean, Calm Space

Once everything was in its place, the transformation was amazing! Sofia’s room felt lighter, and I felt more at ease knowing that it was organized in a way that would actually last.

And the best part? Sofia loves her new space! She can find her favorite toys and books easily, and when it’s time to clean up, she knows exactly where everything goes. The room feels peaceful and inviting—no more stress over piles of toys and clothes.

Step 7: Keep the Clutter Away—The Key to Long-Term Organization

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that maintaining a tidy room is an ongoing process. It’s easy for clutter to sneak in if we’re not intentional about what comes into the room.

Here are some quick tips to keep your child’s room organized long-term:

• Be mindful of new items: Before buying more toys, clothes, or books, ask yourself if they’ll truly add value to your child’s life.

• Encourage regular clean-ups: Get your little one involved in tidying up. Even at three years old, Sofia loves helping me put away her toys—especially when it’s a fun, interactive activity.

• Set a routine: Schedule a monthly declutter day to keep things in check. As kids grow, their needs change, so it’s important to re-evaluate their space regularly.

• Organize as you go: Instead of letting items pile up, take a few minutes each day to put things back in place. It’s much easier to keep things tidy than to constantly play catch-up.

Final Thoughts: Decluttering Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Decluttering Sofia’s room was a big task, but it was worth it. Not only does the room look great, but I also learned a ton about what works for our family and what doesn’t. And even though decluttering can feel like a lot of work, the key is to take it one step at a time. You don’t have to do it all in one day, and you certainly don’t have to tackle the entire room at once.

So, take a deep breath, clear out the clutter, and make your child’s space one that fosters creativity, relaxation, and joy. You’ll be amazed at how much better you—and your little one—will feel in a clean, organized room.

If you want to check out all of my favorite organization and kids' room must-haves, you can find them here! Happy organizing, mama! 💖