Say Goodbye to Clutter

The piles can creep up on you. You’ll find misplaced figurines stashed in corners, and outgrown clothes taking up prime closet space. So how do you corral all of your kids’ stuff? General Manager of Gilt Baby & Kids Rachel Jarrett, mom to daughter EJ, has five fabulous tips to share with parents who crave a neat (but chic!) space. Plus, check out our sale for decorative storage bins, oval tubs, and more.

Tackle the toys: Only put a few toys out at a time (child development experts suggest that over-stimulation can hinder brain development). Keep the rest in a toy bag inside a closet or in a toy box with a lid. Avoid storing stuff in trunks and benches—you don’t want your little one to get hurt.

Divide and conquer: Group similar items together. Pottery Barn sells square baskets with liners (from $9). Use one basket for stuffed animals, one for little toys, and one for books. Keep them on the bottom shelf so your kids can access them easily. KidKraft Sort It And Store It Bins are also great (pictured above)—they are on sale at our “Decorate Your Kids’ Room” event.

Top off the décor: Storing items in hat boxes will add style to a room’s décor, and they’re the perfect hiding place for small toys and clothes. Stack them in sets of three in a corner or next to the crib, but keep them several feet away from the baby’s bed: Your witty little one may try to use them as an escape route!

How low can you go? Visit places like The Container Store to find drawers that fit under the crib or bed, and store shoes, winter blankets, or old toys here. This is a great way to keep things out of site.

Pack it up: To keep knick-knacks organized, I recommend the cute and colorful mini suitcases from Land of Nod (3 for $25). It’s a great way to store hair bows, creams, and doll clothes, and they’re a bright addition to any room.