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Joyful Homemaking

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Daughter’s Room Organization Part 2

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Organizing Toys and Books

Last May I worked hard and whipped my daughter’s room into shape as seen here.

daughter's room organization
daughter's room2

Well, it has been nine months since we did a purge/reevaluation of her toy situation, and her shelves have started looking like this.

Yikes-a-roo!
We desperately needed to go through all her toys and books to re-access what she still plays with and reads, and what she doesn’t. Besides the obvious reason (see above), after organizing my youngest son’s shelves a few weeks ago, I was extra motivated to get this room done as well.

So we dug in, and by “we,” I mean “me.”

Sorting and purging trash and unused or broken toys…

We even brought all the kids’ stuffed animals into the living room to see if they were willing to get rid of some. Can you imagine why? Holy moly, that’s a LOT of stuffed animals. They agreed to donate 10 each.

Do you think they picked any of the bigger ones?

Ummm, no, and actually, this pile only seems to have nine…

They had many larger options, but no, they are staying. They get it honestly, because I always seem to get attracted to the soft fuzzy ones in the store as much as they do.
We are relocating a lot of the stuffed animals to the basement play area because they can trap quite a bit of dust, and I don’t want them breathing all that in while they sleep. We are still negotiating how many they can have in bed at night with them. In the past it has been so bad, my daughter has slept on the very edge of the bed because of all the animals that she insisted on having in bed with her–crazy! I think three is enough, but my daughter is holding out for five. I’ll keep you posted.

I accumulated about 5 bags for donation, and one large bag of trash.

After gathering some matching baskets from around the house, and purchasing an additional three, I made up some labels,

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using card stock and scrapbook paper.

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Here we have the finished product.

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daughter's room6

 

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daughter's room organization2

I really have faith that we will be able to keep it in order better for two reasons. The first is because we purged so many items. I am becoming more and more of a firm believer in “less is more,” and that “too much is just too much.”  The second reason is because I labeled EVERYTHING this time so my daughter will know where everything is SUPPOSED to go. Of course occasional maintenance with some good routines is always very helpful as well.

I think it turned out nice, and my hubby was pleasantly surprised and thrilled when he saw the end result. My daughter thinks it’s “really pretty and cute.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Yes, less is better! We have to go through our kids’ shelves periodically and purge. Everything goes into their respective labeled bins and all is nice for a while. But it’s good. It’s just like when you notice your hair is getting kind of crazy, well time for a haircut. Well, crazy toys, time for a clean up! nice of you to share this! I know lots of parents that try to hold on to everything and it is just a mess. : )

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  2. what a lovely room!
    I recently put tags on my daughters toy boxes too and it does keep the room so much tidier! Even her friends know where things are supposed to go now when it’s tidy up time. So much easier for me!

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  3. Now I’m seeing how I HAVE to do this! My daughter likes to keep everything so it’s official. It’s so much easier to clean up and make them put their own stuff away. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Room looks great! I was struggling with how to put labels on the canvas bins we have and you gave me a great idea!

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  7. Her room looks great! So organized! My daughter has tons of stuffed animals as well!

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  8. Good work. The baskets should hold up over time better than the cubbies without baskets did — even if what’s inside is just tossed in, the basket makes the cubby look perfectly organized. Thanks for sharing your update!

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  11. I think it is really pretty and cute too! Great job! When I was a kid, I always had tons of stuffed animals on the bed with me. I just shimmied under the covers and let them sleep all over on top of me (uh until morning when they all seemed to be on the floor! LOL)

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  14. Really like the cabinets – where did you get those? I see your boys have them too. The organization turned out great, with the cutest girlie labels to boot!

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  15. Read that word Organize and had to come see, it’s a lure 😉 Love it! I click on your stuff regularly from link parties and when your blog pops open, it’s always exciting when it’s a blog I follow 🙂 Then I think ‘Crap, I need to check my dashboard!’

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  18. Yes, I need to do this again! My children (also three) each ave cubbies in their rooms similar to this and they have gotten a little crazy recently. My daughter has the same bedspread as yours, so cute!

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  19. Inspiring — and so very real! I laughed at your daughter negotiating the number of stuffed animals in the bed — I hope you do better at negotiating than I! I would love it if you would come link up with Busy Monday (through Thursdays) at A Pinch of Joy, a linky party for ideas that make life better.

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  24. I’m a firm believer in “less is more!” I loved your latest plan of attack to organize…the labeled baskets look great! I’m sure your daughter loves it too! I would love to have you share your project at my party (It’s going on now through Friday)!

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  26. LOL, my sister actually created a toy roster when she was about 7 for which toys would sleep in her bed at night, becuase she had too many and she didn’t want some to feel left out. 🙂

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  28. Yes! I needed this inspiration to tackle my own daughter’s room. We battle the stuffed animals on the bed, too. You did a great job!

    -sara @ applestonedrive.blogspot.com

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  29. Awesome! It looks fantastic! I’m so glad my daughter is old enough to read now because I can label the heck out of everything! I’m all about getting rid of the junk, you did a great job! It made me laugh about the stuffed animals–my daughter is the same way! She has so many in bed with her, I can never find her in the morning! Ha!

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  30. My youngest daughter is all I have left at home & she is 10 with toys & animals handed down, so I can relate. She hates to get rid of things,but each time we do she is fine with it. I am trying to get her to realize it is easier to be organized & have less. I could use some help in this dept. too! Well, my turn to spring clean soon!! Your daughter’s room looks fantastic!

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  31. This is so inspiring, Margo! I am currently reorganizing some things in our home, and I love to get ideas from others. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Can I just say I love you..LOL this is exactly what we are going through. MY DD does sleep on the very very edge of the bed so all her stuffed little friends are warm. Everytime she gets a toy she has to purge 2 items and of course its the smallest items as well. You have given me my hope and ispiration back!

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  36. I love that your pile of stuffed animals is actually close to what would happen if I piled my daughter’s – phew! We’ve gotten rid of a LOT lately and we still have more to go. So much stuff!

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  37. hi I found your blog by accident while searching for a recipe for New Years day meal. fantastic keep up the wonderful work flying the flag for homemakers

    many blessings to you

    Noye,

    Reply

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