Organizing Kids Clothes

We have twin two years olds. A boy and a girl. With these being our first children, one thing I didn't think much about as I was pregnant (and I thought about everything, over and over again) was how much they grow out of clothes. Each season we are buying so many new clothes because there is no way they can fit into what they wore the last time we saw the sun around here. It sounds like an obvious cycle (all kids grow) but it surprised me. By age two, I am starting to get used to it. One thing I realized right away was I didn't want those outgrown clothes cluttering the closet after they were past their prime.

See below for my tips and tricks on organizing kids clothes.

1. Everything needs to have a place. This is key in all forms of organizing. Designate bins, drawers or shelves for socks, onesies, pajamas, swim suits, hats and gloves, pants, etc.

The changing table has bins underneath that provide great extra storage. Bins hold socks for baby girl and baby boy, onesies, gloves and hats, swimwear and diapers.

2. For hanging clothes add extra rods in the closet for more storage space. We did this before the kids were born when I realized how short their clothes were. We were able to add an extra shelf and rod in their closet. Their clothes won't be adult length for a long time so take advantage of the space while you can.

3. Group like items together when hanging. For example in our kid's closet I have the following order for my little guy's stuff with each section from light to dark:

• Long sleeve button up shirts
• Long sleeve polo shirts
• Short sleeve polo shirts
• Long sleeve tee shirts
• Short sleeve tee shirts

It makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for and it makes so simple to put away laundry. Color coding obviously isn't necessary but I highly recommend grouping together like items.

4. If you have the room to do it, group sweaters, fleeces, jackets and hooded sweatshirts away from the shirts. They are bulky and get in the way of the shirts you are reaching for every day.

5. Put all shoes in a bin. While they are small enough, take advantage of this awesome space saving tip. I have one bin for his shoes and one for hers. They fit perfectly on the shelf in the closet.

6. Make a bin specifically for clothes they haven't grown into. A lot of people gift clothes in a few sizes too big or you see a deal you can't pass up on for pajamas for next season and buy them. Store them in the grow into bin. It keeps things together so you don't forget about these items by tucking them away somewhere and forgetting about it. Plus you don't need to clog the closet with clothes they don't fit into yet. I have a grow into bin for her, him and one for shoes. We have a special friend who works at Converse and has generously given the little ones lots of cool kicks. We can't wait to grow into all of them!

7. Do a once a month (or whatever length of time works for you) review of the closet. The more regularly you do it, the quicker it goes. It usually takes me less than 5 minutes each time.

• Move the items that don't fit any longer to either the give away bin, the store for possible baby down the road bin or the keepsake bin if you have one.
• Check the grow into bin and see if there is anything they have grown into you can add to the closet.
• Do a quick review to see if anything needs to put away, refolded or resorted.

Hope these tricks and tips help a little bit in the chaos that can be your child's closet.

Happy Organizing!