Middle Years

Get organized!

Jump-start your child’s efforts to keep his or her room clean by providing them with well-organized closet space. Storage systems can double the amount of space available, says designer Jeannie Kolstad of Cabinets Plus. Here are a few of her strategies for keeping things tidy:

> Get kids to hang as many things as possible, it takes up a lot less space and it’s great for those who don’t like to fold.

> Make room for a laundry basket in the closet and lessen the likelihood of clothes landing all over the floor.

> Cubbies aren’t just for preschoolers. Small, stuffed animals, hairbows, and folded T-shirts fit perfectly in them.

> Consider shelves for shoes and see-through baskets instead of drawers so kids can find things in a glance.

“The best thing about being organized is the laundry,” says Kolstad. “When everything fits in a certain space, moms can put it away and so can kids.”