We’re back from vacation and ready to Play, but before we get those toys out they need a bit of organizing. Maja’s major headache is her Toy Room!

In our “Toy Room Tantrum” episode today we’ll explore what you need to create an organized and functional toy room that your kids will love, and will hopefully ease that clutter headache for all the moms who listen in.

How to do it:
1 - Shelves (tall ones are best)
2 - Baskets and Bins
3 - Labels or Graphic picture for front of the bin (take out your camera and snap pics of what goes in, your kids will pick it up fast and be able to put away toys in a snap)
4 - Ditch the big ole’ Toy Box (it’s a black hole!)
5 - Widdle down your toy collection and be ruthless. Don’t forget our Mantra - “Top to bottom, left to right, focus, Focus, FOCUS!”
6 - How to maintain it is simply to have quick cleanups twice a day, then it’s simple and fast to keep it organized and beautiful

*If you have an area in your home or office that requires organizing, but you just don’t know where to start, shoot us an email to: thesavvyorganizer@gmail.com and your question might be featured and answered in an upcoming episode.

This week Maja is dishing about how to create a fun and organized space for your children in their bedroom. Make their rooms a space that is all their own, and use these handy tips for creating a childhood haven:

1. Toys are Outta there!
2. Find the magic - do some magazine research and discover the special touches that will make it all theirs
3. Age appropriate - this means adding drawer latches for things that are hands-off to them
4. Keep in mind the height of your children - make things accessible that they will need and want
5. Picture their ability for keeping things organized. What will work for them? Give them duties to keep their room tidy and instill a sense of pride and contribution in them.
6. Have them make their own beds - they are capable (come back later and tighten it up if needed, but allow them to do it and feel good)
7. Get Your stuff OUT of their closet! (Kids stuff only and extra bedding for their beds.)

Make your child’s room a safe, relaxing haven for rest, reading and cuddle time.

A dream of mine would be to inspire each of you to keep the bulk of your children’s toys out of their bedroom. To a few of our readers this may sound a bit backwards, and of course I understand it may not work if you don’t have a family room or basement, however for the rest of us the idea has a lot of merit for a number of reasons:

1. The first reason is that it keeps your little ones bedroom as a good place for a time-out. If there are tempting toys in there, your child’s room doesn’t make a time-out effective, it’s just way too fun in there!
2. It designates their room a place to sleep, calm, and read (isn’t that what bedrooms are for?)
3. Can’t help but keep the bedroom tidy and uncluttered.
4. Helps to encourage your children to play together outside of their bedroom – they then have to be in the same room together, and I believe that this helps foster little relationships.
5. (This is the most important one) It helps you keep an eye on your kids so that they don’t get into trouble!

Some children need a few comfort toys in their rooms and that is definitely ok, but try to keep the toy clutter it to a minimum. It will save your sanity. Your life of keeping things organized, and your children’s space staying tidy will get a lot easier.

Our tip today may seem obvious, but when we decided we were going to do a bedroom week, this HAD to be the tip. Drum roll please…. make your bed every day!!

This is honestly, one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your bedroom looks good. Have you ever heard of the “broken window syndrome”? It is a sociological theory that pretty much says, if one window in a neighbourhood is broken and is not fixed, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the neighbourhood falls into disrepair. This happens if you start letting things slide, just a little and it becomes contagious. This rule applies to every room in your house. Have you ever noticed that if you leave one dish on the counter, it soon becomes 20? Same thing for your bedroom. If you don’t make your bed, soon clothes will litter the floor and every available surface, empty cups will sit on your bedside table and paperwork will pile up on your dresser.

Best way to avoid bedroom chaos: always make your bed in the morning, tidy it before leaving the room and then SHUT THE DOOR!!! That way kids, pets, and stray mail will never find their way into your heavenly sanctuary.

If you find yourself in a chaotic state in your bedroom right now, never fear. Take a deep breath and use our Mantra “Top to Bottom, Left to Right, Focus, Focus, Focus”. You’ll be basking in a tranquil space in no time. Good luck!

Do you need help organizing a specific area of your home or office? Perhaps you have a comment or question, regarding how to get things organized in the most efficient, or inexpensive way. The Savvy Organizer wants to hear from you!

Please email us your questions or comments to thesavvyorganizer@gmail.com (or use our handy Contact form below). Maja is eager to assist you with your clutter dilemma’s, and would love to hear about your personal struggles or triumphs in this area.  Be brave and send us a picture via email of your problem area, describe what your dream would be for this space and let Maja work her magic with you.

Whether you’re climbing in clutter, or just need simple advice for a specific task…The Savvy Organizer is here to help you create class from chaos!