Controlling Kids Clutter For Viewings
April 27, 2016
Keeping kids clutter under control can seem like a never ending task. Over time well meaning gifts, hand-me-downs and little keepsakes start to pile up and take over. I recommend regular ‘culling’ sessions to stay on top of things. You could even make this into a game , explaining that donating to charity is a good deed and that passing on unwanted toys and games is a kind thing to do and it means there’s going to be room for new stuff in the future! Enthuse the purging process with positivity and it may be easier to undertake than you think. Below is a list of my top ten tips for creative storage and tidying up for kids:
- Throw away toys/games which having missing parts and don’t work fully.
- Try to resist buying bulky items which are going to be hard to house and eventually get rid of.
- Get rid of any duplicates.
- Try and go for quality over quantity when it comes to buying toys. The Pound Shop is tempting but it’s all going to end up in landfill so try to stay away.
- Keep an on-going charity box in the bedroom or hallway, and regularly donate. Keep to the ‘one in one out’ rule with new toys or clothes. This starts a good habit for the future.
- Colour code storage boxes, a different colour for each child. This stops items going missing and children can learn to tidy up their own belongings. Zara Home always has a great selection of charming boxes in their kids home department.
- Be vigilant and get rid of unsentimental items or be creative with how you store them. Try scanning kids paintings and drawings into your computer. These can then be made into photo books, try Photobox for inexpensive ideas on how to make photo books and wall canvases.
- Make your own bespoke artwork with a child’s picture, get it framed in a gilt or elaborate frame to make a statement piece. You have more than likely once said of modern art ‘my kids can do better than that’! Well they can!
- Try putting small sentimental items, such as first shoes or favourite little toys into a shadow box and display them on the wall. Ikea do a lot of good quality deep frames which are idea for this.
- Don’t allow kids to eat anywhere other than the table, this will cut down your cleaning time considerably, otherwise chasing crumbs and greasy finger marks is going to be an endless task.
- Finally undertake a ten minute tidy at the end of each day. If you have storage sorted then popping things back into their homes should not be too much of a strain.
For more design and storage ideas see my website
http://www.clairebloom.com or email me at claire@clairebloom.com
You May Also Enjoy
The Future of Urban Real Estate: Trends and Predictions for 2026
Affordability pressures, hybrid work arrangements, and steep borrowing costs are heavy influences on urban real estate for 2026. We’re seeing an increase in mixed-use development and a renewed focus from investors on markets with a steady demand. Markets that can balance housing access, transportation, lifestyle amenities, and flexible workplaces will come out on top. Major…
Read More 
London’s prime residential market isn’t falling — it’s repricing
By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners London’s prime residential market has looked subdued by global standards, but framing current conditions as a decline overlooks the more important underlying dynamic. The market is undergoing structural repricing driven by higher interest rates, shifting tax policy and a more volatile geopolitical environment. This is not…
Read More 
Foxtons Lettings Market Index – April 2026
Market activity strengthens with applicant demand recovering and supply remaining ahead of last year After the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, April provides the final snapshot of market conditions ahead of implementation, offering a clear benchmark for how the sector is positioned entering this new regulatory environment. The lettings market strengthened through the…
Read More 
Five hidden costs catching home buyers out
FIVE hidden costs that’re catching home buyers out, AFTER they put their offer in, says expert • Buyers often focus on deposits and mortgages, but overlook thousands in extra costs • Delays, surveys and legal fees can quickly inflate budgets • Unexpected gaps in funding are becoming increasingly common A lot of home buyers think…
Read More 
Housing Insight Report: March 2026
Buyer activity and sales agreed picked up this month as the housing market entered the spring season, with increased stock levels giving consumers more choice despite ongoing affordability pressures. Meanwhile, the rental market remained highly competitive, as tenant demand continued to outstrip supply and concerns over future regulation weighed on landlord confidence. Sales 1. The…
Read More 
Renters’ Rights Act risks leaving the tenants it set out to protect with fewer options
Fewer than a third of landlords are fully aware that the Renters’ Rights Act bans advance rent payments of more than one month, according to new research from LRG. The survey of 650 landlords and tenants across England and Wales found that 43% know the rules have changed but remain uncertain of the details, while…
Read More