how do i keep my house organized?

Question

i have a small house and three boys how do i keep the toys more organized and not so cluttery feeling without it looking like a daycare?

Answer 1

I've been in your shoes! I am anal about my house for far to long. What we found worked for our two children was a combination of things already mentioned.

The toy chest. A home built one - and yes painted to go with the decor of the room it's situated in. If it's in the family room - put a top / lid on it & cushions galore on top. Looks nice & the cushions are toys all on their own!

By all means - an excellent suggestion - throw away anything broken and recycle toys they have outgrown. Donate them to Goodwill or somewhere that will give them away to those with less than your sons.

One BIG thing that worked well for us was the process of teaching them to put one toy away before getting out another and that all toys had to be put away when the day was done. The toys that were "forgotten" to be put away and therefore were picked up by us - became "our toys". We kept them for a good while and only returned them as the lessons were learned. It worked for us - good luck!

Answer 2

Set aside a designated play area and be firm with the boys about keeping their toys and games there.

Throw out all broken toys, missing pieces etc.
Give away toys they no longer play with to a charity .

Get yourself some colored plastic milk crates ( you can get each boy their own color) and label the crates .
Stack them against walls to form a book shelf type effect or stack them in closets.

Inexpensive LOW HUNG shelving will do so the boys can stack their toys and games on the shelves

NO closet space -- try an inexpensive yard sale or stand alone cabinet ( from Walmart) that will blend in with your decor and store the toys in there

Answer 3

Get a big toy box. I made one out of plywood with no top, painted it blue with dinosaurs on it. It was big enough to hold the majority of their toys. The next part is the big one. Teach them that when they're done playing with the toys, the toys go back in the box. It's a life lesson they need to learn as early as possible, to pick up after themselves, otherwise some poor unsuspecting woman will one day be picking up after them as you presently do.
The reason for no lid on the chest is to prevent it from falling on your children, and to prevent them from getting stuck inside, because as children they would want to climb in and shut the lid.

Answer 4

Different boxes for different toy items. One box just for cars, another for blocks, another for arts and crafts, etc. A good place to store them is under the bed. Label them, and they should have different colors, so the children won't have to go through each one to find want they want. If you find you have too many toys, put some away...The rainy day box, it will always be a delight when you take it out again.
Try to teach the children that before they take out one box, the other one has to be put back.
Good luck...hope this works for you.

Answer 5

all of the above; and only let the kids have maybe 4 favorite toys a day; they can change them every day, but have to return 1 for 1.

Answer 6

Get the boys to help by putting away their toys, making their beds, and putting their dirty clothes in the clothes hamper. Otherwise, when you use an object, put it back when your done: That way the clutter doesn't build up.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I have often wondered the same thing. I feel like you and I both will need to wait until they go off to college before your home can be organized again. Good luck!!

Answer 8

I GOT This one!!! Multipurpose furniture. I use baskets and cedar chests and cabinets to store away clutter. Especially when you need it quickly put away. Also consider rotating toys they use less often and prioritize places to put favorite toys so they are always easily accessible and cleaned away.

Answer 9

throw the toys out in the yard !

Answer 10

good question?? who knows, I have tons of toy buckets full of toys.. all in one corner of living room..