Keeping Kids’ Clothes Tidy … Oxymoron?

“Keep shelves tidy by rolling kids’ T-shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts instead of folding.” – Stephanie Vozza, founder of theorganizedparent.com. We featured one of Vozza’s tips from Family Circle‘s 55 Ways to Clear Clutter on Monday. Again as a Classic, I am drawn to her solution (many organizers are Classics) but her solution might be tough for an Organic or Smart to maintain on a shelf. We offer a few small changes that might make it easier for each type.

No matter who you are, this tip saves space and keeps shelves neater as it’s easier to pull out an item without toppling a ‘tower’ of clothing. The tweak I offer is to do Vozza’s trick in drawers too. But, instead of rolling clothes, fold them as usual and then fold in half when putting into drawers (as in above photo). Not only does it provide more space for clothes, you can actually SEE everything in the drawer – a big thing for Organics and Smarts.

As a Classic, living in a small two bedroom in NYC, I do this so I can see (& FIT) everything in my tightly packed drawers. I used to simply fold things in my drawers the old fashioned way. But, I found that I was only wearing the stuff on top or it became a jumbled, crazy mess when trying to get stuff on the bottom (I know Organics & Smarts likely feel the same way), which brings me to Vozza’s suggestion about shelves for clothes.

It’s hard for ANY personality to neatly store clothes on shelves (let alone children) unless you used to be a professional ‘folder’ at The GAP (or missed your calling in life). But, before I tell you to avoid using shelves, they do provide an openness that Organics and Smarts like b/c they can SEE their clothes (versus tucked away and sometimes forgotten in drawers). 

Funs when given enough space and structure seem to be the one type that has no problem keeping things neat (drawers or shelves). Classics can get sloppy when in a hurry. Organics and Smarts, I’d say your best bet outside of shelves is to put as many things as possible on hangers (and wire dry cleaner ones don’t count as actual hangers). It’s a visual solution that is easier to maintain than shelves (even with Vozza’s rolling idea) and then do the roll/fold-in-half drawer bit for what doesn’t fit in the closet.

Originally published on March 24, 2010.