The Right Way to Live with Kids Toys
Kids these days have so many toys, and every birthday or holiday only brings more. I have been to many homes where the toys are everywhere and have run amuck. Not only does it look like a disaster area but it is a bit dangerous since the small piece can easily be step on or tripped over.
Our busy lives don’t leave much time for cleanup and the task can seem futile when what takes an hour to put away can be lost in blink of an eye. I know most parents feel overwhelmed as if they are constantly swimming upstream with this issue. Don’t give up yet…
There are organizational solutions to this problem that make sure your kids are part of your living space without taking it over. Cabinetry can hide and hold so much clutter away, then add some baskets and your kids can access what they want and leave the rest neatly behind.
There may need to be a thinning of the toys they don’t play with much and some ground rules applied, but with a few dedicated areas you can have the toys under control. Inexpensive cabinets from places like Ikea are great for this. I also encourage my clients to leave space in TV wall units for games and smaller toys. Baskets and chests are also attractive solutions for quick clean up.
The furniture you choose for your kids toys should look like it belongs in the room with the rest of the adult furniture. If you buy something that is a brightly colored piece of plastic you have only added more visual chaos to your room.
You can have a stylish home and children at the same time. If your house looks like a daycare center it may be time for a change.
Heather McManus
Artistry Interiors
April 20, 2014
