8 Steps For How To Organize Your Kid's Closet - John Louis Home

Organize Your Kid's Closet: 8 Easy & Smart Steps

Steven Tines

As a professional organizer with over a decade of experience in high-end residential spaces, I’ve seen that a child’s closet is the most dynamic area of the home. It isn't just about storing small clothes; it’s about creating an adaptive Closet System that evolves as your child grows from a toddler to a teenager. By investing in the right infrastructure early, you ensure the space remains functional for years to come.

Teens pink bedroom with open closet containing clothes and shelves.

1. The Growth Clean-Out

Before you organize, perform a ruthless purge. Children outgrow clothing rapidly, and keeping "too small" items in the primary closet creates untidy clutter. Separate items into three categories: Active Wear, Keepsake, and Donate. This clears the path for a Refined Simplicity that makes morning routines easier for both parent and child.

Children's room with shelves, toys, and a bed.

2. Measure for the Future

When planning a kids' closet makeover, measure for adult-sized clothing, even if they are still in a nursery. Choosing a Closet System that fits closet dimensions today ensures you aren't fighting for space tomorrow. Using a 12-inch depth system is usually ideal for kids' rooms as it keeps the space open while providing ample structure for toys and shoes.

3. The "Double-Hang" Strategy

Children’s clothing is short. To maximize your vertical space, utilize a double-hanging rod system. This allows you to store twice the amount of clothing in the same footprint. Because our wall-mounted rods are fixed for stability, picking the right height in the beginning is essential. For toddlers, the double-hang provides immediate accessibility for smaller items while keeping the upper rod ready for larger pieces later.

Closet organization system with clothes hanging and stacked on shelves against a blue wall.

4. Accessible Daily Essentials

A well-organized closet should encourage independence. Keep daily kids' needs, like socks, pajamas, and school uniforms, on the lower shelf or within easy reach. The upper shelves should be reserved for out-of-season items or things they do not need to access regularly. This turns the closet into a tool for growth rather than just a storage box.

closeup image o shelves with shelf covers in a kid's reach in closet organiing shoes and toys

5. Shoe Organization that Lasts

Avoid the "floor pile." While a floor may seem like an easy spot for sneakers, it quickly becomes a mess. A solid wood shoe rack keeps footwear paired and visible. When you pick a Closet System, choose one with a tower—like our solid wood kits—which features adjustable shelves you can use for shoes or folded clothes and adjust anytime as shoe sizes transition from small sneakers to tall boots.

6. Adaptive Tower Storage

The tower is the heart of an organized kids' closet. Because the shelves inside the tower can be moved at any time, you can reconfigure the vertical space as their storage needs change. This leads naturally into customizing the space for different "ages and stages" of childhood without needing to reinstall the entire system.

image of childrens board games organized on storage towers in a hall closet

7. Utilize Every Inch with Drawers

Vertical storage towers are the backbone of a high-performance kids' closet. With our systems, you can add drawers into the tower at any time as the child grows and their needs change. This allows you to transition from storing bulky toys to organized clothing, often eliminating the need for an extra dresser in the bedroom.

8. Long-Term Durability

A kid’s closet shouldn't be a temporary fix. Because our systems are 100% solid wood, they offer the strength to handle years of use. Unlike cheap laminate that sags over time, a solid wood system provides Quality that does not break the bank while standing up to the rigors of a growing family.

Insight: The Planning Pivot: To get the best value out of your investment, plan your rod heights for the "Teen Version" of the closet from the start. Use the adjustable shelves in the tower to handle the fluid changes in shoe and clothing sizes. This is Smart Money management—you build the Closet System once, and it serves the child until they head to college.

Create a Space That Grows With Them

Discover the difference of a solid wood Closet Organizer System. Get Your FREE Kid's Custom Coset Design Today!

Steven

Steven

Home Organization & Storage Expert

A disorganized home is a loud home. I combine the psychology of decluttering with the structural reality of solid wood storage. I’m here to help you ruthlessly clear the excess and build a system strong enough to hold what matters. Let's make room for living.
Read Steven's Bio →
Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.