Storage for families: organising tips to keep everyone's stuff in order

Author: Gabrielle D, Staff Writer

Moving home as a family can be an exciting and chaotic task. In fact, chaos is inevitable. Once you move in, maintaining an organised space can be even harder, especially when the kids aren’t familiar with the new house system. However, with some smart storage and a bit of planning, you can create a peaceful living space where everyone's stuff has its own home! In this blog post, we'll explore practical organising tips specifically for families.

Set up a centralised system

To make sure things don't end up scattered throughout the house, create a centralised storage system. Designate specific areas for different types of things, such as a coat rack near the entrance, a spot for shoes, and individual bins or shelves for each family member's personal items. This will make it easier for everyone to find what they need and encourage them to put things back in their own spot.

Don’t be afraid to go to town with this one! The more systems and easily accessible ‘organisation stations’ you make, the higher the chance the family will stick to it!

Use labels and clear containers

Labels are your best friends when it comes to organising for a family. Invest in label makers or simply use adhesive labels to clearly mark containers, bins, and shelves. This makes it easier for the family, including children, to identify where items belong. Choose clear containers whenever possible, as they allow everyone to see what's inside without having to rummage through multiple boxes.

Embrace functional furniture

When choosing furniture, opt for pieces that offer additional storage options. Look for footstools or coffee tables with hidden compartments, bookshelves with integrated storage baskets, or beds with built-in drawers. These functional furniture pieces help maximise storage space while serving their primary purposes.

Get creative. Use bunk beds to maximise floor space in the kids’ bedrooms, desks that pull down from the wall, and cushioned boxes for books and toys. Also, look for unused spaces - such as under the stairs, the random broom cupboard and a garden shed. Consider transforming these spaces into organised, usable areas.

Rotate seasonal items

With each change of season, take the opportunity to declutter and rotate seasonal items. Store off-season clothes, sports gear, and holiday decorations in labelled bins or vacuum-sealed bags.

By keeping only the relevant items accessible, you'll free up valuable space and reduce clutter.

Storage boxes can easily create more clutter in themselves. So, to up your organisation game, consider LOVESPACE. We collect your stuff right from your front door, store it in one of our secure storage facilities, then deliver it to any UK address when you’re ready. Only pay for what you store with our by-the-box service, or opt for our 15sqft – 200sqft+ storage units to store those larger items.

Teach kids the importance of organisation

Getting children involved in the organising process is good for them and the entire family. Teach them the importance of tidiness and make it a fun activity. Use colourful bins or storage with their favourite characters to make it engaging. Encourage them to tidy up their toys regularly and praise them for it! By instilling good organisational habits early on, you'll set them up for a lifetime of tidiness!

Also, children tend to flourish when they are given creative freedom. Try not to pressurise them into tidying a specific kind of way. By doing this, children begin to resent tidy-up-time, seeing it as a negative activity, as opposed to a fun and creative thing they can enjoy.

Emphasise regular decluttering

Clutter has a way of accumulating over time, so make decluttering a regular family activity. Set aside time every few months to go through each family member's stuff and identify items that are no longer needed or used. Donate or discard these items to create more space and maintain an organised home. Read our Charity Donation Guide to find the best ways to donate your stuff!

By tidying little and often, the space itself become easier to clean and organised. Have you ever tried cleaning the bathroom when the job hasn’t been done for weeks? It suddenly becomes a much bigger, messier and longer task. By keeping on top of things, the whole family will appreciate it!

Maintaining an organised home when you have a family is a constant effort, but with these practical organising tips, you can create a more streamlined and clutter-free living space. Remember to involve everyone in the process, from designating storage areas to encouraging regular decluttering. By taking this approach, you'll not only keep everyone's stuff in order but also create a more peaceful and enjoyable living environment for your entire family.