When my clients invest in a custom kids’ closet, they often wonder how they can make the closet work well for their young child as well as the older child and teenager their little one will become in a handful of years. The good news is that adjustable kids’ closets will evolve as your child grows. If you are in this situation, I have some great tips on customizing the closet for different age groups.
Here are some ways you can customize your child’s closet:
- Keeping safety in mind for toddlers
- Making the closet interactive for preschoolers
- Encouraging independence for school-aged kids
- Incorporating style for teenagers
At Mad Garages & Closets, we take pride in designing, building, and installing gorgeous closet systems for the whole family. If you’re looking for an organization solution for your kids’ bedrooms, I urge you to give us a call! We offer free design consultations.
If you are hoping to upgrade your child’s closet in ways that will benefit them now as well as in the future, keep reading. I’ll share my best tips here.
Customizing Closets for Toddlers (Ages 1-2)
Safety First
When it comes to toddlers, safety is going to be your top priority. Little ones are naturally curious and love to explore every nook and cranny. That’s why it’s essential to turn their closet into a space that’s safe for them to play and explore. Here are a few tips:
- Choose rounded edges to avoid any bumps or bruises.
- Anchor all shelving to the walls to prevent tipping.
- Pick non-toxic materials to keep harmful chemicals at bay.
- Use childproofing measures, like safety latches on drawers your little one shouldn’t be getting into.
Accessible Storage
Making storage accessible for toddlers encourages independence and helps them learn to tidy up on their own. Here are some ideas to make your child’s closet more accessible to small hands and short statures:
- Place shelves nice and low, so your toddler can easily reach them.
- Use bins and baskets that are sturdy yet lightweight, so your child can pull in and out easily.
- Install hooks at a toddler-friendly height for little jackets, hats, or bags.
Organizational Tools
Toddlers thrive when things are organized, even if they aren’t able to achieve good organization on their own yet. Including items, like colorful bins, labeled baskets, and smaller hangers, help keep the closet neat and tidy. Check out these quick tips:
- Use colorful bins to make cleanup time fun. Choose bright colors to get your toddler’s attention.
- Print or make labels with pictures or simple words to help them understand where items belong.
- Invest in small hangers that fit their tiny clothes perfectly. Once they develop more dexterity, they’ll be able to use them on their own.
Customizing Closets for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
Interactive Elements
Preschoolers are full of imagination and energy, so making their closet fun will be right up their alley. Here are a few ideas:
- Set up a dress-up station where they can easily access their favorite costumes and accessories.
- Designate a special area for their favorite toys or books – making the closet more than just a storage space.
- Consider using creative elements, like a Lego table or a place to keep low-mess craft supplies, that they can use without supervision.
Adjustable Features
As your child grows, his or her storage needs will change. That’s why adjustable features are a lifesaver in a preschooler’s closet. Look for shelving and rods that you can move or reconfigure to make it easy to deal with seasonal wardrobe changes. Of course, this will be even more important as your child grows.
Adjustable shelves can accommodate larger toys or books, while moveable rods can be raised to hang longer dresses or coats as your child gets taller. In this way, the closet will grow right along with your child.
Personalization
Personalizing your preschooler’s closet makes it a space they can feel at home in. Here are some of my best tips for creating a personal space for your young child:
- Start with their favorite colors. You can paint an accent wall, add a throw rug, or find other ways to incorporate preferred colors.
- Add themes for a personal touch. If your child loves dinosaurs, princesses, or outer space, you can find themed bins, wall decals, or even small rugs to match.
- Involve your child in the process. Rather than simply making the choices for them, let your child decide what elements they’d like, then let them help decide where those elements should go.
Customizing Closets for School-Age Children (Ages 6-12)
Homework and Activity Zones
As children start school, their closets need to accommodate more than just clothes. Creating designated zones for school supplies, sports equipment, and hobbies can help keep everything organized and easy to find.
Consider adding shelves or cubbies for school items, like backpacks, notebooks, and art supplies. Hooks will work well for hanging sports gear, such as helmets or jerseys. Designate a shelf or bin, where your child can store their collections, crafting materials, or musical instruments.
Having different zones ensures that everything has a place – making it easier for your child to put their items away neatly.
Increased Storage Needs
Now that your child is in school, his or her wardrobe has expanded. Kids this age often have more shoes, accessories, and seasonal items. To accommodate this, consider adding extra shelving, drawers, and hanging space.
- Shelves can be used for folded clothes, shoes, or even baskets that hold smaller items, like socks and hats.
- Drawers are perfect for organizing undergarments, pajamas, and accessories.
- Hanging space is important for keeping clothes wrinkle-free and easy to access. Using double rods—one higher and one lower—can double the amount of hanging space available.
Encouraging Independence
Encouraging independence will help your child keep his or her closet tidy now and will also serve as a lifelong skill. Organizing the closet in a way that’s easy for them to use can make a big difference.
Place frequently used items within easy reach, and store things they don’t use often higher up. Label drawers and bins with either words or pictures, depending on their reading ability, to help them know where everything belongs.
Let your child help make decisions; when children help set up their own spaces, they are more likely to keep them tidy. Cliche Mag has a list of reasons it’s important to let children of this age group make their own decisions when it comes to decorating (and organizing!) their bedrooms.
Customizing Closets for Teenagers (Ages 13+)
Style and Aesthetics
Teenagers have their own sense of style, and their closets should reflect their unique tastes. Talk to your teen about what they want in the space. They might choose a sleek, modern finish or a bold color scheme that aligns with their current interests. Extra touches, like LED lighting strips, mirrored doors, or a sponge-painted or patterned wall, can give the closet a more mature and stylish look. Let your teen express his or her personality!
Maximizing Space
As teenagers grow, so does their wardrobe, so making the most of the closet space is vital to accommodate everything from clothes and shoes to sports equipment and school supplies.
Install double rods—one for tops and another for bottoms. Consider adding shelves or cubbies above and below hanging areas for extra storage. Slim, space-saving hangers can also help them fit more clothes into the same space. For bulkier items, like winter coats or sports equipment, vacuum-sealed bags can help them take up less space.
Functional Storage Solutions
Storage solutions are key to keeping your teen’s closet organized and clutter-free. Jewelry organizers, belt racks, and dedicated storage for tech gadgets can help manage a growing collection of accessories and electronics.
Drawer dividers can keep smaller items, like socks and underwear, neatly sorted. A designated area for shoes, such as a shoe rack or cubbies, can prevent piles on the closet floor. A member of my team can help by suggesting accessories and organizers that will allow your teen to have a closet that’s both functional and appealing.
Conclusion
Customizing kids’ closets for different age groups can transform a simple storage area into an organized, engaging, and personalized space that grows with your child. From the safety-focused design for toddlers to the stylish and functional setups for teenagers, each stage will bring about new possibilities and storage solutions. If you’re ready to create the perfect closet for your child, contact my team to schedule a free consultation today.
