If you have children who are currently sharing a bedroom, you’ve no doubt dealt with any number of interesting conflicts relating to the situation. When we’re creating custom closet systems Dallas kids will love to share, we get to hear all sorts of stories from parents about how challenging room-sharing can be. When constantly vying for a sense of ownership of a space, there’s no shortage of things to argue about. However, with the guidance of Dallas Custom Closets, room-sharing can be more enjoyable for both the kids and their parents.
Over the years, we’ve been able to observe what works in shared custom closet systems, so today, we’re sharing our Top 10 Tips on Splitting Spaces. These strategies are focused around creating routine, rhythm, and a natural flow, all of which are key in lowering stress levels in children. Peaceful homes result from intentionally creating patterns that set children up for success!
1. Relocate Everything That Does Not Belong in the Closet
Somehow, despite all your hard work, there are probably items hiding in your kids’ closet that shouldn’t be there. Encourage your child to take items and move them back where they belong.
Next, work with your children to minimize clothing. Your children probably have clothing in their closets that they do not wear, have grown out of, or haven’t grown into yet, and spending time sifting through clothes with your children is the best way to find out which items they love and which they wouldn’t miss a bit.
2. Plan to Divide the Space Evenly
As much as possible, we suggest keeping shared spaces evenly divided. Symmetrical designs are ideal for this purpose, and encourage children to respect the space and boundaries of others.
3. Keep Organization Small and Simple
While adults often prefer open spaces and room to spread out their belongings, children need spaces divided into smaller compartments with clearly-defined purposes. Tights, socks, soccer socks, and leggings could certainly share a drawer, but your child is more likely to understand their Dallas Custom Closet system if the “sock” drawer were divided into compartments, each of which only stored one subcategory of sock.
4. Plan for Constant Turnover
Kids grow faster than the front lawn, so we suggest incorporating a space that temporarily holds outgrown clothing that’s in good shape. Once this basket or bin is full, you can sort through it, deciding what to pass down to younger siblings or cousins, and what should be donated to local charity.
5. Consider Saying Goodbye to Dressers and Nightstands
Floor space is at a premium in most shared bedrooms, which is why many of our clients are excited to ditch dressers and nightstands. Our custom closet systems can replace these clunky items of furniture, leaving plenty of room to set up activity zones.
6. Create Space to Learn
No matter their personality or interests, it’s important for each child to have a designated space to study, read, and learn. Once you’ve moved out the dressers and nightstands, the first area you should focus on should undoubtedly be the learning zone.
A simple desk with a lamp, pencil and pen holder, space for a handful of textbooks, and outlet for a laptop or tablet will be all most children need to excel at getting their homework completed.
If at all possible, desks should not be shared spaces. Children often need to study simultaneously, and will benefit from focusing on their studies rather than vying for priority at the study center.
7. Contact a Dallas Custom Closets Consultant
When you and your children are ready, contact a Dallas Custom Closets consultant! We can schedule you for a complimentary at-home consultation right away. We just need to assess your current closets and shared bedroom dimensions, and then we can show you images of possible configurations that will meet your children’s needs.
8. Choose Shelves, Drawers, and Adjustable Hanging Rods
Our favorite shared closet systems Dallas kids have chosen include plenty of shelving and box cubbies, at least two full drawers per child, and adjustable hanging rods. As the kids have grown, they have been able to repurpose, reorganize, and adjust their closets to keep up with their developing interests and larger clothing sizes.
9. Select Custom Closet Accessories
Small hooks for hanging scarves and belts, shallow drawers for accessories, valet rods for hanging the next day’s outfit, and pull-out hampers are all excellent choices for keeping your kids organized.
10. Make Maintenance Tidying Part of Every Day
When a clothing store closes its doors at the end of the day, the staff begins returning every item to its proper place so that the next day can start out with everything in its proper place. Your children can benefit immensely from following this example. By spending just a little time tidying every evening, you can help your children keep their beautiful custom closets and their entire shared space looking and feeling like a place they want to spend time in – peacefully and without conflict!
