A shared kids’ room can be challenging to get organized. The key is to divide and conquer. It is best to work with each child separately. Any jointly owned possessions can be dealt with after the majority of the sorting and editing is done. Note the other child cannot be in the room! Their comments, suggestions, and opinions will derail the whole process.
Two girls, ages 8 and 10, share this space and things had gotten out of control. I worked with one girl first. We sorted what she had into piles by category and donated anything she didn’t want. She understood that whatever she kept had to fit nicely on the shelving under her bed. Having this requirement helped her decide what else she could declutter.
I encourage people to let the container set the boundary of how much can be kept. When you think this way it helps you prioritize what is most important to you, so getting rid of the extra is easier.
She loved making her space beautiful. Once we had everything set up nicely for the first sister, she left the room and I worked with the next sister. We did the same process for the second sister and she also loved making her space beautiful. My favorite part is when they find their treasured possessions that have been lost in the mess. Even though they often need mentoring when they organize, they love the results.
If you’d like to read more about organizing with children check out Organizing with Teens, Organizing a Playroom, and 5 Tips to Help Kids Organize their Things. If you want one-on-one help organizing a space call Colleen at 208.736.3306 for a free consultation. I’d love to help you on your organizational journey. Virtual options are also available.