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Decluttering: Minimalism With Children
10 Ways to Have Play Spaces and Simplicity, Too
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
This week Houzz participant Christy emailed me to ask how to find a balance in minimalism with children. "I have been on a mission to de-clutter," Christy said. " I am not a minimalist but figure if I shoot for that I would land somewhere a little more comfortable than now." And Christy isn't the only one who's questioning stuff. Just this week Becky addressed the issue in her "Ideabook 911: How Can I Declutter My Space?"
It can be doubly hard to clear out clutter when you have kids, especially if you're not a minimalist at heart, so this ideabook looks specifically at kid-clutter conundrums. Simplifying and living with less doesn't mean bleak sparseness. In fact, living with less can increase the focus on experience rather than stuff. In cases with kids, science has proven that fewer toys and distraction can encourage a creative release and greater depth in imaginative play.
Yes, that all sounds nice but how to actually accomplish this? Here are my top 10 tips on how to actually execute the beautiful concept of simplification.
It can be doubly hard to clear out clutter when you have kids, especially if you're not a minimalist at heart, so this ideabook looks specifically at kid-clutter conundrums. Simplifying and living with less doesn't mean bleak sparseness. In fact, living with less can increase the focus on experience rather than stuff. In cases with kids, science has proven that fewer toys and distraction can encourage a creative release and greater depth in imaginative play.
Yes, that all sounds nice but how to actually accomplish this? Here are my top 10 tips on how to actually execute the beautiful concept of simplification.
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| 1. Merge the adult and child world. Enjoy parallel play by adding a small bit of toys in each room rather than overrunning one room with toys. |
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| 2. Think open living. Where possible, clear the space and get rid of unnecessary furniture. Create more open floor space for playing, and the room will feel larger and less complicated. |
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3. Embrace chaos within boundaries. Chaos comes with children, it's just a fact of life. Create boundaries for the clutter by keeping it within understood parameters: a bookshelf like this, bins, an armoire.
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| 4. Looooove shelves. Shelves like these allow for easy access to lower toys, and harder-to-reach items such as paints and supplies that only parents want to be able to reach. Within view but out of the way. |
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Shelves can help the non-minimalist keep a simple atmosphere while having beloved items visual and accessible.
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| 5. Keep the palette simple. Toning down color goes a long way in quieting the visual atmosphere. This room is also great in how it's chosen only a few fantastic pieces to keep out. |
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Yes, a simple palette and restricted choice of furniture will open up a space for play.
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| 6. Look for multi-purpose furniture. Note the glorious absence of a changing table. Both the dresser and the crib can serve as one. |
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| 7. Create a system with your children. I've seen in my own work how creating open accessible bins — and a good system of organization — helps children initiate their own play, play more creatively, and put things up in the end. |
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| 8. Hide stuff. If you're not wanting to actually look at the toys when not in play (especially when you're in a smaller apartment, say), hide it all in sleek drawers and cabinets. I've used an armoire before in a playroom to hide the clutter. |
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| 9. Interchange your small bins. One successful organizational tool is to separate toys into bins (blocks, trains, baby dolls...) and interchange the bins between rooms. You will be amazed at how this change in environment will spark new play. |
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| 10. Go vertical. If you live in a teensy space or simply want to keep the floor clear, consider adding to your wall. Choices can include a chalkboard wall, a racetrack or babydoll clothesline vinyl sticker set (that doesn't harm the wall), or a hanging felt dollhouse.
Good luck, Christy, and all (all of us?) who at some point have to stare down our clutter situation. Next: Browse more home design photos |
Ideabook published on Feb. 7, 2011.
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cje4, you can email me at margaret@houzz.com for specific resources.
But I do have to say a changing table is a must (IMHO)! A crib or a couch or a bed? You're always just making do. You have to change each baby (let's imagine 10 times a day) which means at 2 you're looking at 7300 times! What else do you use that many times? Not even the toilet or bed or fridge! Supplies right at hand, at the right height for your back, and great to establish an expected routine.
Otherwise love it! Of course, mine are now 12 and 15. But having moved and looked at the toys we gave away and thought about the expense - a real eye-opener!