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From Toddler to Teen: Designing a Kids' Closet That Adapts and Grows
If there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again in my years of renovating homes, it’s that kids’ closets are rarely designed and built with the needs of a child in mind. All too often, you’ll see hanging rods that are too high, organizers out of reach, and systems you can’t adjust. So I’ve decided to put together a list of simple considerations you should make when doing an overhaul of a kids’ closet in your home.
Here’s how to design a kids’ closet that adapts and grows with your little one:
- Make use of adjustable shelving
- Remember bins are your friend
- Try out removable hooks
- Consider putting in cubbies
Now that I’ve given you the basic steps to take, it’s time to get into the details and see how to make the most of your child’s closet space.
Make Use of Adjustable Shelving
Your kids are always growing, so their closets should be able to grow with them, too. I’ve made use of adjustable accessories and features throughout kids’ closets, but nowhere is this more important than with their shelving units.
It’s only natural your child’s style and clothes will change over time, so you’ll want to be ready with adjustable shelving that can grow and adapt with them. Not only that, but this is also a great way to keep the closet looking fresh over time without having to do a massive overhaul.
Remember Bins Are Your Friend
As the pros at Better Homes & Gardens point out, mix-and-match storage containers are like a silver bullet for a messy kids’ closet. I’ve seen parents get a lot of mileage out of color-coordinated storage containers, and you can also make use of clear plastic bins as needed.
Not only will this make it easier for your child to find what they’re looking for when there’s some differentiation between containers, but it also gives you the chance to make use of color and really make the area pop.
Try Out Removable Hooks
Over my years of renovating closets, by far one of the most underutilized spaces has to be the walls themselves. Not only do removable hooks give you more room to work with, though, they also can have their height adjusted as your child grows.
You might even experiment with other wall-mounted options like shelves. Whether your child needs more space for toys and accessories or you just want to be able to show off items like sports trophies or the like, this is a great way to do just that.
Consider Putting in Cubbies
When in doubt, I’ve seen time and time again that you can’t go wrong with a good cubby system. These are simple to put in, easy to adjust as time goes on, and they couldn’t possibly make things any easier for your little one.
With this one simple addition, they’ll be able to grab and toss items as needed, making it that much easier to get out the door on time in the morning. On top of that, you can leave them at floor level to make them even more accessible for your child.
Conclusion
Most kids’ closets aren’t designed with kids’ needs in mind, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. By following my tips and getting a bit creative in your approach, you and your child should have no problem revamping the space and allowing it to adapt and grow over time.
Sources
George obtained a Master of Science Engineering Degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology. After graduation, he worked at AT&T Bell Labs and Lucent Technologies after the company split. With an extensive background in construction management and ergonomic space design, spanning residential and commercial, designing and installing closets in New Jersey is second nature for him.