Is your home sinking beneath a sea of stuff? From art projects to Lego bricks, books to dress-up costumes, it doesn’t take long for kids’ toys, art projects and homework to cover the surfaces in every room, whether it’s visiting grandkids or your own offspring creating the clutter. But with a few fun and functional organising hacks, you can make sure everything is easy to find and clear away again. Read on to discover our round-up of clever ideas to turn your home from topsy-turvy to super tidy. Click or scroll for more…
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Get dotty about a DIY book bin
This handy library on legs is the perfect height for little people and big enough for all those picture books. Helen Thompson created hers from DIY store wooden boards, furniture legs and a funky Dalmatian Spot removable wallpaper by Livette’s for added pizzazz. “It was really easy, and it’s nice to have a little piece of furniture in your child’s room that you made yourself.”
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Get crafty with fabric-backed crate shelves
These quirky shelves by Joann add a dash of cheery homespun character. Simple to make, the crates were each given a coat of chalk paint on the outside, a lick of vibrant acrylic paint on the inside, before a fabric-covered foam board was pushed inside. Coordinating decorative motifs were then added to complete the pretty but punchy effect.
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Slot in a space-saving desk
Need an affordable and compact home school desk for a tight corner? Try this one by Project Kid. Paint two wood panels. Mount the desk panel on the wall using two L-shaped brackets. For the backboard, stretch and staple elastic ribbon in a grid. Insert two screw eyes into either side (about five inches up from the bottom), thread through some elastic cord and knot on one side – this will hold an open textbook. Mount the board using the appropriate fixing screws and you’re ready to go.
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Keep clutter secret with a tuck-away bed
Looking for amazing kids’ beds? When it comes to maximising space in a compact flat, you can’t beat a secret bed! Designed by kids’ furniture experts Nidi, this ‘Twiddy’ foldaway bunk has a sleek panel that blends discretely into the surrounding storage when it’s tucked away. And with a range of complementary desks and cool accessories, it’s the ultimate formula for a stylish space.
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Create a cool pegboard art desk
This organized art space was a DIY design by Kate Fisher for her boys: “I repurposed IKEA room divider bookshelves by attaching pegboard panels and then custom-made the desk from plywood offcuts, topped with a white melamine shelf. To maximise storage, I bought baskets from Kmart.” The bonus feature is the shelf underneath for storing paintings and projects – inspired!
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Step up storage with a Scandi dining bench
When Dutch interiors blogger Mirjam Hart transformed IKEA’s STUVA/FOLJA system into a stylish toy-storage-meets-dining-bench, she couldn’t have guessed it would become her most read post. This straightforward IKEA hack involved screwing together three units, attaching a sturdy plank top and adding on-trend leather and wood handles. Accessorised with her favourite cushions we can see why it is so popular!
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Add character with DIY house shelves
Looking to inject personality into a pure-white scheme? Craft blogger and author Hester van Overbeek raided her timber stash and designed these delightful storage houses. “I love the texture of pallette wood, so I only gave the inside of the houses a lick of paint. It adds a pop of colour and an injection of texture into the room.”
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Paint up a colour-pop craft cart
Ensure art materials are organised and accessible in any room of the house with a mobile crafting station. This one has been given a lick of Annie Sloan chalk paint in the zingy Antibes shade which really pops against artist Lucy Tiffney’s amazing botanical mural. While the cart is drying you can paint your easel, too. This is a great project for kids to get involved with if you’ve got a spare chunk of time available.
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Refresh dull desk accessories
Transform the humblest stationery items with a quick spritz of vibrant spray paint. Here food cans, a magazine file and IKEA’s MOPPE chest of drawers have been given a makeover with a couple of coats of PlastiKote Twist & Spray in a colour combo of orange, pink, red and pistachio. Just be sure to sand the surface first, apply primer and allow drying time between coats.
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Consider retro industrial locker cupboards
Teen bedrooms need to strike just the right balance between functional and funky and retro metal lockers really tick the box. They’re perfect for adding a hint of industrial cool along with practical hanging storage. Why not upcycle a vintage find, or invest in an off-the-peg design such as this closet which combines six cupboards in one?
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String up artwork in style
Drowning in a sea of your little ones’ masterpieces, why not transform your home into an inspirational art gallery? You don’t need to tack artwork to walls and risk damaging paintwork – simply do as @queenp_handmade and display art projects on a gorgeous garland. This one has been decorated with rustic wooden beads and pegs – it’s a great way for the whole family to enjoy kids’ handiwork.
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Declutter with clear globes
Whether you’re looking to stash pens, plastic animals or play food, these transparent half spheres are the crystal-clear answer. Easily mounted to the wall at any height, the large opening makes them quick to fill when it comes to tidying up. They’re versatile too; either hang them in groups, or clip two halves together to create a quirky hanging sphere using the included hanging wire.
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Fashion some fabric pockets
Introduce a softer edge into a child’s room with fabric storage such as this hanging pocket design. Run up your own from a plain coloured material to tone with your scheme or use random offcuts for a pretty homespun effect. Include a variety of compartments in different sizes depending on the items you’re planning to stash.
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Jazz up plain IKEA pen pots
We love it when someone comes up with a new IKEA hack! Spotting that the popular SUNNERSTA containers would make practical wall-mounted pen pots, craft supremo Karin Andersson jazzed hers up with decorative craft vinyl to add a splash of drip-effect colour to her space. For added interest and even more pen storage, mount a set above and below in contrasting shades.
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Choose modular shelving that grows with your child
This minimalist storage system by Swedish brand String is a design classic that grows with your kids – and it’s so stylish they’ll want to take it with them when they leave home! Spanning shelves, cabinetry and desk components, you can start small, adding elements over the years to adapt to your child’s needs and space.
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Dejunk with drawer organisers
If pens and pencils are running rogue in your home, why not copy Systems by Susie and give them their own rank and file with dedicated drawer organisers? These affordable storage accessories are readily available, come in different sizes and, as Susie says, “they’re the antidote to junk drawer syndrome”.
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Opt for an all-in-one cabin bed
Whether you have a compact or spacious room, this sleek cabin bed is the go-to solution for work, sleep and play. Combining multiple bedroom functions in one design, book storage is at arm’s length come bedtime, the pull-out desk can be stowed away when space is needed for play, plus there’s plenty of discrete drawers and shelves to make keeping tidy a cinch.
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Breathe new life into an old desk
A classic piece of furniture adds heart and soul to a space and a traditional lidded desk provides a discreet hiding place for storing notebooks and stationery too. An easy DIY project that requires very little supplies, this old-school design has been brought back to life with a good sanding and a couple of coats of chalk paint in sunny-toned yellow. One top tip is to feather the paint as you go, this helps minimise brush marks for a smoother finish.
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Branch out into tree shelves
For a truly magical space, who wouldn’t want this quirky tree storage in their bedroom? An instant talking point, the angled shelves give the impression of movement while providing lots of space for favourite books and toys. It’s one that will grow with your child with shelves stationed at every height for toddlers to teens.
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Set up a smart Lego play table
Lego bricks migrating all over your home? Why not borrow Kate Riley’s clever storage hack? It was the result of a lightbulb moment when she realized IKEA’s LACK table had the same dimensions as her son’s coveted road plates. Now the roads sit on top, while the Lego pieces are stored neatly on the shelf below in practical storage containers.
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Zone a homework station
When it comes to juggling deadlines, a clutter-free desk will foster a tidy frame of mind too. Designing a homework station for her kids, blogger Susie fused style and function with a selection of See Jane Work monochrome wall-mounted solutions including a hanging file, magnetic dry erase board and supplies pocket. She then finished the look with matching stationery.
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Create a coastal-themed toy chest
Why not transform a piece of furniture for truly bespoke storage? A personalised toy box is more than just a functional piece of furniture, it’s a family heirloom. Aleks, aka @pixiespotatoes, created this seaside-themed chest by lightly sanding and filling the dents with wood filler. After another light sanding she applied two coats of thinned down Annie Sloan chalk paint – sanding again between coats.
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Fit in a flexible craft station
Calling all hobby lovers: whether you’re a knitter, art or crochet aficionado, IKEA’s TROFAST system has got your back. This flexible combination of sturdy wooden frames and lightweight plastic boxes can be added to over time and come in a range of sizes to suit your space. Plus, the low storage is the perfect height for budding crafters come tidy-up time.
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Shape up walls with handy hexagons
Tots and teens will love displaying treasured items in these on-trend, adaptable hexagon shelves. Creating a funky focal point on the wall, they can be mounted in any direction, in lines or added to to create a full-on honeycomb effect. They’re also available in a range of colours – we think they make a statement with or without stuff in them!
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Catch on to cute wall hangers
Colourful hooks are a quick and affordable way to perk up a plain wall. We love these little Umbra Buddy guys as they’re a playful way to add upbeat storage and they’re practical too: the arms, head and feet are all hook-worthy while each figure can hold up to 2.2kg of bags, coats, accessories and more. Why not make a whole wall of multi-coloured climbers in your entryway?
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Make tidying up wheelie fun
Little children love transporting toys from one space to another, so why not give them a cute vehicle for the job? Made of sturdy wood with a pull-along cord and rubber-trimmed wheels this magical unicorn cart is safe and strong – and just waiting to be filled with books, toys and more.
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Recycle cereal boxes into colourful files
Who would have thought that these cheery magazine files were once dull cereal boxes? If you’re looking for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, borrow One Good Thing by Jillie’s idea and decorate cardboard packaging with jaunty washi tape. The tape adds more than just colour – it makes the boxes more sturdy, plus it’s an easy and fun activity to occupy the kids too!
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Spray paint a cork memo board
Teens can pin photos and memos in style with this DIY project by Rust-Oleum. Draw shapes on to the back of the cork, then cut out with a Stanley knife. Stick painter’s tape to the areas you want to leave unpainted, then spray with different colours of Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch spray paint.
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Hang a handy rack to the back of the door
When space is at a premium, you’ll be looking to make the most of every nook and cranny – even the back of a door. This sturdy system clips to the top and bottom of the door and has a choice of hooks, wire baskets and acrylic boxes so that paints, brushes and craft odds and ends can be stored neatly at the end of every creative session.
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Style out spice rack bookshelves
Try this ingenious idea for showcasing your favourite children’s books and art prints. Interiors addict @jo_at_sixty8 put a new spin on IKEA’s BEKVAM spice racks and turned them into cute shelves. Be inspired by Jo and fix them at different heights, and switch up the displays from time to time to keep things interesting.
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Decorate rainbow fruit Mason jars
We do love a good upcycling idea. Uber crafter and Color Made Happy blogger Sam turned basic Mason jars into the cutest rainbow fruit pen holders. All you need to do is spray paint them with primer, followed by a couple of coats of the brightest acrylic paint, then use paint markers to draw on the fruity faces. She recommends finishing with a gloss or matt sealant to prevent chips and fading. Unruly pens and pencils will thank you.
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