Storing the Kids When You Don't Have a Basement

A living room for kids and adults.
Photo Better Homes and Gardens

In a small home, finding a place for kids and all their stuff can drive you crazy! Last week I showed you my basement. It's where I store my kids, their friends and everything that goes along with raising children until they come off the family payroll. If you missed the photos click here.

But what if you don't have a basement? Then the kids and their stuff goes in the living room or family room. When my husband I had our first son, we lived in a one bedroom condo. All the kid's toys and gear was stored in the shared living room and eating area off the small kitchen. (We also slept in a futon every night in the living room so our little guy could sleep in a quiet place. But that is another story.) The key to making this work is having attractive closed storage in the room. Take a look these built-in storage solutions.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Built in cabinet storage makes this family/living room a good space for kids and adults. Use open storage for TV and books, closed storage for games, craft projects and even school work. Here are more room options with built-in storage solutions.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Media cabinets and armoires are another storage solution that makes the family room or living room a place for the kids.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

I would not use this coffee table with young children because of the sharp edges. But hard wood floors are a great option for kids. And yes, white can work in a shared living space. Especially if cushions are slip covered and washed on a regular basis.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Coffee tables and cabinets are also good storage solutions for shared spaces.

Coffee tables with hidden storage.

Photo PotteryBarn

A cabinet with storage and a place to put the TV.
Photo PotteryBarn

Organizing a closet to store kids stuff also works. Take a peek at these great examples. And the closet does not have to be in the room where the kids play.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

It's never too early to learn how to take out toys and gear, then put it away when finished!

And if you really don't want to look at your TV, here is a clever way to hide it.

Photo Better Homes and Gardens

Until next time!

Genevieve

Where do you store the kids?

Put kids in the basement. Mine are the boys at the ends on the left and right.

This past week my friend and neighbor put her house up for sale. Why? They want more room for their three children. Space for kids and all their 'stuff' is the most common reason people move to a bigger house.

But what if you don't want to move or can't trade-up? A quiet corner can always be found for a baby and crib along with extra drawer space for those darling little clothes. But what about toddlers and their 'developmental' toys? Or grade-school kids and all the equipment that goes with the 'I'm trying out for everything phase' or the newest 'everyone has one' gadget/toy? And where do you put a 6' 1" teen age boy and his library of video gaming equipment? What about a moody 16-year-old girl, her make-up, hair accessories and all those clothes?

Many of you are literally standing on the answer. Put the kids and all their stuff in the basement!

Here is how I do it.

A small basement storage closet at the bottom of the steps.

A study/game table and couch.

The music, television and video game 'control' center.

The computer and study center. Games, books and supplies are kept in the cabinets. (The green cord running to the television is some kind of elaborate set-up for video games. I can't begin to tell you how it works.)

Basement shower under the stairs.

The basement bathroom.

Basement vanity and small sink.

A close-up of the couch. The commercial grade carpet used in office buildings is more than seven years old.

Basement lounging. My boys are the two on the left. And notice those feet on the pillow. This is the reason to always choose durable stain resistant furniture for basement use.

Until next time!

Genevieve

Storage: Kid's Art!

I just love my creative kiddos and I hate to throw away any piece of artwork that they have spent their valuable time creating! But I must admit, it begins to pile up! What starts out as a small collection quickly grows. Here are some fun and creative ways to display and store your child's masterpiece.

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Take advantage of a trusty old Three-Ring Binder! Let the kids decorate the front, punch some holes in their artwork and file away! Each child can have their own special color.

• Re-use pizza boxes! That's right, a clean pizza box covered in shelf paper is the perfect storage box. Flat and square, they stack easily and fit on most closet shelves, under beds and out of the way!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Display new creations by attaching string to a yardstick for an impromptu mobile. Using binder clips purchased at an office supply store, you can switch out old creations with new ones on a weekly basis!

• Scan artwork into your computer and use as your screen saver or digital wallpaper!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Purchase inexpensive wooden picture frames and paint them all one color. Frame your little Picasso's drawings and group them together to make a stunning and eye-catching display in their bedroom or in your entryway!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• One of our favorite ways to display artwork is by attaching a clothesline and clipping art to the line to display a gallery of work. You can also use magnetic strips like the one pictured above, attach a self-adhesive magnet to the art and display!
  

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• What to do about on-going projects? We purchased simple wall-mount mailboxes from the local Home & Garden Supply store and painted them to match our walls. By using alphabet magnets to spell out the kids name we created the perfect spot to store drawings that didn't get finished that day and need to be finished. After all, some art is an on-going work in progress!

~Amber