If you have more than one child sharing a bedroom — or are just plain short on space (and who isn’t these days?) — here are a few easy, fast and inexpensive tips to keep little clutterbugs organized.

Make Easy, Low-Cost Storage with Versatile Plastic Crates
Plastic storage crates offer durable, versatile and easy-access storage options with a low price tag. Use crates to organize existing shelves, extend dresser-top display space upward, or expand under-bed or closet storage space. You can even stack 9-12 together as a “wall unit” — just snap the crates together or secure with plastic zip-ties, then attach the unit to the wall with a furniture strap to help prevent tipping. Since they’re washable, plastic crates are an especially practical choice for storing craft supplies for a budding artist. You’ll find functional, fun plastic storage crates at any discount store or home store.

Wicker and Plastic Baskets are Functional and Decorative, Too.
Colorful baskets make wonderful storage containers for children, and these days you can find very durable, wicker-like baskets that are actually made of easy-care plastic.

 Use large baskets on the bedroom floor to hold favorite books and magazines — look for large hamper styles with lids, or mid-size stacking sets for this purpose. Smaller baskets may be placed on bedside tables, dressers or countertops to house hair clips, jewelry/accessories and lightweight collectibles. Shop for basket bargains at unexpected places such as yard sales, flea markets, import stores, discount stores and gift stores, then customize with a few coats of spray paint. Once you master this easy craft project, you may discover that you are having such fun that you must paint a couple of baskets for the living room or your own bedroom.

Style tip! Try working with two colors, one sprayed over the other, then lightly sand through the top coat in spots to achieve a slightly distressed cottage basket look. Seal with a coat of clear in matte or gloss.

Find Great Spaces Below with Bunk and Loft-Style Beds
Bunk beds and loft-style beds offer vertical sleeping areas that are great space savers for older children. Loft beds generally are built high up and enclosed on three sides. The last side is open and features a ladder that is placed against the loft to provide access to the bed. Underneath, the loft bed provides ample storage space where bookcases, desks or chests-of-drawers may be built-in, stackable crates utilized, or seating added.

When shopping for bunk beds and loft style beds, quality counts! Search for the best quality, sturdiest frame that you can afford, built to current safety standards. Bring your child with you when you are shopping and allow them to “sample” the unit. Remember that the bed will be holding your most precious possession each and every day and night: your child!

Expand Hidden or Forgotten Spaces for Maximum Storage

Under the Bed: Maximize the under-bed space of any style bed in your child’s room by utilizing low-clearance storage baskets made for this purpose. Also consider washable cloth storage bags to store out-of-season clothing in under-bed areas. Add more under-bed space and create a decorator look by lifting the bed frame using sturdy BedRizers – this idea is best applied in older children’s rooms because of the increased bed height. Also, a trundle-style daybed without the trundle mattress underneath offers loads of underbed space in a kid’s room.

In the Closet: You can maximize a child’s closet space in a number of easy ways: try adding a low chest of drawers to walk-in closets; hanging a shelf organizer from the rod (we like the sturdy plastic style from Wal-Mart); stacking storage crates on the upper shelf to add vertical space; or hanging an adjustable shelf set on the back of the door for videos, toys, shoes or knick-knacks.

On the Walls: Wall-mounted shelves are great display and storage additions to any kid’s room. Children from 4-5 years of age are generally old enough to safely access books, toys and videos displayed on lower, well-secured wall shelves, but be sure to mount shelves out of toddler reach to prevent pull-up or climbing accidents. Try adding shelves over windows to display fragile collectibles and hold storage boxes full of memories – all safely out of reach.

Managing busy summertime work and play schedules can be hectic — sometimes downright stressful — for even the most organized among us. Until now, school days provided an almost eight-hour workday free from most distractions, and after school activities were just that, after school – and thus, after your workday.

Summertime schedules differ greatly. Fun, safe and educational summer programs abound to occupy kids of all ages, but they typically do not last eight hours each day. Unless you’re willing to take on the expense of a daycare-type program to free up several hours each day, you’ll have to get creative and do a little research and planning to make time for both work and family.

Have a plan for work and for fun
First, take a moment to review your at-home work routine. How many hours each day are required to accomplish your work tasks? Do you require a quiet setting? Do you need to meet clients or be available per their schedules? Do you typically work during the day, with the kids in school, or at night after they’re in bed? Do you work weekends, a few days a week, or strictly Monday through Friday?

Now see where you can build in flexibility and family time during the summer months. Can a five-day work schedule allow for one or two complete days off if more hours are worked on the other three? Can you squeeze all of your work into a few hours each day if you have complete quiet?

After you have defined your work requirements and areas for flexibility, it’s time to look for activities for the kids that fit your work schedule, your kids’ interests, and your budget.

Many organizations offer part-day summer programs for school-aged kids. Some, like those at your local library may be free, while others generally carry program fees to cover staff and materials. Places to check include your school system, area junior colleges, local libraries, churches, community theater groups, local parks, zoos, museums, neighborhood recreation and community centers, and of course, the YMCA and scouting groups.

With a little planning, you can schedule a combination of activities throughout the summer to give your kids fun, new experiences while providing the time you need to concentrate on work. Don’t forget to check within your parent network, too. You may find some great activities with carpool opportunities built in!

Remember to take time off!
Ask anyone who works for themselves or sets their own schedule — one of the hardest things to do is schedule time off. If you find this a challenge, don’t delay scheduling time off this summer, do it now – and stick to it! Even if you don’t have any travel plans or big ideas for a vacation, take time off to spend with your family – maybe just sitting by a pond sipping lemonade…

After all, that’s why you chose to work from home in the first place!

Happily, there are many simple, inexpensive, and best of all – stylish - storage solutions that do everything from protecting valuable items to neatly disguising mounds of toys. Here are a few tips that can help turn Romper Room into a room welcoming to all family members, even those over the age of 3, in a matter of minutes.   

Storage-Style Furniture Safety
When seeking storage solutions, be aware of double-duty storage ottomans, benches, and coffee and side tables. These ingenious furnishings offer loads of storage space, but often have heavy lids that can come down hard on the fingers — or head — of a curious toddler. But don’t be frightened off by safety concerns, instead consider installing a locking strap in an inconspicuous place to limit access.  If you’re very handy, you might consider installing a small household door dampening unit (available at most hardware stores) on to the lid to prevent slamming.

Great-Looking Camouflage
Decorative stacking baskets and hatboxes can be very utilitarian. Filled with fragile or hideaway items, they can be stacked on top of entertainment centers, armories or high shelves, away from little hands. More durable designs become stylish and accessible “toy boxes” when filled and placed under the coffee table, on the hearth, in a corner or under a side table. Containers come in many styles, colors and sizes to mix and match. Cleaning up was never so much fun!

Repurposing Existing Storage
You can find storage for little ones’ playthings by reorganizing some of your own. Once they’ve discovered the lower drawers, doors and shelves in the entertainment center, make those areas toy keepers and move more fragile items to higher shelves, or tuck them away in storage containers out of reach until kids are older. Remember – if your toddler can walk, he soon will move and climb on chairs, so keep fragile, heavy or dangerous items safely out of reach.

Display Breakables with Confidence
Ledge-style and wall-mounted shelves offer great storage and display alternatives for your collectibles, frames and fragile display pieces. These versatile shelves complement any décor without creating the “shelf staircase” inherent with wall shelf units. Confidently display fragile items on out-of-reach shelves by securing them with museum-tested products like Museum Gel and Quake-Hold Putty.

Also, if allowing a child access to items stored in storage-style furniture, be sure they can comfortably lift the lid, and that there is air access within the piece – just in case the item stored is the child himself during a game of hide and seek.