Our first reader selected space for Operation Simplify and Organize is a bookcase in a boys room. The room and a red, white, and blue train theme. The room is shared by 2 brothers ages 5 and 7
Love the Pottery Barn wall unit. They are so functional. This one has gotten a little over run with books and “stuff”.
Simplify step 1: Go through all the books. Sort them. Donate those that aren’t being utilized, put any sentimental books away, put most commonly read books into baskets or buckets of some sort next to each of their beds. Eliminate the books from the center lower shelf.
Simplify tip #2: Remove all clutter from the top of the unit. Sort through it and decide keep, donate, or trash.
Simplify tip #3: These boys are quite the savers! 6 banks! Can you narrow it down to 1 pig each and 1 vehicle? We can display them on the newly uncluttered top shelf!
Organize tip # 1: Once the middle section of the unit is cleared out, get 4 canvas bins to give you some closed storage (helps with the clutters)
Organize tip # 2: Take all the small stacked up books on the right side and store those and any other small books in the bin in the unit or next to their beds. Neatly put all appropriate sized books on the top shelves in the 2 side units. All series books should be displayed here.
Now that the clutter is gone and the shelves are organized, there is a very large space above the unit that needs to be addressed. There are several things you can do with this space. Keeping the budget to a minimum, I am going to suggest a DIY project that you and the boys can do together. It will make a great statement in the space and give them something to be proud of, as well as an afternoon project.
Organize tip #3: Take frames that were on top just leaning and hang on other smaller walls in the room or put them away.
I hope this was helpful and I look forward to seeing the “after” picture, especially the artwork.
Wishing you a simply wonderful day,
