How to Organize Your Home for Toddlerhood

Everyone loves to talk about nesting since having a baby is such a life changing event. When I was pregnant with my youngest girl I nested so hard during my third trimester. I basically rearranged my entire house and made my husband build new shelves for our hallway closets. Hilarious in hindsight. Prepping a home for a newborn is definitely important since when they arrive you are insanely tired and can’t really think straight.

However, I think the next major transition we go through as parents isn’t talked about enough. Babyhood is painfully short, transitioning into toddlerhood in the blink of an eye. Doc-a-tots are replaced with walkers, you now have happy sippy cups and water bottles to account for, and snacks are needed all the time. There are so many changes, once again, to your life once your baby turns one. Let’s talk about how to organize your home for a toddler.

In order to understand a toddler, you need to think like a toddler.

They really have minds of their own! In order to better organize our homes for these tiny, curious humans we need to see the world through their eyes. What things might they want to touch, bite, climb, etc.? That means that you may have some things in your home I don’t touch on, since each space is unique. Here are some ways to better organize your home for your toddler(s):

1. Entryway Organizing for Little Ones

Dressing my firstborn for her first couple winters was so insanely stressful! I was always worried she was too cold and unable to communicate with me. Now I’m more confident in dressing my littles warmly, but it took me a while to get used to all of the extra little accessories that came with them.

• Seasonality: Seasonal accessories for toddlers (like mittens and beanies for winter & sunscreen and sun hats for summer), are best kept by the front, back, or garage door (whichever you use the most) so they’re in the most accessible spot possible as you’re leaving or entering your home. If you have an entryway closet you can home the “seasonals” there in a basket or bin! If you don’t (like me 🙃) try keeping said basked close to wear you hang your coats or keep your shoes.
• Jackets/Coats: You’ll also have to contend with little coats for your toddler. I recommend adhering a command hook lower on the wall so they can take ownership in putting their coat up when you get home or grabbing it when you need to leave!

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2. Kitchen and Pantry for Wandering, Tiny Fingers

Remember, if little hands can grab it, they will! I remember the first time my daughter opened a space jar and dumped out the whole thing. It was chili powder too. Fun times. I will say I did learn quickly that I needed to rearrange some items in my kitchen. Every kitchen is very different, but here are some common things to keep in mind.

• Pantry: Keep small, easy to open items such as spices, opened bags of rice/grains, coffee, etc. up away from little fingers. Keep baking items like flour, sugar, vanilla, etc. up as well. Opened snacks and any kids’ snack, really, should be kept up or else they WILL demand them!
• Other Kitchen Items: I keep our lunch bags in a low drawer so I can designate the packing of it to my toddler. In addition, I also keep some non-breakable plates and cups low for her so she can practice setting the table sometimes!
• Be safe: Anything tiny, sharp tools, knives, scissors, thin glass, etc. should be kept in upper cabinets. Keep things like whisks, pans, non-bladed small appliances, cookie cutters, and measuring cups can be kept lower. Your toddler will enjoy playing with them.

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3. Toys: Organizing for Play and Development

Toddlers are active learners, and their toys often become the centerpiece of their daily life. However, this new phase brings toys that are bigger, more complex, and often more plentiful than the simple baby toys. Here are some ideas of how to reorganize your toy situation:

• Rotating Toy System: Instead of overwhelming your toddler with all their toys at once, keep a small selection available and store the rest. Every few weeks, rotate them out. This keeps play exciting for them without feeling like you constantly need new items. Opt for eco-friendly storage bins made from natural materials like wicker or cotton for a sustainable touch.
• Open Shelving or Bins: Toddlers love being able to access things themselves. Low, open shelving or easy-to-reach bins allow them to grab what they need independently. Labeling bins with pictures (for pre-readers) is a great way to teach tidiness early on.

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4. Books: Building a Mini Library

As toddlers grow, their interest in books and learning surges, and you’ll notice them choosing longer picture books over board books. When you organize your home for a toddler, your book storage will need to change, too.

• Create a Reading Corner: A cozy reading nook with low shelves or baskets for easy access helps toddlers develop a love for books. Choose natural wood shelving or thrifted bookcases to align with a sustainable approach. This space can grow with your child, where books are switched out as their interests evolve.
• Rotate Books Like Toys: If you’ve got a big collection of books, rotate them every few months to keep the selection engaging. This also makes organizing easier, as fewer books are out at one time.

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3. Bathroom: Potty Training Essentials

We just went through potty training with my oldest! It was a WILD ride! I highly suggest being prepared for anything during this special experience. 😅 Potty training introduces an entirely new set of items: potty seats, little potties, stools, wipes, and more. The bathroom quickly becomes another space to rethink for efficiency and accessibility!

• Low, Accessible Storage: Set up bins or baskets near the toilet with wipes, training pants, and a few books or toys that may help your toddler stay focused. Keep these items low and within reach to encourage independence.
• Potty Seat Storage: Potty seats actually take up a surprising amount of space! Use hooks on the bathroom wall or back of the door to hang them when not in use. For smaller bathrooms (like mine!), a collapsible seat can be an excellent option since it takes up less space while still serving the need.
• Pro tip: Invest in some sort of potty situation for your car. You can thank me later. 🙃

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4. Clothing: Organizing for Toddlers’ Constant Growth

If there’s one thing that defines toddlerhood, it’s insane growth spurts. Clothing organization needs to be flexible, customizable, and sustainable as you organize your home for a toddler since they outgrow their wardrobes so quickly.

• Seasonal Clothing Rotation: Keep only the current season’s clothes in your toddler’s dresser, and store off-season items in clearly labeled bags and bins. When you buy new clothing, consider high-quality, organic cotton or thrifted pieces to stay eco-conscious.
• Size-Specific Organizers: As toddlers grow so quickly, you may need several sizes of clothing on hand. Use drawer dividers or hanging shelves in closets to separate sizes, making it easy to switch items out as needed. Keep the items they’ve outgrown organized in bins for donation, resale, or passing along to friends.
• Donate or Swap: When your toddler outgrows their clothes, consider donating to local charities, participating in clothing swaps, or passing items down to younger siblings or friends. This not only reduces waste but keeps the cycle of reuse going!

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5. Hair Care & Accessories: Keeping It Simple and Organized

Toddlers are starting to develop preferences for hairstyles, and you may find yourself with an increasing number of hair accessories and care products. I am currently growing out my girl’s bangs so we are using our mini hair bands and hair clips pretty religiously. If I don’t have a system in place to store these, they end up in the abyss, never to be seen again. Organize your home for a toddler by keeping these items in a way that’s simple and easy for you and your mini to use.

• Small Containers for Hair Accessories: Use small, divided containers for hair ties, clips, and bows. Look for recycled plastic or bamboo organizers to keep your system eco-friendly. These small containers can easily fit into a bathroom drawer or on a vanity shelf.
• Store them in multiple places: I like to keep our toddler hair bands in our living room, my bedroom, her bathroom, and also her bedroom. This allows us to easily put them away if she’s getting ready somewhere other than her room. If I didn’t have intentional hair band storage in all of these spaces, I would find them EVERYWHERE all the time!
• Simplify Products: Reduce the number of products you use by choosing multi-purpose, natural hair care products that are safe for both toddlers and adults. This reduces clutter and is kinder to the planet.

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6. Larger Toy Storage: Garage or Shed Solutions

Yeah- I need to get better about keeping my outdoor toys organized. As your child’s toys get bigger, so does the need for larger storage spaces like the garage or shed. Whether it’s ride-on toys, outdoor play equipment, or bikes, here’s how to keep it organized:

• Vertical Storage Solutions: Use wall-mounted storage racks or hooks to keep larger toys off the floor and create more space in your garage or shed.
• Toy Rotation in Garage: If your toddler has lots of outdoor toys, consider a toy rotation system like the one you use indoors. Store out-of-season toys in labeled bins made of and bring them out when the time is right.

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7. Arts and Crafts Storage for Toddlers

Arts and crafts supplies can quickly become a source of chaos. There are typically a lot of small pieces involved and a mess is usually expected when they are in use. Little ones love to create, but when you organize your home for a toddler, keeping their supplies organized will make the process more enjoyable for everyone.

• Central Hub: Find a designated storage spot for your arts and crafts supplies. If you don’t have any closet or storage space, consider utilizing an over-the-door storage system like this one to utilize vertical space!
• Caddies for Supplies: Use a portable caddy or tray with divided sections for crayons, markers, and other art supplies.
• Recycled Storage for Paper and Projects: Repurpose cardboard boxes or old containers to store paper and unfinished projects. This not only keeps your arts and crafts area tidy but is an excellent way to model sustainability for your little one.

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8. Parents’ Items: Keeping Things Out of Reach

Lastly, as toddlers become more curious and mobile, it’s crucial to reorganize areas like your bathroom or closets to keep dangerous or inappropriate items out of their reach.

• High Shelving or Locked Cabinets: If you haven’t yet, move any medications, razors, knives, and cleaning supplies to high shelves or in locked cabinets to ensure safety.
• Declutter Parent Spaces: Simplifying your own items—whether toiletries or closet storage—can make it easier to keep things safe and tidy.
• Do a Double Take: Get down on all fours and crawl around. It seems silly but doing that around your entire house will help you see potentially dangerous things your toddler might want to get into or do that you might not have considered.

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By taking a sustainable approach to reorganizing your toddler’s spaces, you create a more functional, safe, and happy environment that grows with them! Happy organizing! Let me know if you implement any of these changes in the comments below.

Interested in getting organized for your little ones but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’re just interested in getting someone else’s eyes on the situation? I would love to help! Click here to learn more about me (and my own littles) and even set up a quick discovery call if you’re ready to get started.