Your Guide to Organizing Kids Rooms on a Budget

For most of us, cleaning and organizing isn’t really something we “enjoy” doing. It’s just a necessary part of our daily routine. For our little ones, though, these tasks can be extra boring, especially when there are other fun things to do instead! Still, today we’re going to try to help you get your children a bit more on board with the whole “cleaning thing” by tackling the topic of organizing kids’ rooms on a budget.

It’s much easier to take pride in your space when you’ve taken the time to decorate it yourself. That’s why involving your kids in this process is so important, especially with younger children. Helping them create a space of their very own—while still staying organized and within budget—will hopefully help give them a bit of motivation to keep things a little tidier.

Designing the Perfect Play Area

Organizing kids rooms on a budget focuses mainly on arranging the area for the perfect balance of functionality and toy storage, but there’s no reason that we can’t do a bit of redesigning as well while we’re at it. The redesign process really starts with a conversation, so you’ll want to ask your child the following questions as a first step. What they come up with will help you two develop a plan!

• “What’s your favorite thing to do in your room?” Chances are, you already have a pretty good idea of your child’s current hobbies, but it’s best to get a clear answer so you can plan the redesign around their favorite activities. 
• “Is there anything you wish you had the space for?” Depending on how your child’s room is currently laid out, there might be things they wish they could do (but simply don’t have the space for). With a slight rearrangement and some organization, they might find out that their small room has more space than they thought!
• “What’s the easiest way to put your toys away?” If you’re having trouble getting your little ones to clean at all, then it might be worth it to just go for what’s easiest for them. You can obviously change this later on, but Rome wasn’t built in a day! Using large bins and baskets can make it easier for them to quickly clean up the area without needing to spend a lot of time picking up.

By asking these—and similar—questions, you should be able to make a simple map of the new space layout that looks good, is easy to clean, and gives them plenty of space to play. Having the map will make it a lot easier for your kids to understand how their space will be organized, especially if it’s a small space.

Budget-Friendly Redesign Resources

• Your local thrift store (ideal for used furniture and other large items)
• Garage sales (perfect for knick-knacks and unique items)
• Online marketplaces (great for more expensive items at affordable prices)
• Local art stores (for making your own wall art)
• Local dollar stores (for smaller, simple decorations)

It’s Time to Declutter!

Decluttering is an essential part of organizing kids’ rooms on a budget, even if it’s really more of an ongoing task. You’ll still want to declutter the room before you start to organize, and I’d recommend doing it at least twice a year, every year.

Decluttering is basically just removing extra things. Most kids just have too much stuff that they don’t use, especially if they’re constantly cycling through different hobbies and interests as they grow. Still, it’s a sure-fire way to free up some space, so I recommend starting by coming up with a plan.

Decluttering: The Basics

My usual decluttering plan starts by sitting down with my little one and helping sort their items into three distinct categories: “keep,” “donate,” or “throw away.”

• “Keep” items that your child still uses or plans on using in the near future, as well as any essential items and items that can be repurposed.
• “Donate” or sell any items that are still in good working condition but your child no longer uses or needs.  
• “Throw away” any items that are broken and can’t be repaired.

If your child has a lot of things in their room, this process can seem overwhelming at first. To make it seem more approachable, I’d suggest tackling the room in sections, rather than all at once.  Start with the sections that will make the most impact on the room overall, then work towards organizing the less impactful little things. Seeing noticeable progress can be a great motivator!

A Helpful Hint: Reuse, repurpose, or sell items as much as possible to keep costs low. For example, saving and repurposing old storage boxes—rather than buying new ones—can help cut down on unnecessary expenses. Working items that can’t be reused or repurposed can always be sold, helping put some money back into the budget for future upgrades.

Assessing the Area

Once you two have properly decluttered the space, the next step of organizing kids’ rooms on a budget is to assess the area. Don’t worry, though, as this process is really simple. I’ve found that the best way to approach it is by measuring the area to get a few numbers, jotting them down on a piece of paper, then using these measurements to figure out what can fit where.

Remember how we designed “the perfect play area” earlier? Well, this is where those redesign ideas can come in handy! By measuring your area as well as any storage solutions or furniture you might be using, you can make sure everything will actually fit in its specific areas before moving them around.

Once you’ve reviewed your notes and the measurements check out, you can start moving things to their new home. 

Smart Storage Solutions

Chances are, your kids already have storage options in their room. These could be dressers, bookshelves, drawers, storage bins, small baskets, or anywhere else where they can put items. Moving things around in the room will help make these areas more accessible, but it’s also a good idea to decide which items will go where.

Having a specific spot for different types of items can help your kid keep a bit more organized moving forward. Sorting these items ahead of time will help you make sure that big and small toys alike can fit in their designated spot, preventing cramming and piles later on.

If possible, also try to take advantage of vertical storage solutions like shelves or a small dresser when organizing kids rooms on a budget. These take up the least floor space, leaving your child plenty of space to play.

Finding the Right Furniture

Your child’s bedroom likely already has some furniture in it, but they might want to add a bit more when you’re organizing kids rooms on a budget. I recommend looking for furniture that can double as a storage solution to maximize space, like a bunk bed with drawers.

For more particular pieces, looking at second-hand furniture together is going to be your best option. Going to thrift shops and yard sales will definitely help you find the furniture you need while staying within budget.

Depending on what you’re adding, you may even be able to DIY it! If all your child wants is a new color scheme, you likely won’t even need to replace the furniture itself. Instead, a bit of patience and some paint might be all you need to revamp your kid’s bedroom at an affordable price point.

Organizing Kids Rooms On a Budget FAQs

How to maximize space in a kids room?

Using vertical storage is a great way to save space, especially in a small room. Shelves, over-the-door organizers, under-bed storage, and similar storage systems are all great ways to save some space. If your child has a small closet, don’t forget to take advantage of this closet space as well.

How to organize a kids room with ADHD?

If your child has ADHD,  then structure and visibility should be key points in your organizing efforts. Labels are a must-have! If possible, separate storage containers so each one contains only one category of items, and consider using clear bins as well. Clear bins are great as they make things easier to find when you’re not quite sure where they might be.

How can I decorate my kids room cheaply?

Repurposing existing items using art supplies and being willing to take on small DIY projects are two of the most cost-effective methods to decorating and organizing kids rooms on a budget. Consider printing out “posters” and framing them, making a display of their favorite toys, repainting existing furniture, and similar ways to let out a little creativity.

If you don’t mind spending a bit of money, adding small items like LED stands or fairy lights can add a lot of presence without costing a ton of money. Stickers and wall decals are great, affordable options as well!

The Most Important Part of Organizing Kids Rooms On a Budget

In the end, the most important part of organizing kids rooms on a budget is remembering to work together.

• Keep your kid involved in the process, from helping design the layout to actually getting everything set up and organized. 
• Encourage creativity by taking their visions and trying to come up with budget-friendly ways to achieve something that’s both fun and functional.
• Focus on repurposing old items—rather than replacing them—when possible. Not only will this help you keep the budget small, but it also lets your child’s creativity shine through in their uniquely designed and decorated room. 

The entire process can take a while, but just remember to stay patient and positive as you work together. Don’t feel like you need to tackle everything all at once, either. Even small changes can have big results! By the end, your child will not only end up with a clutter-free environment that they can feel proud of, but an organized space that’s easier to keep tidy and enjoy for years to come.