Keeping the kids' room neat is a never-ending challenge. There are classic toys, electronic games, boxed games, clothes, stuffed animals... the list never ends. You need tables and chairs where they can write, draw and work at their computers. And beds take up a large amount of the space where you might otherwise store all their stuff.
Fortunately, you can create storage space that fits right in with their busy lives. Does this Spark an idea?
Ladders
Ladders may not be your first thought when you think of storage, but they can be useful. Hung horizontally from the ceiling, they create a series of short clothes hanger rods. Add four legs and drape multicolored cloth bags between the rungs and they become a catchall for dirty clothes or small toys.
Cubes
Storage cubes are a versatile way to add storage to a child's room. Little more than boxes that are open on one side, cubes can be stacked to form walls of "cubbyholes," where books, toys or games can be stored safely out of the way but in clear view. These can be rearranged and restacked as the child's needs change and can be easily moved from one position in the room to another.
Cubes are typically built from either plywood or particle board. (Commercial systems are also available.) Paint is a popular finish, as it is both brightly colored and easy to clean.
Seating
Chairs and benches offer many ways to add storage in a child's room. The simplest are single-child stools built from storage cubes. A lid with a cushion becomes the seat; it can be either hinged to the cube or held on by the friction of an attached square of wood, sized to fit tightly inside the cube's opening. Back rests can be attached to the cube if desired; simply screw a tall board to the back of the cube.
Storage chests and benches are just larger versions of cubes. Intended to hold many more items, these furnishings can be as elaborate or simple as you desire. Loose cushions can be used for sitting, perhaps with a ridge of molding added to the edges of the lid to keep them from slipping around, or a thick foam pad can be laid on the top and upholstery material wrapped around both foam and lid. The material can then be stapled to the underside of the lid.
Tables and Desks
Take a wide, flat box, add a lid and legs, and you have a storage table. With an inside depth of only 3 or 4 inches, such tables are perfect for storing pencils, crayons, drawing pads and art supplies, and they still provide plenty of legroom underneath.
A desk is little more than a table top placed on a bookcase or cabinet and can be created in any number of ways. Set a table top across two cabinets for a traditional-looking desk. A low bookcase can form the support for the back edge of a desk; add a couple of legs to the front to make it stable. A couple of storage cubes can be stacked to form the support for one side of a desk; legs can be added to the other side. Just look around your child's room; you'll probably find other ways to combine a desktop into an existing storage area.
Beds
Underneath a bed is an excellent place to add storage. Build a large platform or box to carry the mattress, leaving one long side of the box open. Add one or two supports, spaced equally along the side. Build smaller boxes to fit between these supports, adding casters underneath so they can be rolled out when needed.
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