Storage Solutions: Baby Clothes

Today's Agenda: Helping a friend think about creative storage solutions for baby clothes you want to keep out of sight, but close at hand for the next one. {These solutions also can work for toddler, teen or adult clothes or for storing off-season clothes!}

Option 1:

This is a beautiful, ideal, peaceful solution but for many people just not workable. You'd have to hire a professional folder from the Gap to come in and maintain this. There has to be another solution.

Option 2:
An easy solution is to just throw the clothes in a box, put them behind a door and call it a day.

Two reasons this may not be the best idea -- (1) bugs and (2) there are so many other more stylish, creative options out there why not try a couple and see how they work.

Let's focus on what the storage solution has to provide first. Our needs are (in no particular order): (1) Sealed closure, to keep out bugs; (2) Space for label, to mark season and size; (3) Soft outside, just in case a little one does get to them, or easy to store out of their reach; (4) style/blends in with the room's decor; (5) use of minimal space.

Here are just a few ideas:

Option 3:


This Reisenthel Storage Box can be set on a shelf that is hung high on the wall, away from the kids, or stacked in a closet on the floor or a shelf in the closet. {The Lack shelf from Ikea is a good option because you don't need brackets if you are trying to keep a minimalist look and there are some sizes that are pretty deep and it now comes in a variety of colors -- Yellow shelf with the black/white/gray would be a nice combo.} Determine what size box you need to create the look you want -- storing clothes in smaller boxes makes it easier to get to what you need. Label each box in the space provided using a label maker and keep the look nice and neat. These boxes are stable but soft, just in case the kids do get into them. Several designs to create a design element in the room. Two other great features (1) zips shut -- NOT just a lid and (2) folds up easily when not in use.

Ikea has their own version that comes in some good kids' room colors.

Or, try this/this option for a more neutral look. These also stack really nicely. If the kids are old enough you could have them draw on these with markers for that original art/graffiti look.

Option 4:

Paint a chalkboard wall in the room you are storing these in (playroom, child's bedroom). Hang any color combination of these or these on one side of the wall from floor to ceiling/along the wall/ just along the ceiling and floor -- whatever configuartion works in the space {these are hung individually so it's easy to make a configuration work in most spaces}. Between the chalkboard (or colored accent wall), the configurated storage, and maybe a couple rods with clips to hang original artwork, the wall will look purposeful and not just like you are trying to stow away items. Store toys in the bottom ones that a little one can reach (or clothes you currently use) and baby clothes in the top ones. For easy access, organize the baby clothes by season and size and roll up like items in freezer gallon size Ziplock bags and use a Sharpie to label what size and season is in each bag. {Or you can use the vacuum seal bags to get more clothes in each bin, esp. winter clothes and blankets, etc., and really keep the bugs out.}

Option 5:

Put baby clothes in these inexpensive, soft-sided, durable storage containers. They come in the size shown or a more rectangular size designed to fit under the bed and they also come in black. You'd want to have an extra closet to put these in to keep away from the kids. Since they are larger, they wouldn't work well on a shelf like the Reisenthel storage containers. They do zip shut and are easy to pull out and carry which is a huge plus (and easy for moving as well!). To keep things organized inside of them I would again organize the baby clothes by season and size and roll up like items in freezer gallon size Ziplock bags or vacuum seal bags and use a Sharpie to label what size and season is in each bag. If you wanted to store clothes for the current or next rotation of clothes, you could use this as an insert to place inside the bag and roll up each outfit in a compartment for easy access in a conveniently located closet.


Option 6:


If you don't care about having covered storage and want to take a more decorative/flexible approach, just place the clothes in the plastic storage bags as described above and put them in decorative boxes or baskets. Repetition looks great so grab at least three to store on a shelf. Here is one cute option. {The milk reference is a little odd but you get the idea of the vintage-looking crate.}

Option 7:

Use these, put clothes in Ziplock bags as described above, behind the clear, open area tape a picture of wrapping paper that has a design complimentary to a design in the room. Lots of fun choices of wrapping paper! These are also nice enough boxes to keep out in the room on a shelf. Or include wrapping paper that coordinates with your (the parents) room or a guest room and simply stack them in there.

Option 8:
You can always get a bunch of Bankers Boxes, cover with fabric or wallpaper that matches the design of the baby's room, put clothes in marked Ziplock bags, label the contents of the box on the back of each box, place them on a shelf or strategically in the room and, voila, instant storage.