Designing a Closet That Will Transition From Child to Teen
A kid’s closet can be one of the more difficult spaces to design in your home, and one of the most important. The space needs to have storage that’s functional for your child now but that can be adapted as they grown into a teen. You’ll want to plan ahead so that this closet space can adapt as the years pass — no remodeling or extra furniture purchases necessary.
To design a child’s closet that can stand the test of time, here are some expert tips for this sometimes-tricky space.
Create accessibility:One of the most important parts of designing a kid’s closet is making sure that your child can access items themselves, especially when it comes to getting dressed. Avoid drawers that hide clothing and segment the closet with higher and lower hanging rods. Clothing that will be worn everyday should be hung on the lower rods within easy reach. As your child grows, you can change the configuration to have the top rod hold pants and the bottom rod hold shirts.
Make sure there’s a specific place for everything: Having dedicated storage space for toys, games, and books ensures that your child will be able to put everything back where it goes when they’ve finished playing. Label bins and baskets to make sure everything is easy to find. Even teens (and adults, for that matter) can appreciate this kind of organization.
Set kids up for success:Keep homework and study areas simple; children only really need a place to sit, paper, pens, pencils and potentially a computer for their studies. Depending on the size of your child’s room and closet, you could include a desk in the closet that your child can use throughout their childhood and teen years.
Think about technology:You may want to incorporate a charging station in your child’s closet system. While they may not have their own devices that require charging yet, the chances are that will change in the coming years. A designated tech station for charging their devices can also make a teen feel more grown-up.
Include teens in a simple redesign process:Making small cosmetic changes to your child’s closet when they enter the teenage years can be an inexpensive way for them to personalize their space. Changing the hardware, adding hooks to hang purses and bags, or replacing storage baskets will update the look of the closet, without breaking the bank.
Adapt as necessary:As your child grows, they may start to request more privacy. It’s important to provide drawers and cabinets for personal items so that your child won’t feel the need to hide things all over the room.