Closet Organization Tips from a Mom of Five: What Actually Works

Let’s talk about closet organization—but not in a Pinterest-perfect, color-coded-everything kind of way. I’m talking about real life, real kids, and organizing in a way that actually works and makes your life easier.

I recently reorganized my kids’ bedrooms (with help and commentary from my daughter Kaylee in the backseat while I recorded this in the car—classic mom multitasking), and I want to share what we’ve tried, what worked for different seasons of life, and what we’re doing now that’s saving us all a lot of time and frustration.

I am not wasting my time showing you anything other than exactly what it looks like now. If you were coming over to visit I wouldn’t stage my house either… so enjoy this real life closet!

Start Where You Are: Open Shelves for the Toddler Years

When my kids were babies and toddlers, I didn’t care what looked nice—I cared about what worked. That season of life was hands-on, messy, and fast-paced. I needed storage that didn’t slow us down.

So I used closet organization shelves that were open. No doors. No fancy bins. Just wide, flat shelves low to the ground. I could set toys directly on them, and the kids could grab what they wanted without asking for help. More importantly, they could put things away without me doing it for them.

Did it always look tidy? No. But it worked for that season.

When your babies are small, your home needs to reflect that. Sometimes that means your shelves are cluttered-looking because it’s more important for your toddler to safely grab their blocks than for you to have Instagram-worthy organization.

And that’s okay.

Why I Didn’t Use Cube Shelves (At First)

You know those cube shelves with the little square compartments that everyone raves about? I avoided them for a long time. I thought they were cute, but in real life? They just didn’t work for us.

Those small cube shelf spaces were way too limiting. If a toy was even slightly too big—like the kids’ giant plastic dinosaurs—it wouldn’t fit, and that cube became useless. I didn’t want to force everything into specific boxes just to make it look neat.

In that season, I needed function over form. And cube shelves weren’t cutting it.

What Changed: Cube Shelves in the Closet

Now that my kids are older and more independent, cube shelves finally make sense—but only in one specific spot: inside their closets.

I don’t use them as open shelving in the main part of their room. That still feels too exposed and visually overwhelming. But inside the closet? That’s where cube shelves shine.

They divide the space into clean, defined sections
They make it easy to categorize toys, clothes, and accessories
They hide the mess while still being functional
And they help keep the closet from becoming one big junk pile

Closet organization is hard to maintain without some structure. Cube shelves give us that structure without taking up space in the rest of the room.

What I Look for in Closet Bins

Let’s talk bins—because I have opinions.

Right now, we’re using bins that have a clear window on the front so you can see what’s inside. This was a huge upgrade from our old system of just tossing everything into deep, dark bins and forgetting what was in there.

But I learned something the hard way: floppy bins are frustrating. You know the ones—they collapse in on themselves, never hold their shape, and make everything look a little bit off.

So here’s what I recommend:

Get clear-front bins so kids can see what’s inside
These ones are okay. Not the best, not the worst but rather than retuning it and making my life harder I am just going to let them do their job.
Avoid floppy fabric bins—choose ones that are sturdy and structured
It’s rare that I LOVE a product but I LOVE these bins. They are so sturdy and large that we are actually using them as a laundry bin now.

This isn’t about being fussy. It’s about making it easy for your kids (and yourself) to stay organized.

Teaching Kids to Manage Their Own Stuff

One of the most satisfying things about this closet setup is how much ownership my kids are taking over their own things.

Before this the two girls shared a laundry basket on the floor of the closet. It was always full and honestly, full of clean clothes because they change a million times a day.

Mama got tired of that and gave them each their own basket and now they are both responsible for washing and putting away their own clothes (with my assistance of course). All of a sudden their laundry has been drastically reduced, they are putting it away the right way and we’re all happier. Me because I am not washing clean clothes. Them because they have a new age appropriate responsibility.

Dr. Amen says if you do something for their kids that they can do themselves, you are stealing their confidence. So, let your kids do their own laundry! You all will be better off – for reference they are 5 & 7 and I do help with what they need help with but I am no longer doing it all for them.

👉 [Link to the laundry baskets we use here]. It’s the same ones we’re using to organize their shelves and stuffed animals.

Seasons Change, and So Does Your Home

This is something I talk about a lot in Motherhood Simplified—your home should reflect the season of life you’re in.

When your kids are little, you’re going to need easy-to-reach open shelves. When they get older, you’ll want hidden storage that lets them manage their own stuff. There’s no single right way to do closet organization—but there is a right-for-you way.

And it will change as your life changes.

Don’t get caught up in what looks pretty online. Sometimes, function is the most beautiful thing in a home—because it helps everything run smoother and feel calmer.

What We’re Doing Now (and Why It Works)

Here’s a quick summary of what’s working in our home right now:

Open closet organization shelves were great for toddlers—no doors, no fuss, all accessible.
We skipped small cube shelves in the early years—they weren’t practical for our toy sizes.
Cube shelves now live in the closets—they help keep things tidy without cluttering up the room.
We use clear, sturdy bins that help kids see what’s inside while holding their shape.
Every child has their own laundry basket, and that one shift helped them take responsibility and reduced the mess in a huge way.

We also added a blue cabinet with doors in their bedroom for things like games. Now that they’re older, I don’t have to worry about pinched fingers, and it lets us hide the visual clutter of colorful board games and puzzle boxes.

👉 [Link to similar blue cabinet here]

Final Thoughts

If you’re in a season where nothing looks picture-perfect—take a breath. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing what works, and that’s what matters most.

Organizing your closet (and your home) isn’t about making it look like a magazine. It’s about making it functional, livable, and supportive of your family’s needs.

Your systems will grow and change as your family does. And that’s a good thing.