Organizing Your Teen's Desk: 11 Must-Haves

Do you have a teenage son with an unruly desk in his bedroom? Is it being overrun by Legos, clutter, puzzles, books, papers, or even dirty laundry?!

 

If so, it's time to clean that sucker off & start fresh....clear the clutter, and implement some new storage systems that will help your son to stay organized. It's important for your son to have a designated spot for homework, and if it's organized, I bet he'll be more willing to sit there and do it :) So, without further ado, here are 11 of my "must-haves" for organizing your teenage son's desk area:

 

 

1. Charging Station. Since every teenager these days has multiple devices, it's nice to have one place to corral them (and charge them at the same time). I love how this one conceals

all the cables with an easy lift-off lid.

 

2. Shelves. It's always best to maximize vertical space if possible, and a system of shelves (or even just one shelf) is the perfect solution over your son's desk. It's the perfect place for storage boxes, books, and even knick knacks. Just make sure the shelf or shelves are deep

 enough to hold the pieces you want!

 

3. File Box. Pop some hanging folders inside, and a file box is the ideal place to store important documents, notebook paper, and extra paperwork from school.

 

4. Metal Locker Bin. Concealed storage is key when dealing with clutter, and I love how this bin resembles an old-school metal locker.

 

5. Lamp. If your son's room doesn't have the best lighting, it's important to have a lamp to provide it. You know, just in case they're up late, burning the midnight oil & doing homework :)

 

6. Magazine File. My son is only 7 but already has two magazine subscriptions! I love these magazine files as a place to store their favorite issues.

 

7. Pencil Cup. You can never have enough pencils when it comes to homework...

 

8. Wall Organizing System. Whether it be a corkboard, dry-erase calendar, chalkboard, or memo board, it is essential to have some type of wall organizing system for your son. It's a good place to pin up weekly assignments & important reminders from school, or even just favorite pictures, mementos, or awards to personalize the space.

 

9. Storage Boxes. In my opinion, storage boxes are my #1 favorite organizing product. They are great for storing extra cords or miscellaneous items not used often.

 

10. Desktop Storage. In case your son's desk does not have a drawer, I adore this option for storing extra homework supplies. (Think: markers, scissors, ruler, and colored pencils.)

 

11. Drawer Organizers. Because ideally, the desk does have a drawer or two

to store homework supplies :)

 

 

*Just in case you need a little more inspiration on organizing your son's desk area, here ya go!*

{1 / 2 / 3 / 4}

And one more thing: I would advise having your son involved in both the de-cluttering & organizing process. Find out what his ideas are, his needs & wants, and what you can do to make it his new favorite place to be productive. Good luck!

Friday Favorites: 8 Must-Haves For Your Nursery

I couldn't pick just ONE "Friday Favorite" today, so instead, you get EIGHT!

 

1. I adore this Diaper Caddy (with the option of a personalized liner!) from Pottery Barn Kids. I used this with both of my little ones, and it was super handy to have right next to them on the changing table. The liner has 3 compartments, which keep all your baby-changing essentials organized.

 

2. I mentioned in my post earlier this week that Hanging Organizers in the closet are the best! Both of our kids' closets still use one, even though they're not infants anymore. These organizers can hold anything....from linens to shoes to stuffed animals.

 

3. Now, this is not an organizational item, but I couldn't resist throwing it in. These Aden + Anais swaddle blankets are hands-down the best. Moms with infants: go get some today, if you don't already have them!

 

4. This DexBaby Nursery Organizer is perfect for hanging on the side of your changing table, or and holds all your essentials. When my kids were little, we set up a second "changing station" downstairs, because our kids' rooms were upstairs. This handy thing can just clip right on the front of your pack-n-play and voila! Double diaper duty.

 

5. Cube Storage pieces are so versatile, and can be used to organize SO many things in your nursery. Books, toys, stuffed animals.....even clothes or linens! And I love that you can mix concealed storage with open storage.

 

6. Every nursery needs a pop of color. And these Canvas Bins from The Land of Nod can provide that pop, as well as lots of functional storage. (I have an upcoming client who needs her nursery organized, and the gray striped bins are already in my shopping cart online! :)

 

7. We have Hooks in almost every room of our house! They can serve many purposes in your nursery....whether that be to hang up your diaper bag, itty bitty jackets, or even your carrier/sling.

 

8. I cannot say enough good things about these Drawer Dividers from IKEA. (Hello, a set of 6 dividers only costs $8!) They can be used inside your changing table/dresser to organize diapers, wipes, pajamas, socks, onesies and even swaddle blankets.

 

 So there you have it, folks! My 8 Must-Haves for your nursery.

 

*If you click on all the links above, you will see that I have a few "go to" sites for kids' organizational products: Amazon, Pottery Barn Kids, IKEA, The Land of Nod, and Target. Please keep in mind that in these opinions are all my own, and in no way did I receive payment for this post*

 

 Happy Organizing!