Herding the Chaos – Organizing Three Kid Bedrooms & a Playroom
Client: The Thompson Family
Location: Cary, NC
Project Duration: 3 days, 3 organizers
Organizing Lead: Perri Kersh, Neat Freak Professional Organizing plus 2 team members
Cost Estimate: $$$
The Challenge
When the Thompson family reached out, they were deep in the trenches of kid clutter. With three kids under 10, each with their own bedroom and a shared playroom, things had slowly spiraled out of control. Clothes were constantly on the floor, toys had taken over every surface, and no one could ever seem to find a LEGO minifigure head when they needed it (and trust me—they always need it).
Mom described it as “a full-time job just managing stuff.”
Dad described it as “a minefield of doll shoes and action figures.”
And the kids? Well, they were just happily contributing to the chaos.
The Goals
Simplify and streamline the contents of each bedroom
Create systems that kids can actually maintain
Bring order (and joy!) back to the shared playroom
Support independence while reducing the “Mooooom, where’s my…?” questions
The Process
Step 1: Edit Without Emotion
We started by working with the parents (and eventually, the kids) to sort through each bedroom. Outgrown clothes, forgotten toys, and books that were never going to be read again all got reassigned—either donated, recycled, or stored for younger siblings. This is where we make the hard but necessary choices: Is it loved? Is it used? Does it spark joy or just take up floor space?
Step 2: Organize With Intention
Each child’s room was tailored to their age and personality. One loved books and quiet time (cue cozy reading nook). Another was a budding fashionista (hello, labeled bins for accessories!). The youngest needed low, accessible storage to build independence.
In the playroom, we created functional zones—arts & crafts, pretend play, building, puzzles & games. We corralled the chaos into clear bins with picture labels, making it easy for even the youngest to know what goes where.
Step 3: Store Smart + Style Simply
We used open-top bins, labeled drawers, and color-coded cubbies. Durable, easy-to-use containers were key—because if the system isn’t kid-friendly, it won’t stick. We also created a “treasure box” for each child—one spot to keep their special, random little collections that might not make sense to grown-ups (but are everything to a 6-year-old).
And yes, we left room to grow—because toys change, hobbies shift, and kids are always evolving.
The Result
By the end of Day Three, the Thompsons had:
✨ Three tidy, personalized kid bedrooms
✨ One joyful, functional playroom
✨ A system the whole family could maintain
✨ And one very relieved mom who said, “I feel like I can breathe again.”
Even better? The kids wanted to keep things organized. They were excited to clean up, proud of their spaces, and thrilled to be able to find their favorite toys without a parent’s help.
The Neat Freak Takeaway
Kids’ spaces don’t have to be perfect—but they can be peaceful. When you give children structure, clarity, and just enough autonomy, they’ll surprise you. And when the stuff is under control, the real magic—creativity, connection, and calm—can take center stage.
Got kid clutter? Let’s tackle it together. I promise: less mess + less stress = more yes!