Tips

7 Solutions To Help Your Teen Stay Organized

7 Solutions To Help Your Teen Stay Organized
As our kids grow, their messes often do too. Never is that more apparent than when you live with a busy teenager (or let's be honest, a grown adult who acts like a teenager). Between studying, sports, and seeing their friends, staying organized often takes a backseat in their busy schedule. So, does that mean you're stuck with the stress and mess until they leave the nest? No way! Scroll down for one-step systems to help your teen build better habits over time.

1. Sports Equipment

The Problem: Sports come with a lot of oddly shaped things. 

The Excuse: “My lacrosse stick won’t fit in one of your bins, mom! Where else am I supposed to put it other than the floor?!"

The Solution: Fair point, kid. The easiest course of action is vertical storage, such as a repurposed broom holder or wall storage rack.

Bonus tip: Store balls, gloves, and smaller equipment in clear containers that are tall and deep enough to avoid any spillover. These clear stackable bins from The Container Store come in a variety of size options, and include removable dividers for containing items within a larger category.

2. Beauty and Grooming Products

The Problem: It always looks like a tornado ran through their bathroom.

The Excuse: “I don’t have time in the morning to put all my stuff back in drawers!”  

The Solution: We always say there are two types of people in this world: Drawer people and counter people. Most teens are counter people. This means that if they can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. And if it takes an extra step to put things away? Game over. Use clear stackable drawers and small bins with inserts to keep items contained within their category is key.

3. Desk Supplies

The Problem: You can never find your pens because your teen is constantly snatching them.

The Excuse: “I lost mine!"

The Solution: This 4-Piece Desktop Edit will not only keep you from policing your pen stash, but will also help your teen keep their desk neat and their supplies easy to access. The small bins are modular so the system can be customized.

4. Shoes

The Problem: Shoes are in the entryway and all over their bedroom floor.

The Excuse: “Why put my shoes away if I’m just going to put them back on?”  

The Solution: This one may seem a little extra but bear with us. Nothing is cooler than this spinning shoe shelf, and we're sure your teen will agree. Just place in the corner of their room and watch them take pride in their collection.

5. School Papers

The Problem: Important documents (homework, college admission forms, etc.) get thrown haphazardly on the kitchen counter and end up in the recycling bin.

The Excuse: "I put it there so I remember."

The Solution: This hack comes to you straight from our new book, Stay Organized. The client above was having a similar issue, so we gave each family member their own "mailbox" right in the entryway. The result? Less mess, less stress, we digress.

6. Electronics

The Problem: Chargers get lost and devices get damaged.

The Excuse: They don't have one.

The Solution: Designate a rolling cart as the new home base for every device in the house — chargers, laptops, headphones, controllers, etc. Use small bin inserts to contain by category, and an acrylic file sorter to keep laptops and tablets upright. Place it by an outlet with a large USB port so you can store and charge up at the same time.

7. Snacks

The Problem: Chip bags are left open, food goes stale, and the pantry is littered with empty boxes. 

The Excuse: “Sorry, I forgot."

The Solution: Remove food from its original, often bulky and nonsensical, packaging and pour into clear canisters. Now, instead of your teen having to contend with a box that doesn't quite close correctly, they'll just open the airtight lid and close it. Canisters also provide more visibility so you always know when you are running low.

Still have younger kids at home? Here are our top ten playroom organization tips to help you tackle your toy troubles in the meantime.

Share:

Need help getting organized? Click below to book!

Services

Thoughts welcome!

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Similar Posts

Tips
10 Tips to Make Traveling With Kids Less Stressful

10 Tips to Make Traveling With Kids Less Stressful

Real question: Why isn't traveling with kids an Olympic sport yet? We really need to be giving out gold medals for getting through airport security or a cross-country road trip...

Read More
Tips
How to Organize Outdoor Toys and Sports Equipment

How to Organize Outdoor Toys and Sports Equipment

Who wants to navigate through a maze of bikes and soccer balls just to reach their front door? Not us! The truth is that just because playtime moves outside doesn't...

Read More
Tips
7 Things To Know Before Hiring A Professional Organizer

7 Things To Know Before Hiring A Professional Organizer

We are thrilled to announce that we can officially call Palo Alto and Greenwich home. Yes, it’s true! The Home Edit now has local organizing teams in both cities. This...

Read More