The secret to maintaining organization is simplicity. This point is never truer as it is when planning for a new addition to the family.
Getting started
Sorting clothing by size and season is your best bet. Start by washing and sorting all the clothing by size. It’s great to have a few preemie and newborn items, but some babies bypass these sizes completely. If you do need them, the time length will typically only be a short one. The rest of your clothing groups will be 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months.
Short-term storage
Each clothing size category should now be placed in its own labeled bin. Even if you don’t yet have any clothing in some of the sizes, you will.
Choose your bins wisely—consider size, material and aesthetic. All items of each size should easily be able to fit inside the bin, and the bin should easily fit into the designated storage space. Make sure you account for future purchases, gifts and hand-me-downs. I often create two bins for each size—one for fall and winter clothing, and one for spring and summer. Clear plastic bins with lids allow you to see what’s inside; they are stackable, easy to label, light and sturdy.
Current size clothing
What do you do with clothes you’ll be using?
Drawer Storage
Now that you have the clothing that is too big sorted away, you can focus on the fun part—all of the adorable little outfits for now. Drawers are perfect for onesies, rompers, footie PJs, nightgowns, sleep sacks and socks.
The best way to keep all these tiny items neat and tidy is to use drawer dividers. Sort each category into a divided section and don’t forget to label.
You’re much more likely to put items away with zero thought. Tension-mounted dividers are wonderful because you can move and adjust them as the drawer contents change.
Hanging Storage
I like to hang everything else—dresses, skirts, button-down shirts, things with hoods, thick rompers, robes and dressier items. Often babies can be in multiple sizes at once, and sizes greatly differ by brand. By incorporating these dividers into your storage, you can have a few of the smaller looking items from the next size up and a few larger items from the next size down visible and organized.
Preserving special outfits
If you have special items you would like to preserve as keepsakes, such as a baptismal or christening gown, make sure they are carefully washed and treated for stains. These items are most safely stored in acid-free archival-safe tissue paper and boxes. Be sure to clearly label the contents of each box using labels or photos.
Product List
Blank Closet Rod Divider (#628020), $1.99 each
Elfa Custom Closet Solution, $917.20
Kids’ Wooden Hanger (White) Package of 6 (#10079402), $7.99 per package
Large Archival Garment Storage Box
with Acid-Free Tissue Paper (#10003368), $39.99
Our Sweater Box (#10008761), $9.99 each
Set of 2 Gray Cotton Rope Oval Bins with Handles (#10077943)
Small Acrylic Organizer (#10077295), $18.99
The Home Edit by Design Clear Bin Clips,
Set of 3 (#10080421), $8.99 each
White Bin Clip Labels, set of 3 (#10083050), $9.99 per package
All items available from The Container Store.
888-CONTAIN; containerstore.com
Drawer Dividers Organizer 5 pack, $30.99
Kootek 16 Pack Drawer Organizers
for Clothing, $37.95
Available from amazon.com
