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Kids toys pile up fast! And our playroom area has been long overdue for a serious cleaning.
So the other day my good friend Julie came over and helped me sort through the mess. We hauled out a few garbage bags full of old, unused toys and junk.
I’m a real pack-rat so letting go of anything is a huge challenge. My minimalist friend Julie forced me to say good-bye to every item that did not deserve to take up critical space in my tiny townhouse. (We’re not done yet… but the playroom area is much improved.)
But my little girl Julia (almost 3) isn’t much of an inspiration. The next day she came into the room and said: “Hey, where are my toys? I want a mess!”
I forgot to get a before picture, but here’s a photo of Julie sorting toys.
And here’s the final scene… it’s not perfect, but it is more organized.
Multitasking Mama says
OK, I want to know where you got the basket tower over in the corner…. 🙂
Good job on the playroom! Our playroom is actually my son’s room and boy is it crowded! LOL! We still have the changing table in there, but now the baskets and shelves hold toys. We also use baskets / canvas boxes under the crib (guess it’ll be converted to the toddler bed soon – where does the time go??) to store toys. We also have an “underbed” type wrapping paper organize that works great for small toys and has easy access. Those Rubbermaid totes make great toy boxes (we have one a clear tinted blue color which fits great with his room and it wasn’t planned).
Barb says
I have just discovered this meme fromyou and love it… thanks for motivating me. My bedroom looks great now.
Shauntelle says
I’m sooo close to finishing the redesign of the youngest kids room, I can taste it!!! I tried so hard today, but I guess next Tuesday will be the big reveal… I’m extra proud of the $12 spent on recovering my dining room chairs though… and getting the goody bag off, only one week late. sigh. At least it’s getting done, right?!
Shauntelle
Michelle says
i bet it feels good to have a cleaner play room 🙂
donetta says
The toys have a multiplier…if only our cash flows did that:)
Jamie Lea says
Great job, love the color in that room!
Homemaking Mama says
The playroom looks fantastic, my girls would love a playroom like that 🙂 Great tackle.
Karrine says
Today was my one no work day over the Spring Break… Of course thats paid employment 😉 The children and I organized a NEW system at our main door to get homework, activity, coats shoes and our calender all in one place. No more missed school notices 🙂
Leah says
The playroom looks great! Ugggh, that reminds me I need to clean out toys too!
Sheila Gregoire says
I couldn’t handle much today–I’ve quit Diet Pepsi for the 42nd time and it’s rough today. So I tackled something small. And did it! Yay!
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
Patti says
Thanks for the inspiration…bathroom vanity cleaned top to bottom!!
Phyl says
I am sooo in…lol.
Tanya says
Wow, great job! I’m doing laundry, actually putting it all away, in drawers!
Nodin's Nest says
I tackled finishing my taxes! yeah all done. Now where’s my refund?
Rhen says
I used to be a pack rat but one great purge and I was hooked on cleaning things out. I am still working on each room but they all will get done!
Great tackle!
kellys says
If we could just tackle the hot spot and then it would stay that way!
Jen says
I needed some extra motivation today, so I joined in. I’ll update my post with pictures later today. It is motivating to see what others are getting done today as well. Off I go!
Sasha says
I have to tackle our game room one of these days.
Looks good!
Morning Rose says
Great tackle! The after picture looks wonderful! We made a housekeeping schedule this week. Now we just have to follow it!
Amy says
We tackled painting the entire house! Now, I have to tackle washing the windows. I hope to begin and end this evening! Thank goodness for daylight savings time and the added daylight!
feefifoto says
Just spent an hour tidying up our bookshelves. Everything’s sorted and arranged. I’m wondering how long it will last.
Miss Expatria says
My mom and dad have been in their house for 30 years, and my mom got sick of being a packrat. She throws out, donates or sells one thing a day – and has been doing it for over two years!
If you have something your packrat brain doesn’t want to let go of, but you know you’ll never use or it has outlasted its use, have a Moment of Silence. I’ve done this, actually, before moving to Rome. You put the object on a table or cradle it in your arms, tell a story about it, then have a moment of silence for it and say goodbye. It really works!
Lynne says
I am afraid of sorting in our toy room! It’s insane how much stuff is in there!
JessicaB says
I have so much cleaning and organizing to tackle but one thing at a time.
Devildogwife says
Getting rid of toys is always difficult for me. We’re slowly going through Munchkin’s toys and passing them on to someone else who can use them. **sigh** They grow up too fast. 😉
TCC says
I think work is easier to complete when someone is doing it with you. Have a successful day!
Deb - Mom of 3 Girls says
Cleaning and organizing is always more fun with a friend. Your room looks amazing! 🙂
Danielle says
You\’ve given me something to look forward to in 5 years after we have kids that start making messes. 🙂 Looks great!!!
Jana (sidetrack'd) says
Playrooms/toy areas are always a big tackle. It looks great!
Heather* says
I am tackling the boys rooms this week! Sorting through clothes, toys and books.
Stephanie says
What a great friend you have! The playroom looks excellent.
Karen Erickson says
Tackling the hall closet this week. The before picture is up on my blog – ugh the humiliation!
Your playroom looks fab. I junked a bunch of stuff after Christmas and it’s stayed under semi-control so far. 🙂