Toddler Room Makeover

   Our little guy's room was in need of an organization overhaul. We have also been working on incorporating Montessori practices in our home and so I did some research on Montessori toddler spaces and bedrooms. I won't get on a soap box about why I think this method and practice is fantastic, just know that I think it is. It facilitates independence, responsibility, problem solving, organized creativity and many other characteristics that develop a whole-brained child.
   Of course everything we do is on a budget in our savings savvy house so I didn't want to spend a great deal of money on this makeover. I priced out some cubby bookshelves at IKEA and considered a new toddler bed. The rest was going to be thrift or repurposed.

   Here's a look at the toy/play situation before. A toy box is romantic and sentimental, especially since my dad made this one for G, but it wasn't functional for his needs. The toys just stayed in a pile and he couldn't see everything he has and if he did want to play with something on the bottom, everything got dragged out into a mess.
   Perhaps we can keep linens/pillows in it until he's old enough to use it as a keepsake chest.

   So the first thing I did was take inventory of things he still plays with. Then I made a list of containers and space I would need to organize everything. I found some inexpensive bins at Target for things that that would go in the closet, and repurposed some wire wrack shelving I previously used for baking and crafts. Then we hit up IKEA for the shelves and a few colorful bins for ready-to-play activities.

   One of the keys to keeping a child's room organized is to limit what's available and not overwhelm them with lots of pieces and options. Games and activities that require supervision or assistance with setting up/putting away are kept in the closet. I save these for extended playtime on the weekends, rainy days or when I need to keep G entertained for a while in one space while I clean or work on something of my own. Notice the bottom shelves he can reach are the safe and "clean" toys like train tracks, blocks, Legos and balls. The messy, supervision required activities like Playdoh, stamps and ink, paint and chalk are kept on higher shelves.

   Other things accessible to him in the closet are his shoes and hats - again, to foster independence and empower choice. He can choose what shoes he wears to school (even if they don't match his outfit ::cringe:: ) and he usually wears a hat to play outside or a fedora to church. My kid is stylish! 

   Our family has learned so many great things from G's school but one thing that will probably prove to be invaluable is the practice of playing with one thing at a time, in a designated space or on a mat/tray, and putting that item away before getting another one out. G started doing this on his own at home long before Ian and I would have expected him or tried to teach him to. So, in the play area, we have several different work spaces including a flat tray with sections, a table tray, a rug mat and the empty space between shelves at his waist level.

      The rest of his toys and books are kept in the cubbies and ready for him to work with as he chooses. Some are organized in bins to keep the pieces together and sorted by animals, things that go, toy car collection, music, drawing/coloring, sorting and building, fine motor skills, wooden puzzles and reading. He has a few imaginary play sets like fire/police station, which has its own bin for the small pieces that go with it; and 2 large train sets (in the closet). 

   The crib-to-toddler bed became an obstacle for us because he was climbing and jumping on the rails too much. We will also need the crib for the new baby in our room so we invested in a 2nd bed but I felt it was a great bargain. It was only $60 at IKEA and came in unstained, unfinished wood so we bought a can of stain for $8 to match his dresser and it was perfect. It's also lower to the ground and allows him to read, sleep and even play in it with much less worry for us. 

      His nightstand has bedtime books, a CD player with play and sleep music kept in the cabinet (he can pretty much change the discs unassisted now), his diffuser lamp and a flashlight. We mostly use the diffuser lamp as a nightlight but if I need to put water and oil in it, I move it to a higher place so he can't knock it over. I found the CD player at Best Buy for 70% off in the "scratch and dent" section when G was just a baby and we needed a sound machine to play classical music. It's been used every night for 2 years and it's still goin strong!
    A growth chart on the wall is a great way for kids to see how they have grown. This adorable owl and fox ruler was only $6 on Amazon. We also keep his hamper in there instead of the laundry room because he has learned his dirty clothes go in there and he's responsible for putting them there. 

  Because the room will still need to serve as a nursery for the new baby, the diaper changing/dressing area is still functional. We decided not to spend the money or space on a second room when baby will sleep in our room for many months anyway and the room is plenty large enough for both of their needs. We have also included a calendar to keep track of school events, family trips and special days so G can see what he has to look forward to in the week.
   The pegboard was an idea I found online when we did the original nursery and allows you to move hooks and change items displayed for interest and functionality. The lower basket has hair combing tools and hygiene items G likes to use and are safe for him to handle. 

And there you have it. A cost effective Montessori-style toddler room makeover for around $225. Because that money was spent on long-term use furniture and not trendy or themed decorating items, I think it's money well spent. The cubbies can be reused for almost anything down the road, and the bed will work for him for many years as well as our next son. Still on my to-do list is moving the framed pictures to his eye-level - this may include a puzzle we do as a family and turn into wall art - and finishing the play kitchen. Stay tuned.