I recently met Pooja Gugnani, owner of Organizing With You.  As a city dweller and mother of two, I am limited on space, but not STUFF!   How is it that two little human beings can need so much stuff?  I loved Pooja’s philosphy of re-using what you have instead of spending a lot of money on new products.  I ask Pooja to do a guest post on the topic.  I hope you enjoy her tips.  Follow Pooja on Twitter of Facebook for more great organizing tips.

Chicago Mommies and Chicago Mommies-to-be,

It seems to me that every other article offering  tips on organizing your baby’s room/toddler’s room/ kid’s room, involves an investment in one more or more organizing products.  How about some tips on using what we already have?  Raising a child is expensive in itself, especially in a busy city like Chicago where time and space are often limited.  Here are some tips on how you can achieve the same goals of space maximization and decluttering by getting a little creative.

• Give your furniture multiple uses.  For example, you can use your dresser as a changer by using the drawers to store your diapers, wipes, lotions, burp cloths etc., and use the top as a changer by placing a changing table pad on it.  The same dresser can then be used when your baby is older to store clothes, blankets, socks etc.  If you want, paint the dresser you already own in a fun color and make it look baby pretty!
• Even babies and young kids have seasonal wardrobe.  You can re-use the same storage tub with two seasons- for example- label one side ‘winter clothes’ and the other ‘summer clothes.’  In the summer, store your winter clothes in it and have the winter label facing forward, and reverse in the winter.  This way you don’t have to make room for four different bins.  You can apply the same storing concept to other things as well.
• Laundry baskets are a great way to store toys.  Use your old laundry baskets to store different types of toys such as stuffed toys, cars, blocks etc.  Train your toddler to be organized at an early age and make it easy for him/her by attaching a picture of the type of toy on the front of each laundry basket.  Children are quick learners and with a little visual help they can do wonders!
• Your tiny tots’ belongings hardly take up space.  Use your over the door hanging shoe bag to store shoes, socks and other small items.  This is a great way to compartmentalize and fit a lot of items in one area.

Babies are tiny but their budget not so much! So plan efficiently and only buy what you need. Try to reuse as much as possible and if you know you want to have more kids, plan their nursery/room by keeping your long term plans in mind!