Clutter Busting Tip: How to Store Children’s Art

But first a back story. While flipping through magazines the other day at my local bookstore, I picked up The Nest.  I would probably read this magazine on a regular basis if I was a 20-something as it covers not just decorating, but relationships, weddings, first baby etc.

Anyhow, seeing as I love Glee and one of the actors was on the cover, I picked it up and as I was flipping through I noticed my name and Decor Happy. So exciting!  

At the After Party (after a taping of the Nate show) in NYC, sponsored by the Nest, they were looking for organizational tips to be included in an upcoming issue. I had forgotten I had submitted something.

Another Canadian blogger, Kerry, was also quoted as well as some other bloggers.  You can read the full article here.

The only problem with the quote is that it is not at all what I had submitted.  I’m not really sure what wall clutter is or why you would look at art online! I’m sure it was just an oversight on their part.

What I had said was:  “I photograph my daughter’s art work from school and art camps to keep in an album rather than keeping all of the originals. That way they are not forgotten and they don’t take up storage space."

This was a tip given to me by one of my oldest friends who has three kids.  I thought it was a great idea because kids come home with such precious art from school or camps and you can’t possibly keep it all. I know some Moms that keep everything and some that keep only a few special pieces each year.  I’m somewhere in the middle and do feel a little guilty when M sees some of her work in the recycling bin (busted!)

These are some photos taken last year of my daughter’s art that was too bulky to keep (although when it came down to it, I did still end up keeping some of these pieces!)  We still keep all of our photos in albums rather than just online.  M loves to flip through an album and remember people and events in her life.  You can take this one step further and create a photo book (digital scrapbook) of all the art work.

Of course, the best idea is to frame some of your kid’s art and hang it. It doesn’t have to be professionally framed – Ikea or Michael’s will do; and it doesn’t have to be framed at all, just tacked to the wall.  Kid’s really love seeing their art on display.

This is M’s playroom art wall which looks slightly different from when I posted about it here. That is the beauty of art walls – you can add to them or change what’s already there.  I have added the Charlene Serdan prints which I blogged about here.  I also added framed fabric and wallpaper samples and a painting and drawing she recently did.  (She really is into peace signs these days and leaving me notes with “peace out” on them – okay, I can take a hint!)

Other ways to store children’s art (make sure you note the date):

• place them in scrapbooks
• place them in bins or portfolios by grade/year
• have them laminated
• mail some to grandparents, aunts, etc.
• use them for wrapping paper

Do you have any organizational tips for storing children’s art or paper in general?  Would love to hear.

(I’ll be back tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. with the winner of the Homesav giveaway. There’s still time to enter and you have a year to use the gift card on some wonderful upcoming items!)