After living in our townhome for almost 3 years, we discussed if we wanted something with more room, or to invest in our current home. We opted to invest. When it was time to work on the kids' rooms, we asked them to pick any one thing for their space. Our oldest son, 10 at the time, requested a desk. He said he would like a space to sit other than his bed, to draw, and to do homework. We looked together on Amazon. He wanted something minimal, but with an upper shelf. It was up to me to think through the coordination, such as size, and a way to hide cords.
We decided on the VIPEK Computer Desk 42 Inch Study Writing Desk PC Laptop Table for Home Office, School Student Desk with Hutch & Storage Shelves, Corner Table for Small Space Bedroom, Easy Assemble, Oak. This desk no longer is available, but if we had to pick now, we would do the Aquzee Computer Desk with Hutch & Bookshelf, Home Office Desk with Space Saving Design, Metal Legs Industrial Table with Upper Storage Shelves for Study Writing/Workstation, 47 Inches Rustic. This extremely long-named desk was everything we expected it to be. We also had to get a desk chair. We picked the OMHOMA Office Chair Ergonomic Desk Computer Chair with Flip Up Arms Lumbar Support Adjustable Swivel Mid Back for Home Office Black. Both were easy to assemble. The chair was supposed to have the option to lean back, but this feature was broken on ours. I think he would not have liked it leaning, so this ended up being ok for our purposes.
When we were waiting for his items to arrive, we sat down and looked at what he already had. We took pictures on my phone and used the gallery’s drawing feature to sketch out changes he wanted to make. Moving the bed can always make a room feel new for a child. We swapped his Pokémon sheets for Navy Blue. We were using plastic pullout drawers for toy storage that he wanted to use for a bedside table. We had previously been using file crates. Those got new life as storage bins.
Anytime I redo the kids' rooms I start one of two ways. Normally it all comes out and goes into one large pile to be sorted through as it goes back into the room. My son is minimal when it comes to what he collects. He is also naturally organized. For these reasons, we did my other method. Anything loose around the room or not in a proper home goes into empty laundry baskets. Once that is out of the room, we go through what is already in its home. Drawer by drawer, shelf by shelf, we decided what things are still important for his everyday life, what moves into a keepsake location, or what can be donated. This is quite a process, since kids are so indecisive. Also, they will love something they did not even remember they had for the past year. It is important to be firm at moving them along and encourage them to go with their first gut feeling. However, make sure you give them time to process each item. If a child comes to regret getting rid of something, that can be harder for them to work through emotionally than an adult. If this does happen, just provide an encouraging reminder that things are just things, but they will never lose the memory. Pictures of objects may be helpful for items you are not confident your child will not miss later.
We take this opportunity to go through clothing also. We have a basic rule that if you are not going to wear it, get rid of it. Even if you just got it and realized it is not for you. I do not get mad at them for this, I just want them to be honest so we can pass it on to someone who will use it. We then sort through the items that we took out in baskets, putting them back in their home or finding them one.
We vacuum and dust as we go, so once everything is in its place, we spray some Febreze and relax.
(before photos)
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