From Cluttered to Calm: Helping My Friend Reset Her Kids’ Rooms

Back-to-school season always has a way of sneaking up on us. This year, a friend asked me for help with one simple task: organize her kids’ closets. But when I stepped into their rooms, I couldn’t stop at just closets. One look around, and I knew these spaces deserved a full reset—something that would give her kids a fresh start, not just tidy shelves.

So, what started as a closet project turned into a complete kids’ room decluttering and organization journey. And the best part? The transformation made daily life feel calmer and more manageable.

Why Decluttering Matters More Than Organizing

It’s easy to shuffle things around and call it “organized,” but clutter always finds its way back. I’ve learned that true calm comes from owning less—not just stacking more. By helping my friend let go of what no longer served her family, we created space for what mattered most: the things her kids love, use, and need every day.

The Questions That Guided Us

When making decisions about what to keep and what to let go, we used these simple but powerful questions:

• What is the goal? Purely organize, or also declutter?

• What size do the kids wear now?

• What items are the most precious to them?

• How extreme of a change is your goal?

• Do you have time to do homework here?

• Have I used this in the past 12 months?

• Do I own multiple?

• What’s the purpose?

• Do I have something that already serves this purpose?

• Does this pass the 90/10 rule (used 90% of the time or not)?

• Am I keeping it out of guilt or obligation?

These prompts helped us move quickly, cut through decision fatigue, and make the process less emotional.

Before and After: A Room Ready for School

The difference wasn’t just visual—it was emotional. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by crowded shelves and piles of “stuff,” my friend’s kids walked into rooms that felt open, intentional, and ready for the new school year.

We didn’t aim for perfection. We aimed for better flow, less stress, and more space for the things that bring joy.

Ready to Start Your Own Declutter?

If you’re staring at your kids’ rooms right now wondering where to begin, start with the questions above. Let them guide you through the decisions, one small pile at a time.

And if you need some inspiration, you can watch the full transformation in my latest video:
👉 Watch on YouTube