This post: 55 Ways to Get Your Teen Organized Now
Now that your child is a teenager, chances are (if they’re like a lot of other teenagers), they’ve suddenly become messy. (Yep… it’s one of the many mysteries of teenagerhood.) And, with everything else going on in their lives including having to juggle school, sports, extracurriculars, a job and their social lives, staying organized can be challenging, to say the least.
The good news is, there are plenty of ways for you to help your teen get and stay organized. Whether their bedroom needs an organization makeover, their closet needs a total overhaul or they need a few organizational hacks to make their bathroom or study area more functional, we’ve got you covered!
We rounded up a few (actually, 55 in all) clever ways to organize your teen’s life. Many are affordable, some a little pricey, but all of them are pretty darn cool. Don’t feel as though you have to mirror the images you find here – just pick and choose the aspects of each image that suit your teen and their needs! And, even if your budget is super tight, there are plenty of ideas here that can be realized by hitting the Dollar Store, Wal-Mart, thrift stores or other inexpensive stores. Check out our 55 ways to get your teen organized now.
55 Ways to Get Your Teen Organized Now
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DIY Rolling Under Bed Storage
When it comes to clever ways to get your teen organized, it’s all about functionality and ease with a cool factor that your teen will love! This DIY rolling under bed storage is a simple and cool idea that maxes out under bed space without breaking the bank. Visit Simply Beautiful by Angela on IG for the full tutorial!
A Wall of Shelves
By the time our kids reach their teen years, they’ve collected a lot of stuff! Give all that stuff in their bedroom a home by adding shelving units. Whether you add just one shelving unit or max it out with a wall of shelves, your teen will appreciate having a place to showcase all their trophies, knick-knacks, books, and pictures.
Image Source: Gold Snow Drops
Make Use of Door Space
This handy 7-compartment over-the-door organizer keeps keys, loose change, belts, scarves and glasses all within easy reach. Although it’s not the cheapest over-the-door organizer we found, we thought it was pretty cool! You can find it on Amazon HERE
Image Source: Amazon
Bins and Baskets Tidy Up the Space
I’m seriously a little obsessed with bins and baskets when it comes to organizing teens’ rooms. My kids (combined) have dozens of cool bins and baskets on shelves, under their bed, in their closets, etc. And, teens love having little pockets of space to store all their stuff.
Image Source: Pinterest
Cool Skateboard Shelves
If you have a teen who loves skateboarding, carry their passion into their bedroom with these clever skateboard shelves.
Image Source: My List of Lists
Under Bed Shoe Drawers
Can you believe this under bed shoe organizer is an IKEA kitchen cabinet door? Just add wheels and your teen can slide shoes (or anything else they don’t use every day) under the bed and pull them out as needed. Clever!
Image Source: House Beautiful
Lofted Bed with Futon & Multi-Functional Storage
This is actually a dorm room, but what’s cool about this space is the lofted bunk bed offers plenty of room below for a relaxing sitting area and the two upholstered footstools are multi-functional with storage inside.
Image Source: Pinterest
Vintage Lockers Keep Messes Out of Sight
Don’t be afraid to try unconventional methods to organize your teen’s room! This mom was lucky enough to find these vintage lockers and used them to create a cool vibe in her son’s room while adding valuable storage space.
Image Source: Fox Hollow Cottage
DIY Wall-Mounted Jewelry Organizer
You know all those necklaces, bracelets and earrings your daughter has on her dresser? Now she’ll have a place to store them all so they don’t get tangled or broken. This DIY Jewelry Organizer is cute and artistic, but if it’s a little too complicated for you, consider buying one that’s pre-made!
Image Source: Homebnc
Pegboard Baseball Cap Organizer
Considering most teen boys have boatloads of baseball hats, this easy DIY Pegboard Baseball Cap Organizer will keep them all in one convenient place. Now he can actually see his collection!
For the easy how-to, visit Jenna Burger
Space-Saving Shelving for the Extras
For all those little extras that you never know where to put, a space-saving shelving unit like this one can be just what you need to keep it all neat and organized.
Image Source: The Beetique
Over-The-Door Shoe Organizer for Storing Makeup, Socks or Other Small Items
You can free up a lot of space in your teen’s bedroom simply by adding an over-the-door shoe organizer. Now your teen can easily store makeup, socks, hair accessories or even jewelry.
An “Outfit Station” on a Closet Door
One of the coolest ideas around – especially for teen girls who love laying out their outfits with shoes and all the accessories. A simple over-the-door hook, a rod or dowel and plastic organizers attached to their closet door will make life so much easier!
ImageSource: BHG.Com
Use a Rolling Cart as a Nightstand
As opposed to a traditional nightstand, (which typically don’t offer a ton of storage space), use a 3-shelf rolling cart! It keeps everything within easy reach and maxes out space beside their bed. Seriously, rolling carts are super versatile!
Image Source: The Every Girl
Just Add Hooks
Perfect for hanging coats, backpacks, sports uniforms, purses or anything else, hooks are great for keeping stuff off the floor in your teen’s bedroom.
Image Source: Remodelista
Make Use of Corner Space
An unused corner in your teen’s bedroom makes a great desk area! Add a few bins and accessories to make it cool and homey.
Image Source: The Creativity Exchange
Vanity Station Using Full-Length Mirror and Floating Shelves
If your daughter has makeup and nail polish strewn all over her bedroom, here’s a clever way to organize it all! And, the best part is, this idea won’t break the bank.
Image Source: We Heart It
Trophy Station
If your teen has more than a few trophies scattered all over their bedroom, this is a clever way to display their trophies all in one place.
Image Source: Dintelo
Lofted Bed with Storage Below
When you’re short on space and getting organized is your priority, go vertical. This lofted bed with a desk and storage below is a great way to open up the room while creating a ton of extra space.
Image Source: PBTeen
Add Industrial Shelving
A little more expensive than some of the other ideas, but too cool of an idea not to include.
Image Source: Overstock.com
DIY Floating Corner Shelves
If you don’t have much space to work with, consider building up instead of out. These DIY Floating Corner Shelves are practical, stylish and they aren’t too expensive to make.
Get the tutorial at Shanty Chic HERE
Hexagon Bookshelves for Books and Trophies
Not only do these hexagon bookshelves add a cool and colorful vibe to this bedroom, they offer additional space for things like trophies, books and knick-knacks.
Image Source: Today’s Creative Life
Use Bookshelves to Frame Your Bed
Simply attach a long shelf over two bookcases to create the look of a headboard. You can also add an additional bookcase at the base of your bed if space allows creating even more storage space.
Image Source: Buzz Feed
Don’t Forget a Laundry Bag
Even though they’ll probably throw all their clean clothes that they tried on once and didn’t want to hang back up in the laundry basket along with all their dirty clothes, a sturdy stand-up laundry basket is a must tucked in the corner of their room. You find this one HERE
Image Source: Amazon
Max Out Drawer Space
When it comes to teenagers, nearly every drawer can be a junk drawer. But with these inexpensive plastic organizers, (you can pick up cheap organizers at the Dollar Store) they’ll have a place for brushes, Q-Tips, cotton balls, their razor, shaving cream or anything else!
Image Source: I Am Stylish
Clear Stackable Containers
Teenagers have a tendency to be messy… well, actually slobs. (At least some of them.) Keep their bathroom neat by investing in a few clear plastic containers. They make it easy to see everything, so instead of shoving everything under their bathroom sink, everything will have its own place. Check out these plastic containers on Amazon.
Image Source: Pinterest
Add Pull-Out Drawers Under the Sink
Double your under-the-sink storage space by adding pull-out drawers. They’re great for storing everything from shampoo and lotions to hair accessories and cologne.
Image Source: The Inspired Home
DIY IKEA Makeup Vanity
This IKEA-inspired makeup vanity is perfect for keeping all your makeup, hair accessories, lotions, perfumes, and anything else you need within easy reach. Plus, the cool part is you can roll it between your bedroom and bathroom, as needed.
For the tutorial, visit Polka Dot Chair.
Shower Caddy Basket with Hooks
Perfect for guys or girls, this easy-to-mount Shower Caddy Basket is great for keeping shampoo, conditioner, razors and loofahs off the tub area so it stays clean. You can check it out HERE!
Image Source: Amazon
Shower Curtain with Mesh Pockets
This organization hack is almost too darn easy! Just hang a shower curtain with mesh pockets so everything they need when they’re in the shower will be right at their fingertips. Plus, it does away with the messy tub area!
Image Source: Apartment Therapy
Organized Feminine Care
A few plastic bins make grabbing what she needs easy and convenient.
Image Source: MDesign Home Decor
Hanging Baskets
This is such an inexpensive way to store hair products, hair accessories, lotions, brushes or anything else your teen needs to have within easy reach. Use a suction cup or a Command Hook to adhere to the wall.
Image Source: Socialwiki
Wall-Mounted Hair Dryer Holder
Great for guys and girls, this inexpensive wall-mounted hair dryer holder will make getting ready in the morning a breeze. If you like this one, you can purchase it HERE!
Glass Canisters for Well… Anything
Everything from nail polish to scrunchies can easily be stored in glass canisters like this. Easy and inexpensive!
Image Source: Angela Lanter
Wire Mesh Baskets Declutter Sink Area
Declutter the bathroom sink area with inexpensive wire mesh baskets like these – perfect for holding makeup, shampoo, lotions, brush/combs, aftershave, cologne, and more.
Image Source: Useful Beautiful Home
Everyone Gets Their Own
If your kids share a bathroom, this is a great way idea to keep the tub area neat and give each of your kids their own space for shampoo, conditioner, razors, etc.
Image Source: Big Ideas Little Victories
Acrylic Organizer Keeps Makeup within Arms Reach
If your daughter is anything like mine, her makeup is EVERYWHERE! To help her stay organized, I purchased her an acrylic organizer to keep on her bathroom counter. Now, getting ready in the morning is a breeze!
Image Source: Like to Know It
Containment is Key
When it comes to keeping tweens and teens organized, it’s all about having enough containers and small organization tools to make their lives a little easier.
Image Source: Our Fifth House
Organized to a “T”
Not every teen is lucky enough to have a closet THIS big, but what we love about this picture is the array of ideas to pull from. Simple shelving paired with plenty of mesh drawers and pockets to store shoes, purses and clothes gives this space an A+ in our book!
Image Source: Inspirations and Celebrations
Dollar Store Bins for T-Shirts
Rather than folding t-shirts and stuffing them in drawers, purchase inexpensive bins at the Dollar Store, roll the t-shirts and pop the bins on their closet shelf.
Image Source: Lifes Amazing
Use “S” Hooks to Hang Jeans
Here’s a clever way to get your teen’s jeans off the floor and hung in the closet – inexpensive “S” hooks! It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Image Source: Simply Spaced
Vary Shelving Height
Organizing closets can be tricky, especially when you’re working in a tight space. One of the best ways to max out space and give everything in your teen’s closet a “home,” is to vary the height of additional smaller shelves to accommodate all their needs. To see this closet organized five different ways, visit Lela Burris.
Image: Lela Burris
Put a Dresser in the Closet
If you’re tight on space, consider putting a dresser in the closet. Although you give up floor space, you add valuable drawer space while still leaving room above it for hanging clothes or shelves.
Image Source: BHG.com
Fold It
Not everything in your teen’s closet should be hung. In fact, according to organization experts, folding is the way to go! Consider folding things like sweatshirts, jeans and t-shirts which will tidy up the closet and give them more hanging space.
Image Source: BHG.com
Clever Crate Use
Who knew you could do so much with a few inexpensive crates? This study area would be a great addition to any teen’s bedroom (a coat of paint would transform the look) and help them stay organized all year long!
Image Source: homensdacasa.net
Use a Ladder Desk to Free Up Space
This ladder desk not only frees up valuable space, it offers additional shelving for items such as books, school supplies and a few decorative accessories. Add a Command Hook next to the desk so your teen has a place to keep their backpack.
Image Source: Houzz
More Creative Crate Use
As opposed to mounting the crates on the wall, trying stacking them to use as the base of a desk. Don’t like the color? An inexpensive can of spray paint can transform the color to match any bedroom!
Image Source: Tidy Life Happy Wife
Cheerful Study Area
There’s plenty of cool ideas here! Simple shelving makes a great desk area and the bulletin boards offer space to pin her favorite pictures, notes and memorabilia.
Image Source: The Container Store
Use Cube Organizers
Simple cube organizers can transform even the most cluttered desk area into a cool and functional space that makes homework and studying a whole lot easier.
Image Source: The Country Cottage
Bookshelf Room Divider
If space allows in your teen’s bedroom, one way to create a study/homework area is to add a simple bookshelf room divider. Not only does it separate the room, it offers additional space for organizing books, bins and school supplies.
Image Source: Janina Mirjam
Pegboard Transforms This Desk Area
It’s crazy how inexpensive things you wouldn’t think to use completely transform a space! This inexpensive pegboard is the perfect remedy to keep your teen’s desk area neat and organized. And, you can spray paint it any color you like!
Image Source: Aimee Weaver Designs
Dry Erase Calendar Decal Track of Dates and Homework Assignments
Keeping track of homework assignment due dates, events, club meetings and gatherings with friends gets a lot easier when your teen has a calendar right above their desk.
Image Source: PBT
Plastic Drawer Organizers Keep it Tidy
Everything from paper clips and sticky notes to pens and a stapler will have its own place when you add a few plastic organizers in your teen’s desk drawer.
Image Source: I Heart Organizing
Wire Baskets Give Everything a Place
Simple wire baskets keep everything on these shelves perfectly neat and tidy. And, they’re not over the top expensive.
Image Source: Me and My Big Ideas
Cool Charging Station
There are actually more than a few DIY charging stations you can find on Pinterest, but this one caught our eye. This handy charging station lets your teen keep their Apple Watch, AirPods (if they have one) and cell phone right next to them on their nightstand (or in the kitchen if you’re not a fan of gadgets in the bedroom). You can find this one HERE
