As parents, we hold onto so much of our children’s stuff. And why wouldn’t we? The problem is we are constantly battling between sentimental value and the need for space.
But when your kids grow up, their furniture can leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to keep, donate, or repurpose.
This guide will help you work through these decisions with tips for holding on to memories, decluttering, and even getting creative with upcycling.
What Should You Keep?
Before you think about what to do with the items – it’s worth asking yourself what’s worth keeping.
Some items from your child’s early years are worth holding onto, whether for sentimental reasons or to pass down through the family.
Here are some ideas:
Art and Crafts
Save a few special art pieces, creative stories, and letters or notes. You don’t need to keep everything – just the ones that capture important moments.
Put these in a keepsake box so that they don’t get lost and are easy to pass on.
Growth milestones
Hold onto first outfits, baby blankets, and handprint or footprint keepsakes.
Growth charts and schoolwork with a personal touch are also worth preserving. If you are doing a box, place these with the arts and crafts so they all stay in one place.
Beloved toys
Choose a couple of iconic toys like Lego sets, wooden blocks, or a cherished stuffed animal.
These can become heirlooms for future generations and come in handy when you have grandchildren!
Educational Mementos
School certificates, yearbooks, and even a letter jacket or class ring can be meaningful keepsakes.
Have a look through and see which ones tell a story. If there was a teacher your child loved, or an award they won, keep that for them to hold onto.
What Can You Let Go Of?
It’s tempting to hoard everything, but some items will just add clutter. Try and be brutal – getting rid of things isn’t negative – maybe they will enjoy a new home?
Donate or Sell
Clothes, toys, and sports equipment in good condition can really help other families.
Charities for children, sports programmes, or local families in need are great places to start. Collect everything you can and drop it off to help those in need.
Recycle or Toss
Worn-out baby clothes can be turned into reusable cleaning rags. You can even get them made into new toys for other children.
Old school projects, trophies, or ribbons (unless they hold meaning) can be recycled, so they don’t produce waste.
Upcycling: Creative Ways To Repurpose Furniture
If you’re not ready to let go of everything, why not give your kids’ old furniture a second life?
Here are some ideas:
Old cribs: Turn them into cosy reading nooks or outdoor benches. With a bit of carpentry and paint, they’ll be both functional and sentimental.
Dressers: Repaint and refurbish to use as new storage units or sideboards.
Shelves: Re-use wooden crates or baby furniture into stylish shelving.
Decorate with Toys
Use small toys like cars, figurines, or blocks as quirky wall decor.
Arrange skateboards or bikes on shelves to create unique art pieces.
This can help you keep your home decorated and sentimental, without having tons of toys everywhere.
Create Keepsakes
Turn baby clothes into a beautiful quilt that your grown child can cherish. This can be a great memento and easy to do!
Repurpose baby bottles as garden planters or herb jars, they’re the right shape – so why now!
Encourage Grown Children to Claim Their Belongings
When your children have grown up but their items are still filling your home, it’s time for some tough love.
Let your child know you need the space for a new project, like a guestroom or home office.
Give them a clear deadline to collect their things.
Offer to sort their items into “keep,” “donate,” and “toss” piles.
If they’re not able to visit, send photos of the items and ask them to make decisions remotely.
If they resist, pack their belongings into labelled boxes and bring them to their home or, store them in a long-term a storage facility until they can take over.
For smaller items, use the “drip method” – deliver a box or two every time you visit to slowly get rid of the items.
Long-Term Storage Tips
For the items you do keep, smart storage will make sure they’re preserved without taking over your home.
Invest in sturdy bins: Use plastic containers with labels to store toys, clothes, and keepsakes.
Digitise artwork: Apps like Artkive let you turn art into digital books, reducing physical clutter.
Display heirlooms: Consider framing sentimental pieces or creating a small display area for cherished items.
Embracing the Next Chapter
Letting go of your child’s old things doesn’t mean letting go of the memories.
By keeping a few meaningful things, upcycling others, and responsibly donating or discarding the rest, you can create space – both physically and emotionally – for the next chapter of your life.
So, take a deep breath, grab some boxes, and start sorting. You’ll feel lighter in no time!
