Are you overwhelmed with the piles of your children’s art and schoolwork? This was a common problem in our homes too, so we devised a solution! We call it the “Holding Tank System.” The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to set up your own art storage system. It’s simple, effective, and easy for both you and your kids to implement.
Step 1: Create the “Tank”
The first step is getting plastic stackable drawers to hold their artwork and other memories for the year. You can find colorful and clear stackable drawer options to match a playroom or central hub area.
Step 2: Label and Locate
Once you have the bins, you’ll want to label each one with your children’s names. Large adhesive labels are perfect, you can write their names in a Sharpie, and they work great!
Store the bins in a spot that works best for your family. Depending on your space, you may want to place them in a home office, a hall closet, or even the garage. Put them where you have quick access so the system is easy to maintain.
Step 3: Celebrate and Rotate
Once your kids bring home their art, papers, and crafts, hang them up so everyone can admire their hard work and creativity. Celebrate with your kids and enjoy this stage of life.
Implementing the “Holding Tank” comes next: as your kids bring in new pieces, take the old ones down from the display and put them into the appropriate bin. This keeps your walls fresh and prevents the counters from becoming a landing zone for paper.
Step 4: The End-of-Year Edit
After each school year ends, go through the individual drawers and toss or recycle anything that is no longer wanted.
For the “keepers,” we recommend sending them to our partner, Artkive. They take your physical piles and turn them into beautiful, high-quality keepsake photo albums. Your whole family can continue to enjoy the art without the clutter for years to come!
Let Us Preserve Your Memories
Getting a handle on the “paper trail” of childhood is one of the most rewarding organizational projects you can tackle. Not only does it clear your physical space, but it turns “clutter” into a cherished gift for your children later in life.
If you are currently drowning in years of school projects and don’t know where to start, our team at Getting it Done Organizing can help! From setting up your initial “Holding Tank” to managing the entire Artkive preservation process for you, we handle the logistics so you can simply enjoy the memories.
Ready to clear the counters and preserve the art? Click here to get in touch today. Let’s get those memories organized!
