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When I was forced to change my neutral clutter-free home to one filled with toddler and baby toys, keeping the balance of cozy and functional seemed impossible. Hygge is a feeling, it’s not about how clean or ‘Millennial Beige’ you keep your home, but I can not get to a hygge state of mind if the home is in absolute chaos. I knew I could technically solve this by buying all neutral toys (I tried), but I quickly realized that meant a childhood without color and Disney characters.

Here’s my top 5 Tips to help reign in the chaos and the endless amount of STUFF that comes with two children

1. One-in-one-out rule: whenever they get a new toy, one immediately goes out. It doesn’t have to be the same type of toy or even the same size. When a new one comes in I either donate one or throw one away. The #1 tip within this tip is to keep a “donate” box on the ready at all times (don’t get a fancy box, a cardboard box works best). This strategy came from the book Organizing For The Rest of Us. It’s changed how I organize and *thankfully* this book doesn’t tell you to waste money on a bunch of bins you won’t use.
   
   
2. Ascetic-ish toys that don’t steal their childlike wonder but aren’t plastic eye sores. I love a montessori style approach when I’m choosing their toys. It’s Inevitable that characters will enter the home (Lighting McWeen was my three year old’s favorite from 1-2.5 years old and he’s by far the most un-ascetic). Think natural materials, well made, and will actually be played with. These is one is mine and the baby’s favorite.
   
   
3. Bins: I’m fairly anti-bin, but the ones I have found actually useful are these clear and stackable ones. They’re a great size to fit each “category” (Magnets, puzzles, arts and crafts, etc.) My 3yr old knows she is only supposed to have two of these out at a time and can swap out as needed. Is it always followed? Absolutely not, but it helps. A simple child proof lock on the closet is key for this strategy.

4. The Container Rule: Again from Organizing for the Rest of Us, the idea is simple: the container is the boss. Not my toddlers’ hopes and dreams of owning every stuffed animal, and definitely not buying a bigger bin to accommodate. I pick the drawer, basket, and only keep what fits comfortably inside it. When it’s full, that’s my cue that anything extra has to go.

5. Libraries. I’ve recently embraced my local library to reduce book clutter and I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner. It’s become our weekly ritual to go swap our selections and my new favorite activity to do with my toddler. Libraries = peak Hygge.

That’s it. Those are the only things I’ve found that help combat the overwhelming amount of stuff that comes with these children. Before having kids I only felt relaxed when the home was deep cleaned top to bottom. This has drastically improved because demanding perfection = not very Hygge.