4 Steps to Keep Kids' Artwork from Cluttering up Your Home

A few years ago, while still new to minimalism, I viewed an Instagram reel titled, “What Minimalists do with Kids' Artwork.”

With two daughters who loved to create, and whose creations caused prolific clutter piles around our home, I was eager to see this minimalist blogger's solution.

The video showed her scooping up piles of scattered artwork, consolidating them into a large pile, and, flashing a bright-red lipstick-framed smile, promptly depositing them all… into the trash.

I was aghast.

That's it? She throws them—all of them—immediately in the trash?

While I couldn't deny its efficacy, this artwork-clearing method didn't sit well.

I could identify with the overwhelmed mom who may consider her paper-filled surroundings fire fuel (forget trashing them, just let them burn). But I also could identify with the creative child who poured her heart into her masterpiece and was immeasurably proud of the result. Only to have it tossed?

Some sort of middle ground had to exist.

Maybe, the answer was removing the “problem” in the first place. I could nix art in the home; avoid the artwork onslaught all together. No crayons, no paper, no abundant artwork piles, and no covertly colored walls.

But a childhood bereft of art couldn't be the answer. It's too beneficial for child development, and, as a mom who loves to research things, I knew too much to completely pitch the craft supplies.

So my challenge was to find a happy medium. One that encouraged creativity, acknowledged the artist, and culled the clutter. I needed a system that would streamline kids' artwork when it entered our home or was created there.

Here is the 4 step system I use to keep kids' art from cluttering up our home:

Read the full article here!

Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, three-year-old son, and baby girl. You can also find her on Instagram.

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