I think storage baskets would be your best bet - with labels on the front so that everyone knows what is in each basket.

Alternatively, you could perhaps create a "curtain" of sorts across all of the shelving, but I'm not sure how that would look and it may be impractical as the curtain may remain "open" all the time for ease of access.

Have you considered asking the landlord to remove some of the shelving units? They don't look like they're attached to the wall. Or maybe you could store some in the garage if you had room?

Don't worry as they will soon fill up and become indispensable. If the shelves are adjustable, make them an equal distance apart which will be visually neater. Have rows of the same thing: books, magazines or storage cubes. Remove some central shelves and use a large photo or picture as a feature section. Keep the upper rows simple to display a few "objets" and to keep cleaning easy at height. Finally, if the units can be moved place them on the side of the room not facing the door so that they are not the first thing that you see when you enter the room.

Get doors made for many of the sections, with opaque glass.

It will actually look messier if you fill it all up to the brim. Vertical books in some, horizontal stacked books in others, 1 ornament in another, 2 (different sizes in another), one with a picture, some small storage baskets down below to give weight to the bottom. Play around with it but don't overload them.

I agree with bobhenderson - if shelves adjustable, make them equal distance, and purchase wicker baskets or plastic storage boxes with lids. As has been suggested, leave some for photos or for the children to display their favourite toys/trophies, etc.

The problem is not the shelving. It's the content and the user.

Try dusting, tidying and putting away and making sure that whatever lives on those shelves adds value. Less = more!

I agree with levelling out the shelves if possible. Maybe run the same colour/texture baskets along the bottom: it's reachable for often-used items like nappies and anchors the shelving display. Or run the baskets vertically down one of the side columns. Still reachable with the added bonus of storing some items beyond the reach of young children. You might what to keep the shelving and baskets the same colour since a household with four children will probably have a lot of multicoloured things on display.

Some good comments above.

My simple suggestion goes like this.

Starting at each end, I see they are adjustable, double up the shelves making them stronger, and then you will only have two shelves in each bay. Even them out so yu end up with three equal cubbies. They will look quite cubed, and house foldable fabric baskets which are cheaply available in many colours, try Kmart for packs of 5 for less than 10.00.

I would use these end cubes for your practical needs, like onesies, singlets, nappies and creams etc.

The central shelves I would display the children's favourite things, on lower shelves, books to access, and some things you want seen as keepsakes, not to play with a they won't reach them easily.

The shelves could be configured differently in each space depending on use, but I'd utilize the lower two cubes in one room as desk space, with books above. A cute colourful lamp, and again foldable baskets each side, so that perhaps each child may choose their own side, and have somewhere that's just theirs. In a house ful, it's even more important to have somewhere just for your stuff. These will be great when you make them a little less busy, and providing those inserts will keep them looking tidy, even when they're not.

maybe you Could have different colours for each child, to help with the order of things.

Good luck with another bub.

books should all be on one shelf and fill is up, everything else will need storage containers to hold it all. Anything looks more organised in a box or container. If you have a lot of containers then try and keep a uniform look. Go somewhere that supplies office storage or look on ebay for a cheap bulk lot.

I keep all my kids toys in a buffet in clear plastic food containers I got from the reject shop for around $2 each. I've used flat slice boxes for puzzles and flat things, and larger rectangular tubs for loose toy sets and some round buckets with clear lids for things like trains and cars... the clear containers are hardier and cheaper than most other storage boxes ( why are simple boxes so pricey?!) And being clear its so much easier for the kids to find what they are looking for.

They also sell matching sets of hat box and shoe box style boxes at the $2 shops... they might be useful too.

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Amanda - Your dilemna has generated a really interesting discussion. Can you please add a photo of your results? bob

It looks great Amanda,

An uncluttered group of objects and a simple colour scheme works well, and displays rather than detracts from your rented rooms.they may even come to be something you like.

Thanks for sharing.

I think you did very well .

Great work Amanda! Oh I forgot to mention the "I" word - Ikea does of course have a huge choice of cardboard boxes at an affordable price if the $2 shop fails to deliver. I have a secret fetish for shoe boxes which I use for storage. Can't bear to throw 'em away. Some are very nicely designed......and free! bob

HI Wuff, and Amanda, I am a complete idiot, I managed to skim the article and not realise the kids situation! Doh!