Managing practice space with multiple instruments
If you have multiple people in your house who play instruments, where do they practice and store their instruments? DD1 plays cello, DD2 plays flute and a keyboard, and DS wants to play viola next year. All three current instruments have always been practiced in our living room, and now the kids are storing them there too, plus a music stand and chair for the keyboard, and it's getting too crowded.
Has anyone had success getting kids to move where they practice to their bedroom? My children have messy rooms and do nothing in their rooms except sleep usually, so it's not a spot they gravitate too. How can I change their habits? Our family room is used constantly and the location of our only TV, so that's a bad spot. We have a little used guest room, but the kids don't like it because it's windowless and heavily dominated by the bed. It is a nice, warm room though. That would be my choice, but I do understand the sense of being relegated to a small and distant room.
In addition, my girls don't like to put their instruments away. I kind of get why zipping up and moving the big cello is a pain, but think it's very lazy for DD2 to not put a simple flute away, but if it helps her practice more, I might be able to stomach it being out. Flute stands apparently go on the floor and the flute juts upright from a rod that goes inside one end of the flute. Is this a good idea? Seems like it might get kicked as it is low to the ground. DD1 is likely to get a cello stand for Christmas, but I admit bias, as the cello in a stand is beautiful and I might be willing to keep it in the living room for that reason. But a flute at foot-to-knee height seems weird.
Ideas?
Advice and commentary on living overseas
DD1 15, DD2 12, and DS 9