Check out my Product Recommendation Page for Toy Storage Ideas and more (Amazon Associate Links Included)
Best Storage Ideas for Keeping Toys Organized
As parents, we’ve all been there. It starts with a few toys here and there. Maybe there are a couple of blocks, a few stuffed animals, and some small figurines. Fast forward a few years, and suddenly, your living room looks like a toy store explosion, with playthings scattered in every direction. But before resigning to a lifetime of stepping on LEGOs, take a deep breath. There’s hope. Organizing toys doesn’t have to be a never-ending battle. With the right storage ideas, you can keep everything tidy and create an easy-to-maintain system that your kids can help with. To help you out, in this article, we’ll explore some practical and creative storage ideas for keeping toys organized, no matter the size of your home or how many little ones you have.
Utilize Clear Storage Bins
Let’s start with a simple but often overlooked solution: clear storage bins. These are a lifesaver for organizing toys because they’re functional and help with visibility. Kids can see what’s inside without dumping everything to find that elusive toy. Plus, they’re stackable, so they save space.
Make sure to label the bins! Labeling is essential to the maintenance of any storage system. When you label, you ensure that everyone knows where things belong and can always figure it out on their own. For toys and anything that you want kids to be responsible for, label using pictures and words. (For example, place the image of a car above the word car on the bin for toy vehicles.) When you include both in the label you allow all ages of kids to be part of the organization and clean up process and you help promote reading, even in the youngest of children.
Simply the Best
Cube organizers and shelves are simple, but tend to be the best bet when it comes to storing all categories of kids toys. They come in all different sizes, styles, and quality levels – fitting all decor and space needs. They are adaptable as the kids grow and needs change and they fit all varieties of toys, games, books, displays and more. In all my years as a Professional Organizer I have never found a universally better storage option!
Create Zones for Different Types of Play
Kids love variety when it comes to play, so creating different “zones” for various activities is helpful. You could have a reading corner with a comfy beanbag chair and a small bookshelf, a LEGO station with a dedicated table for the building, and an arts and crafts corner with a cart for supplies. By assigning areas for different types of play, toys stay more contained, it promotes a variety of activities, and it’s easier to direct your child to put things back where they belong. It’s a subtle way of introducing order into their playtime without making it feel like a chore.
Rotate Toys to Prevent Overload
Have you ever noticed that your kids tend to play with the same handful of toys despite having dozens? That is where toy rotation can be a game-changer. Keep a few toys out in the open while storing the rest away, then swap them out every few weeks. Not only does this cut down on clutter, but it also makes old toys feel new again when they reappear. Plus, having fewer toys available at any given time helps kids focus better and engage more deeply in play.
If you’ve moved recently, you probably have some leftover packing materials. Instead of letting them go to waste, consider reusing leftover supplies to help organize your kids’ toys that will be rotated in. Sturdy cardboard boxes can be repurposed as storage containers, as they can easily contain and protect larger toys, while also allowing for quick labeling with a sharpie. It’s a simple, eco-friendly way to keep the toys tidy and protected, while giving those packing materials a second life.
If your child gets bored of their old toys, keep rotating them so there’s always a toy they haven’t played in a while to grab their attention.
Use Furniture with Built-In Storage
Who says toy storage has to be unattractive? These days, there are so many stylish pieces of furniture that also double as storage. Think ottomans with hidden compartments, storage benches that look chic in your living room, or coffee tables with drawers. Multi-functional furniture is a win-win because it fits seamlessly into your home while serving a practical purpose. You get the aesthetic you want without the clutter, and the kids have easy access to their toys.
Keeping Toys Organized: Pegboards for Hanging Storage
Pegboards aren’t just for tools in your garage. If you have a dedicated playroom, they can be a fun and creative way to store toys, too. You can hang baskets on hooks to organize smaller toys, such as action figures, dolls, or craft supplies. Mount the pegboard on a wall in your child’s room or play area, and customize it to suit their needs. The best part? It grows with your child. As their interests change, you can rearrange the setup or swap out storage items for new ones. Make sure to clearly label all baskets or bins and even each hook – to make pick up and maintenance of the area easy for everyone involved.
Use Over-the-Door Organizers
Over-the-door organizers are fantastic for small spaces. They can be hung in the bedroom, a closet, or the back of a bathroom door to store smaller toys, art supplies, or books. The beauty of these organizers is that they’re vertical, so they don’t take up valuable floor space. Each pocket can be designated for a specific category, so when clearly labeled, it is easy for kids (and adults) to find what they want.
Incorporate Toy Storage into Decor
If you’re worried about toy storage cramping your style, don’t be—there are plenty of ways to make toy storage part of your home decor. For example, cute woven baskets or fabric bins can be strategically placed around the house to hold toys, and they’ll blend in with your existing decor. Similarly, wooden crates or vintage trunks can be both functional and stylish. The key is finding storage solutions that fit the vibe of your home while keeping toys neatly out of sight. Don’t forget that labels can be stylish too. Pick wood labels with pretty print for the wood crates and trunks or even hanging labels for the baskets. You don’t have to sacrifice style to maintain organization.
Getting kids into organizing is the best way to keep your house organized!
Get the Kids Involved
Ultimately, the best tip for keeping toys organized is to ensure your kids are part of the process. When they feel ownership over their space, they’re more likely to help keep it tidy. (You may want to do at least one decluttering, when the kids are NOT present though. As kids will tend to want to keep everything when present and not notice things are gone, when not involved in the decluttering itself. You know your child, but keep this in mind 🙂
In order to maintain the organization, communicate expectations clearly. When it is time to clean up – let them know specifically what to do and when it has to be completed by (i.e. by the time the timer goes off or in 15 minutes). In addition, let them know what will happen if it isn’t done and what reward they will get if it is done in time. Clear communication of expectations makes a huge difference in maintaining organization for all involved.
Stay Away From
Toy boxes are graveyards for toys!! No matter how attractive the toy box is or how well it blends with the decor, do not use them! It is too easy for small toys to get thrown in and buried. In addition, kids tend to empty the whole toy box in an effort to find what they want and the clean up is too overwhelming. Storing toys by category in smaller containers, makes things easier to find, promotes use of one toy at a time, allows for clear labeling, and makes clean up easier for all involved.
Toy organizers with many open bins of different sizes do not work! It is too easy to dump them all out and to just throw things in any bin when cleaning up. Again using separate bins for each toy or category in cube organizers or on shelves is best. It allows you to have lids – keeping extra toys from being thrown in and giving a visual deterrent to dumping. It also allows for clear labeling – which is essential for maintenance of the toy area.
Final Thoughts
Keeping toys organized doesn’t have to be a constant uphill battle. With creativity, the right storage solutions, and clear labeling; you can reclaim your home while encouraging your kids to play and have fun. Plus, when everything has its place, cleanup becomes a breeze!
