It’s tough to keep your living space looking neat when you have kids, especially when they’re constantly bringing out new toys to play with. Not only is it difficult to keep up with the mess, but it can be hard to find a place for all of those toys. They tend to end up taking over the living room, bedroom, and even kitchen.
Toy storage ideas for small spaces can help you get your kid’s toys organized and out of sight in no time. With just a few simple tips and tricks, you can create an efficient storage system that will declutter your home in no time.
Here are the best toy storage ideas for small spaces you can use to organize your kids’ toys into a functional, neat system.
1. Bring in Furniture that Doubles as Storage
Toy storage ideas for small spaces can include bringing in furniture that doubles as storage. For example, benches are great for having large open spaces inside them to store stuffed animals, dolls, board games, and more. Cabinets with doors are also good to have around because they help hide the clutter.
Coffee tables or end tables with drawers or cupboards underneath are great places to stash puzzles and other games. Because you need furniture, make sure you have furniture with built-in storage to store away your kid’s toys.
2. Consider Woven Baskets for Toys
Toy storage doesn’t have to be stuffy. Woven baskets are great for storing all types of toys, especially ones with lots of small pieces that can easily get lost or misplaced. You can keep stuffed animals in them or even use them to put puzzles together. They are so versatile, and they come in every style imaginable.
3. Put Your Toys on Shoe Racks
If your wardrobe is ready to burst, you might want to consider using a shoe organizer as toy storage. They come in all different shapes and sizes, and they can fit under beds and desks like nothing else. A hanging shoe rack on the back of your closet or bedroom door can help you store small stuffed animals or Barbie’s and action figures. You can also use a sliding shoe rack on a closet floor to hold Barbie’s and action figures.
4. Stick it to Wall or Fridge with Command Hooks
If your kids use their rooms more like a gymnasium than anything else, consider screwing small shelves on the wall to store some of their stuff. If you don’t want to damage the walls or rent, you can pick up some self-adhesive command hooks that work just as well. You’ll be surprised at how much stuff you can store on the wall if you use the command hooks.
You can also stick small boxes or bins on the side of your refrigerator with a magnet or suction cup, then fill it with tiny toys or craft supplies.
5. Consider Portable Toy Caddies
Toy caddies are great because you can move them around the house to wherever your child is playing. They’re especially nice for keeping the kitchen clean after dinner, but they work just as well in other rooms. The best part about these holders for toys is that kids learn to pick up their things when mom or dad needs to put them away.
6. Make a Decorative Holder for Little Toys
A large, plastic lidded container is another functional toy caddy that you can store big toys in, but it’s also very pretty when you place soft toys into it. And the lid keeps the dust off of them too. Just make sure to bring out one or two favorite items daily to entice your child to clean up after themselves.
7. Turn to a Pegboard or Wall Hooks
Try to place a pegboard or wall hook inside your closet and use it for hanging sports, rackets, small baskets of toys, or doll clothes. You can do this on a wall if you keep it neat without clothes hanging on it. This keeps the clothes where they belong and still keeps toys off the floor or dresser surfaces.
8. Maximize the Space Outside Your Living Space
If you have a playroom, bedroom, or basement area to use as your toy storage space, it is well worth the time and effort to maximize this for toys. Use totes and containers with lids so that children can place their toys away without throwing them in a box where they might get lost. This will save you time and keep the toy area free of clutter.
9. Use Storage Bins For All Sizes of Toys
Toy bins are a great way to organize all sorts of different-sized toys. You can use them for dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, Lego pieces, blocks, puzzles, doll clothes-the possibilities are endless! These are also great for storing art supplies.
10. Organizing By Color & Size
If your children are old enough to care about having their toys organized by color or size, you can use this trick to make them happy. Younger children may not mind that the red Lego bricks are mixed in with the yellow ones, but older kids will find it frustrating if they can’t find the right colored bricks when they want them.
11. Utilize the Space Behind Your Couch
Do you have an old couch that’s just taking up space? Before throwing it out, try to think of creative ways to utilize the space behind it. This could include hiding toys, blankets, pillows, or movies in some accessible containers.
You can also turn the storage bench on top of its side so you’ll be able to create a stage for your kids to perform for you and their friends. If your couch is also pushed flush against a wall, consider pulling it out a bit and stashing toys behind it. If you have an open floor, push some of the big toys behind the couch.
12. Install Hang Shelves
Hang shelves behind and above your couch to create storage space. This shelf does not need to be as large; it can just be a bunch of smaller, floating shelves that cover the wall behind your sofa. You could also use this kind of storage for children’s books or personal items such as photo frames and candles.
13. Consider Exposed and Hidden Storage
When you think of storing your kid’s toys, you will want a place where you can toss things where no one can see them. Consider a unit that offers cubbies for easy access to the books and toys your kids use daily and features a few cabinets that can quickly hide messes.
14. Use Rolling Bins For Under the Bed Storage
If you have a lot of clothes or bedding that needs to be stored under your child’s bed, look for storage systems that feature rolling bins. These are much easier to access than plastic bins in which it is difficult to see what is inside them. Rolling bins are also easy to move when you need to vacuum or clean under the bed, and they can often be used for books or toys.
15. Use Different Types of Storage
You can never run out of space to store your toys. Instead, opt for various storage options such as baskets and open-faced stackable bins so you can customize the storage solution for each type of toy.
16. Label Everything
You can ensure that your child can organize their toys by labeling everything they own. Use pictures of the toy in question next to the label, and if your child is old enough, you can write on their labels for them.
17. Make Use of Bookcases
Don’t underestimate the power of a sturdy bookcase. Whether you use it to store books or toys, this is an excellent way to get more organized in your child’s bedroom or playroom. Mix and match the shelves by adding a few baskets to store toys next to your books.
18. Turn to Mesh Containers
While you may love baskets because it’s easy to toss toys in and create a clean in seconds, sometimes it is difficult to find exactly what you need. That said, consider baskets made of mesh material. They are durable, easy to clean, and you can see exactly what is hiding inside.
19. Bring in Standing Cabinet
Look for pieces such as cabinets or media consoles that can double as toy storage. These are great for kids’ rooms. It allows you to keep all the pieces in one location while keeping them out of sight if needed.
20. Use Modular Storage
Choose modular storage that can grow with your child. Make sure you can easily adjust the shelf sizes as your storage needs change without re-installing anything. Modular shelving is a great option, especially if your kid often outgrows toys and you don’t want to donate them.
FAQs on Toy Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
How do you keep kids’ toys safe?
To keep your kid’s toys safe, organized, and easy to transport, use colored plastic bins with lids. Place heavier toys on the bottom of the bins while putting stuffed animals and fragile items on top.
How do you organize kid’s toys that are everywhere you look?
If your kid’s toys are scattered around the house, then you can use a combination of floor-to-ceiling storage units and baskets. Place baskets on the lower shelves for easy reach while hanging other items on high hooks.
Final Verdict
There you have it! Storing your kid’s toys in a small space is not that difficult. With little knowledge and creativity, you can come up with easy storage solutions for your kids.
