Housekeeping Storage Solutions Storage Projects 25 Toy Storage Ideas to Help You Tidy Up Keep kids entertained and keep the house neat by creating simple systems for children's toys. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Mary Cornetta Mary Cornetta Instagram Website Mary Cornetta has been in the professional organizing industry for over 5 years. She knew she had a passion for decluttering and organization upon graduating Marist College in 2007, however, pursued it as a hobby instead of a career. All of that changed when Mary founded Sort and Sweet Inc on Long Island in 2017. Since then, she has worked hands-on and virtually with hundreds of clients to clear their clutter and create functional systems in their homes and offices. Mary runs the Sort and Sweet social media accounts, creating content and writing captions with organizing tips and inspiration for more than 12,000 followers. Recently relocated to Savannah, she continues to own and operate the business with the help of a talented team. Mary has been a weekly contributing writer for House Digest and has been interviewed as an expert by Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Health magazines. She is the owner of the blog, Organized Overall, in which she details how she creates organization in her home. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 6, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: John Bessler When left unchecked, kids' toys tend to turn up all over the house. To keep towers of toys contained, try these solutions to stash their playthings in an organized, accessible place. These kids' toy storage ideas will help contain the clutter in your child's room and throughout the rest of your home. 01 of 25 Back-of-the-Door Toy Storage Stacy Zarin Goldberg One of the most underused spaces in most homes is the inside of doors. If you’re cramped for space, utilize the back of a closet or bedroom door. Consider adding a sturdy organizer to a playroom toy closet. Tuck books into baskets or hang dress-up costumes from hooks on a pegboard. These types of racks are completely customizable so they can grow with your child, and their stuff, over time. Store More with These Door Storage Ideas 02 of 25 Mix-and-Match Storage Containers Marty Baldwin Not every single bin or basket has to be the same for an organized playroom. Sure, it gives a seamless look but you can easily organize toys without blowing your budget on new containers. Corral a handful of containers from around the house and arrange similar ones together on the same shelves. Open baskets with handles work well for larger toys like stuffed animals and trucks. Lidded bins that stack are good for smaller items like dinosaurs and tracks. While they might not match exactly, they’ll still look coordinated and keep toys tidy. 6 Pretty Ways to Organize with Storage Containers 03 of 25 Simple Solutions for Kids' Toys David Land Baskets are one of the easiest ways to clean up after a long day of play. While they’re not exactly space-saving, a few baskets strategically scattered around a play area, kid's bedroom, or den will make tidying up a breeze. Toss soft items such as stuffed animals, dolls, and balls into wide, open baskets and clear the floors in a matter of seconds. If you’re using baskets in a communal area, such as the living room, choose ones that match the aesthetic and have a lid so they blend into the decor. 20 Smart Ways to Organize with Baskets for a Less Cluttered Home 04 of 25 Kids' Storage Shelves Edmund Barr Take advantage of every inch of available space in your child's room by outfitting corners or narrow stretches of wall with built-in shelving. The shelves of this niche offer storage space for books, with most within kids' reach. This trick is especially handy when configuring toy storage ideas for small spaces. 05 of 25 Kids' Toy Organization John Bessler Food storage containers are a smart, space-saving way to organize small kids' toys. These clear containers with snap-on lids provide designated places for toy cars, character figurines, crayons, and more. Stack them up inside large baskets for easy portability. 06 of 25 Under-Stairs Storage Stacy Zarin Goldberg Awkward space below stairs can provide much-needed storage. Whether it’s already built out or you’re handy and want to DIY under-the-stairs shelving, this area can serve as the perfect hidden toy storage. Longer shelves bode well for containers and baskets for small items like cars and blocks. Shorter, staggered shelves display favorite figurines, souvenirs from vacation, artwork, and the latest Lego creations. If the kids are old enough, include a step stool so they can reach the top shelves. 20 Staircase Storage Ideas to Help You Make the Most of Every Inch 07 of 25 Kid-Friendly Storage Labels Brie Williams Kids of varying ages might not be on the same reading level as one another. While labeling is always a good idea to keep things better organized, it might be difficult for young children to read them. Consider combining words with photos of the type of toy on the same label. This helps everyone find and put away toys. It can also prove beneficial for those beginning to read as they associate the words with a visual of the item. The 13 Best Storage Containers of 2023 08 of 25 Built-In Kids' Storage Werner Straube Utilize built-in cabinetry to hide kids' toy storage in plain sight. Among this bank of cabinets, one unit is dedicated to storing art supplies, books, puzzles, and other playthings. A pull-out shelf keeps supplies in easy reach, while bins offer stow-away space for loose items like building blocks. 09 of 25 Coffee Table Toy Storage Jay Wilde Family rooms are often multipurpose spaces used for play and hosting guests. Having a quick and easy way to put toys away when needed (especially for those last-minute pop-ins) can help keep your room neat and tidy. A coffee table with storage is a simple solution. Find one with cabinets that close and hide clutter. Board games and puzzles stack well inside, while the surface makes the perfect place to play games or put together the puzzles on family game night. 5 Easy Ways to Organize Board Games 10 of 25 Toy Storage Baskets Steven McDonald Baskets can provide simple storage for children's toys. This colorful assortment provides lightweight storage for books, art supplies, plush toys, and other small items in a playroom. Color-code the bins for specific purposes, or label the front of each to make cleanup time a breeze for little hands. 11 of 25 Kid-Friendly Open Shelving Edmund Barr Low, open shelves make it easy for kids to grab their favorite toys and put them away when playtime is over. Use baskets, canisters, or desktop organizers to sort and store loose items for a clean look. Soft-sided bins with handles provide convenient access for little hands. 12 of 25 Color-Coordinated Toy Storage Idea Jay Wilde Kids love colors and The Home Edit has made color-coordinating organization a household trend. Make tidying up fun for children by incorporating this concept into their play area. Whether it’s books or blocks, sorting things by hue lets kids easily find and replace what they want and can help them learn their colors along the way. Easily categorize Lego bricks by their bold colors, and use a separate drawer or bin for red, green, blue, yellow, and so on. Complete this toy storage idea with labels (in the same color, of course!) so kids can easily identify the pieces they need for their newest invention. 13 of 25 Kids' Storage Furniture Brie Williams Bring in stand-alone furniture pieces to boost storage and display space in a child's bedroom. Here, a tall bookshelf that holds books, craft supplies, and collectibles pairs with a simple bench to create a colorful reading nook. Open storage below the bench seat offers a spot to store board games and other small playthings. 14 of 25 Decorative Toy Storage Kritsada Panichgul Turn toys into works of art with this storage idea. Acrylic display boxes mounted to the wall create a place of honor for kids' creations or favorite playthings. Display items inside and on top to decorate your child's room with their handiwork. 15 of 25 Kids' Book Storage Brie Williams This kids' storage idea utilizes books as part of the room's decor. Shallow floating shelves prop up a colorful collection of kids' books next to a cozy reading chair. A raised front edge keeps the books from sliding off the shelf. 16 of 25 Under-Bed Kids' Storage Michael Partenio Utilize toy storage ideas high and low in kids' rooms. These matching twin beds boast handy under-bed drawers, which offer a terrific spot to stash specialty items such as out-of-season clothing or bulky sports equipment. A dresser unit in between the beds can corral smaller items, such as school supplies and books. 17 of 25 Repurposed Shoe Organizer Jay Wilde Over-the-door shoe organizers are versatile and work in many areas of the house, including containing toiletries in the bathroom and providing winter gear storage in a coat closet. You can also use them to store toys, specifically Barbies or other dolls, that easily nestle into the slots. To keep like items together, consider stuffing doll accessories, such as clothing and shoes, in some of the pockets. Add labels to each one so the kids know exactly where to find what they want when playing. If placing this toy storage over the door makes it too high for kids to reach, remove the hooks and use adhesive ones to hang it lower on the wall. 18 of 25 Toy Storage Cubbies Alec Hemer A set of freestanding bookcases or a cubby system can outfit a kids' room with plenty of storage and style. The versatile toy organizer provides the option of mixing and matching baskets or bins for both concealed and open storage. Here, handled baskets corral items such as plush toys, art supplies, and other small playthings, while open cubbies display colorful books. The top of the unit offers display space for artwork and collectibles. 19 of 25 Window Seat Toy Storage Adam Albright Create the look of a built-in window seat without the expense. This freestanding bench nestles perfectly beneath a window, offering comfy seating that doubles as toy storage. Three cubbies below the seat cushion are easy for kids to access and provide plenty of space to store games, books, and plush toys. Canvas bins, like the blue ones shown here, feature durable material and soft-sided edges, making them ideal for little ones. They are also lightweight and come in a large variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. 20 of 25 Window Nook Storage Edmund Barr Window nooks are the perfect way to create a spot for reading and daydreaming. A thick upholstered cushion and plenty of pillows make it comfy for adults and children alike. Drawers below the window seat serve as toy storage units and provide a spot to stow away games and extra blankets. 21 of 25 Built-In Kids' Desk Brie Williams Built-in desks can be a worthwhile investment that adapts to different uses as your child grows. Closed drawers provide space to store items that tend to clutter the desktop, such as paper and pencils. A tall bookcase showcases books and stuffed animals now but can be used to display collectibles later on. 22 of 25 Repurposed Toy Storage Unit Molly Sinnett This armoire has been repurposed into a handy toy storage unit for a child. The interior shelves are outfitted with storage bins and canisters that house a variety of toys and games. The metal doors offer display space for family photos, dry-erase boards, and kids' artwork attached with magnets. 23 of 25 Mobile Toy Storage Tara Striano Corralling small items such as toy cars and block sets is an important step in keeping your child's room or playroom neat and clutter-free. This handy bin organizer offers space for up to 12 plastic storage bins that can be easily carried around the room when it's time to play and quickly replaced when it's time to clean up. The angled design lets kids easily see what's inside each bin. 24 of 25 Multifunctional Furniture John Bessler Storage ottomans are a great solution for toy storage ideas in the living room. They come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes, and they double as seating or a place to prop up your feet. This toy organizer can be tucked into corners and under console tables or be placed in front of the sofa. The best part is that most are soft-sided, making them even more kid-friendly. Ottomans keep toy clutter discreetly tucked away, yet toys are simple to access at playtime. 25 of 25 Storage Sideboard John Granen A sideboard or a set of cabinets can also be relied upon for tucked-away toy storage. They offer an attractive look yet boast all sorts of storage for games and bulky toys on the inside. Available in many colors and styles, they can be used in just about any room in the home. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit