If you had talked to me just a couple of months ago, I would have told you that I was incredibly overwhelmed by our toy situation in our small home. Having a baby and a toddler (who are about to share a room, might I add), our toy situation has already exploded. And with the baby napping in the nursery, the only real place for our toddler to play has been our living room.
Needless to say, toys have been EVERYWHERE. Cleaning them up meant shoving them in a pile in the corner. And while I always thought I would be a mom who only bought aesthetically-pleasing toys for my kids (LOL – definitely didn’t happen), we are blessed with amazing grandparents who have given us every toy that we own. Our kids looooove them all! They vary in style and color, so having a way to organize them and make our living room feel like home again has been life changing!
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I FINALY decided to get our toy situation under control, and I’m so glad I did! With a few key pieces and only about 30 minutes of time, I was able to transform our home and get our living room back. I’m so excited to share what I’ve learned through this toy storage ideas post!
In this post
The Best Toy Storage Ideas
Playroom/Nursery Toy Storage
1. Invest in a bookshelf!
I LOVE our bookshelf from Urban Outfitters. The natural wood colors brings warmth to the room and it’s great for organizing books, stuffed animals, and small toys!
2. Utilize space under the crib or bed.
Having small storage bins or baskets under a crib or bed is a great way to store smaller toys and extra blankets. I love how easy they are to bring out as needed!
3. Baskets everywhere.
Literally, everywhere. Large baskets in the corner of the room, small baskets on the bookshelf (for small toys), on top of the dresser or changing table. Baskets are a beautiful way to organize toys in a playroom or nursery!
4. A classic toy chest!
We can’t forget about the ultimate classic toy storage solution – a large toy chest! This is perfect for a playroom and adds extra seating as well. I love this Natural Wood Toy Chest by Melissa & Doug!
Toy Storage Ideas for the Living Room
5. Use a mix of small and large baskets.
This toy storage idea has TRULY transformed my living room. Using a mix of small and large baskets are the way to go for organizing toys! This GIANT basket (with a lid, might I add) is my favorite for throwing toys into at the end of the day. It helps my living room feel put together again!
6. Invest in storage-friendly furniture.
This is one of the ultimate ways to find a place for larger toys. This coffee table from West Elm has been a lifesaver for our living room with small to medium sized toys, remotes, electronics, etc. I also LOVE this beautiful storage bench for keeping larger toys out of the way!
Outdoor Toy Storage
7. Store toys near or inside the shed.
This has been life changing! Keeping outdoor toys in a designated area, even if it means just pushing them up next to the shed, is so helpful.
8. Keep a toy storage bin outside!
Investing in a toy storage bin outside is definitely an essential for an organized back yard! I love this Wicker Storage Trunk from West Elm. It’s so pretty and easy for the kids to use!
9. Make use of your outdoor coffee table.
A coffee table with storage is definitely another great way to store toys! If your outdoor coffee table doesn’t have storage, simply add a bin or basket underneath the coffee table to keep toys organized and out of the way.
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Big Toy Storage
10. Invest in a large storage bench.
I’ve already mentioned this bench, but I’m just THAT obsessed with it. A large storage bench like this one is perfect for keeping in an entry way or living room and storing big toys!
11. Make them part of your decor/aesthetic.
This one’s tricky, because it would mean either replacing toys with more aesthetically-pleasing ones, or just planning your toys out really well. None of which I have done! But if you can and want to, another option for larger toys is to make them a part of your decor and aesthetic. Here are some of my favorites:
12. Don’t forget to declutter!
Have a plethora of toys that don’t have a place and your kiddos are no longer interested in? It’s time to declutter! Set aside a day to sort through toys and either sell or donate toys that are no longer useful.
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The #1 Tip for Toy Storage
The #1 tip for storing toys and keeping the mess at bay is to make sure every single toy has a “home”! When everything has a place, it makes clean up at the end of the day much easier. It’s worth the time and effort to find a home for every single toy that you can feel good about!
And remember, friend, that this is just a season. A day will come when our littles grow up, the toys will be gone, and our homes will (hopefully) feel organized again. I know that I will always look back on the season of disastrous and unorganized toys with a happy heart and sweet memories. Let’s enjoy the season we are in while we can, mama!
Deborah Brooks says:
It has been a long time for me but gosh the toys everywhere just drove me bonkers! Baskets are great