If you are in search of the finest toy storage concepts for 2025, this article is ideal for you! Continue reading to discover how to arrange toys in compact areas.
Best part? These storage options can be utilized throughout your household if you lack a designated playroom! (Our residence doesn’t feature a playroom, so I crafted our children’s bedrooms and closets with toy organization as a priority.)
We will explore numerous storage methods, including sliding storage bins, wall shelving, and the simplest ways to organize smaller toys. Let’s dive in!
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Before You Organize: Clear Out and Donate
Although the majority of this blog entry will focus on organizing and storing toys, decluttering is a crucial initial step. (Feel free to skip ahead if you’re solely interested in the organizing tips!)
The quantity of toys you wish to keep in your home is a personal decision and will vary among families. I’m going to share a few methods that have made decluttering and donating toys a regular part of our routine, purely as a reference. As always, do what suits your family best. If you have suggestions that I didn’t mention, please leave a comment below so I can enhance this post for others!
- Determine where toys should be stored in your home. Pro tip: It’s beneficial to assign a limited storage capacity! This way, when the toy storage starts overflowing, you’ll recognize that you possess too many items (based on your prior decisions) and it’s time to declutter.
- Allocate specific time for a “toy evaluation.” An excellent time to conduct a toy audit is before birthdays and holidays. However, like most household tasks, I find it less daunting to tackle a little at a time as I notice items.
- Think about involving children in the donation of old toys. Sometimes it’s simpler to discreetly remove items and see if anyone notices. Conversely, there are advantages to including children in the process. (I’ve experienced it both ways!) If you wish to engage younger kids, select a few specific items to discuss with them. As they grow older, they can start to recognize unused toys independently.
- Donate cherished toys to a local free store or nonprofit organization. You might also consider volunteering with your family so that children can learn how donations are sorted and distributed.
How to Arrange Toys with Sliding Storage Bins
First, let’s discuss shelves equipped with sliding bins. They rank among the top toy storage solutions, in my view! Sliding bins offer easy access, allowing kids to see what’s inside.
I recently accomplished a closet transformation with sliding storage bins for holding toys and craft materials. I utilized shelves and felt bins (no longer available but these are comparable) from Target which are perfect for playroom storage.
My children can effortlessly take out the bins and bring them to the table for a project. Clip-on bin labels make maintaining organization straightforward.
Pro tip: Short bins hold the perfect quantity of blocks or coloring books. Additionally, you can acquire tall bins for larger toys.
I also implemented sliding storage bins in my son’s room for organizing Legos. This is the IKEA Trofast system, but in case you can’t access an IKEA, here are similar selections from Target and Wayfair.
For this setup, I employed clear business card pocket holders and printed labels for each type of Lego set. Alternatively, you could utilize blank business cards or a label maker.
A shallow container is ideal for blocks and construction toys since it allows children to easily locate the pieces they require. For organizing even tinier items, refer to the section The Optimal Method to Organize Small Toys.
If I were to select the finest method for toy storage, I would opt for sliding storage bins. I appreciate that these can be effortlessly rearranged and that labels can be modified as children’s preferences evolve through the years.
For additional inspiration, explore my articles on Kids Craft Organization and Top Lego Storage Suggestions.
Organizing Toys in a Cube Organizer
A cube organizer serves as another excellent choice for arranging toys in a children’s play area or compact living room. They generally come in two dimensions: 11″ cubes or 13″ cubes.
I personally adore this 13″ cube organizer from Walmart, which I’ve utilized in various colors throughout our home. Here it is styled in my daughter’s space !
To complete the aesthetic, I used these fabric cube bins from Walmart (here’s a similar alternative from Amazon).
Something I appreciate about a cube organizer is its understated, minimalist appearance. It serves as an excellent resolution for a tidy playroom, but can also be utilized to design a specific play area within another room.
In the past, when my children were younger, our dining area also functioned as a playroom, allowing us to keep a closer eye on them. A wooden-toned cube organizer provided the ideal playroom storage at that time, seamlessly blending in with our decor while concealing yet organizing the toys.
To style a cube organizer, you can opt for matching fabric bins , or select various styles for the upper and lower shelves. Circular baskets can also enhance the aesthetics as they break up the uniformity of straight lines. And if visibility of contents is not an issue, consider clear bins to facilitate easy access to toys!
If you wish to label the baskets in a cube organizer, you can purchase a set of labels or create your own. Clip-on bin tags are an excellent option for fabric bins.
For further ideas, peruse the article Budget-Friendly Pretty Cube Toy Storage.
Expert tip: Cube organizer bins can accommodate a significant quantity of toys, so be sure to check out the upcoming section for methods to keep smaller toys organized!
The Optimal Approach to Organize Small Toys
One of the key hurdles while managing toy clutter is deciding how to address smaller toys. Ranging from doll accessories to Lego bricks, it can be challenging to monitor tiny toys and prevent losing pieces.
Reusable zipper bags to the rescue! These mesh pouches serve as one of the finest solutions for toy storage. Previously, I utilized gallon ziplock bags, but the pouches are significantly more durable and user-friendly for children. I have also employed this similar set that comes with label pockets and tags.
Categories of toys suitable for zipper bags:
- Puzzles
- Art materials
- Train sets
- Toy vehicles
- Doll accessories
- Playing cards
- Craft materials
- Lego kits
- Polly Pockets
- Hot Wheels
- Calico Critters
- LOL dolls
Essentially, any small toys that require a specific location. Zipper pouches are an economical means to address a clutter of toys in any area.
Moreover, zipper bags can be utilized within sliding containers or a cube organizer (mentioned in the prior sections) to keep smaller elements consolidated. For instance, I used zipper bags for doll garments, doll accessories, and mini play sets in my daughter’s space.
In my son’s area, we organized Lego kits using zipper bags inside larger containers.
Another method to organize tiny toys: Consider using plastic bins that can be stacked vertically or horizontally. These are also ideal for board games or small collectibles! In this scenario, I would print a label for each bin to facilitate easy clean-up. I use this label maker.
How to Showcase Action Figures or Barbies
Over the past year or so, my daughter has developed a passion for everything Barbie. I recently posted extensively about how to organize Barbies, but I wanted to include some additional tips here as well.
After reviewing various choices, I opted for open shelving for Barbie dolls. This is a straightforward approach to keeping dolls off the floor. Simultaneously, the dolls remain visible, which seems to foster independent play for my children. I utilized this wall rack that is also ideal for children’s books or action figures!
Wall racks are generally slim and can fit into small areas, such as a corridor or behind a bedroom door. They are also a fantastic way to achieve a built-in storage appearance while being budget-friendly.
Searching for additional ways to organize a Barbie collection? Explore How to Organize Barbies and Accessories for an in-depth look!
Open Shelving for Plush Animals
Another category of children’s items that many wish to arrange: plush animals. (Also referred to as lovies, plushies, or stuffies!) They are a favored collectible among young kids, but finding a spot for them can be challenging.
While a large container in a play area or closet provides a simple answer, I wanted to explore an alternative in my daughter’s room. I believed that showcasing her plush animals on wall shelves would create the ideal decor over the bed. We already had these IKEA picture ledges available, and they worked perfectly!
You may also utilize scalloped or rattan shelves to enhance the appeal of a bare wall. Ensure to verify the shelf measurements to confirm they will accommodate your children’s plush toys.
As an alternative, consider a stuffed animal hammock in the corner of a compact room. This storage option exudes a bohemian ambiance and is effective for keeping stuffed animals elevated and off the floor!
Methods to Organize Children’s Art Supplies
Another fantastic trick for playroom storage is an over-the-door hanging organizer. In the image below, you can observe that I employed one on the backside of a closet door to store art supplies. The pouches assist in maintaining various art supplies and small toys in order.
A hanging organizer also serves as a wonderful location to store dolls, card games, or action figures in a confined area. Utilize one on the reverse side of a door in any child-friendly space to manage assorted items. I have incorporated these organizers throughout our entire home for items like cleaning supplies, as well.
The Finest Large Baskets for Children’s Toys
Ultimately, sometimes you simply require a catch-all for children’s toys that habitually land on the floor. This is where sizable fabric or wicker baskets come into play. They provide an ideal spot for stuffed animals, dress-up attire, or larger toys that won’t fit on a shelf.
Large baskets with lids are an excellent choice for the corner of tight living areas. Another alternative is to position a broad basket beneath your coffee table.
Baskets generally appear more visually appealing than plastic containers, and you can select a design that aligns with your personal style. Opt for a seagrass basket for coastal aesthetics, or a basket adorned with tassels for a bohemian appearance.
If you have adequate floor area, consider a large basket in your family room to aid children in tidying up at day’s end! You can also interchange a few different baskets for toy rotation.
Explore My Favorite Toy Storage Suggestions
Lastly, here are even more excellent toy storage concepts to peruse!
I trust this post was useful if you are determining how to arrange toys in your residence. Share which suggestion was your favorite! If I overlooked any of your preferred playroom organizing strategies, feel free to mention them in a comment below.
Additional organizing concepts for your home:
