If your living room is a toy-filled disaster, it’s time to regain control. Parents with homes overrun with dinosaurs and dolls might be tempted to just give up and accept that they’ll be weeding through piles of clutter for the next five years or so. Or they might resign to a life of constantly picking up after their little ones, even if it means stashing Legos, Play-Doh, Magna-Tiles and Hot Wheels into any available closet to maintain some ounce of sanity.
But there are better solutions. We spoke to several professional organizers and interior designers who assure us that by implementing easy organizing systems and finding the just-right storage units, you can manage the overwhelming amount of toys that build up with time, holidays and birthdays.
“The first [step] is to narrow down what the kids actually want and need,” says Brandie Larsen. She and her sister Ryan Eiesland, the pro organizers behind Sacramento-based Home Sort, believe that little ones enjoy getting their Marie Kondo on.
“Kids love a chance to make the decisions and be in the driver’s seat,” says Eiesland. During the editing process, the duo helps assess every item in a child’s room. The kids then decide if the items are something they still want and play with. “If not, then it goes in the toss or donate pile,” she says. For the items that are sticking around, it’s all about creating a system that the child can maintain.
New York-based professional organizer Andrew Mellen relies on his Organizational Triangle method to keep a home clutter-free. The main principles include establishing one home for every item, meaning everything from walkie talkies to the Hatchimals have one—and only one—home. This makes finding items and putting them away much easier. Next, store like with like, when it comes to kids stuff: art supplies with art supplies, plush toys with plush toys, shoes with shoes, dolls with dolls, etc. “I’ve taught the organization triangle to four year olds who will adhere to it super easily and it’s fun to game-ify the experience as well,” he says. Just set a timer for 10 minutes and whoever gets the most stuff into their bins gets a fruit leather or treat of their choice.
To find the perfect home for your kids’ stuff we spoke to Mellen, the duo behind Home Sort and 11 other professionals. Here are their top picks for toy storage.
Keep It Simple With Clear Bins
When it comes to storage options for toddlers and little kids, Mellen is a firm believer of plastic bins. “We do not put lids on anything we want children to interact with, because if they have a physical barrier between them and the home for something, you might as well put a brick wall there. They will not go through the lid to put stuff away,” he says. Instead he recommends using uniform plastic tubs that are clear so kids can easily see what’s inside them.
Put It On Display
When Indiana-based interior designer Kara Grider tackles children’s spaces, she has fun with the designs. “Kids want to be in spaces that make them happy,” she says. “So adding cheerful wallpaper or painted murals, hanging DIY artwork or creating storage solutions with items not typically used as storage is the way to go.” For example, the designer hangs purses on the wall for a girls’ space to hold small handheld toys in them or uses a magnetic knife stripe to hold race cars on the wall. Peg and cork boards are another favorite that can hold light items and can be wrapped in fabric or painted to fit the look of the space. “The more vertical storage the better because it gives the kids more floor space to roam and play,” she says.
Step Up Your Storage With Labels
After a round of editing out toys, the Home Sort sisters sort and categorize the remaining items and create a system the kids can follow. One tool that helps them in the process is see-through bins. They love these mDesign containers—that come with pre-made labels!— for corralling Legos, small toys, slime and Play-Doh.
Grab-And-Go Storage To The Rescue
Jessica Davis, owner and principal designer of JL Design in Nashville,TN says the Bratton toy organizer by Mack & Milo is a must-have for a playroom. The piece features 12 storage baskets that are set on an angle and make seeing, grabbing and putting toys away a breeze.
Genius Lego Storage
When it comes to Legos (one of the peskiest toys to organize), Davis goes right to the source. The brand’s Lego Storage Brick Drawer has two spacious compartments for all those little parts or any toy or office supply really. Designed like the iconic Lego brick, the box features eight oversized studs that connect to additional Brick drawers when you run out of space—which is often if you have a Lego fanatic. The fun design also comes in a variety of bold colors.
Two-In-One Storage
In small spaces, multipurpose items are a must. Eddie Maestri, architect and creative director at Dallas-based Maestri Studio loves storage beds for a kid’s room. In fact, he used the West Elm Mid-Century Side Storage Platform Bed, with cubbies and built-in shelving, for his own son’s room. “It is perfect for a smaller space and allows him to display his Pez collection, books and still have room for a bedside lamp,” he says. Another bonus: The sideways position allows for more floor real estate to play.
Wheel It In
New York-based interior designer Casey DeBois of DeBois Design follows the Montessori system of everything having its place, which she believes also helps kids clean up and put things back where they’re supposed to be. “The more systems in place, the easier it is for everyone to follow,”she says. To corral art supplies she likes a rolling cart. “It keeps everything contained, you can easily see your supplies, and it’s mobile.” Hey, you never know where inspiration will strike.
Store Smartly
Shoving items in a closet is one way to hide clutter, but retrieving said items, like balls, board games and dolls—especially when they’re stuck in the back corner—can be a pain. Enter: a toy chest on wheels. “It can quickly be rolled out to play with items stored inside and then just as easily wheeled back into the closet when playtime is over,” says DeBois.
Upgrade A Woven Basket
When designing a child’s space, Australia-based Decorist designer, Belinda Nihill loves including a nice big basket or two. “I love these for corralling soft toys or using them as a dirty clothes hamper,” she says of the cute Bunny Williams nesting baskets. The scalloped liner adds a whimsical touch to the room and keeps kids safe from scratchy surfaces.
Cubbies Are Key
“You do not need a lot of furniture to keep things organized in a kids’ space,” says Idaho-based Decorist designer, Mikayla Keating. Her advice: Keep pieces minimal and the room layout simple to make more room for play. One furniture item she does love including is a cubby-style shelf. Just add soft bins with handles that are easy to grab, and you have a perfect toy solution.
Multifunctional And Fun Storage
A Designated Place For Books
Books can pile up quickly. “Set up a place for them that makes it easy for your child to choose a book without having to get them all out,” says Keating. She likes Ameriwood Home’s oak system which combines a bookcase with toy storage at the bottom. Bonus: the books themselves act as a decorative focal point.
Dallas-based interior designer Shelly Rosenberg agrees. She says, “Children are more confident and secure when they know what to expect, so organizing books in open shelves provides a familiar place to find their favorite stories.” Another tip: Rosenberg says when we organize books in rainbow order on a traditional shelf, we teach kids color, sorting, and sequencing. “The latter is an important component for reading and problem-solving skills,” she says.
Keep It Accessible
“When it comes to kids’ storage, the most important thing is to keep it simple and at eye level,” says Hudson, NY-based interior designer Nicole Fisher of BNR Interiors. She likes keeping baskets and books on low shelves so they can easily access them. This sleek, Montessori-style playshelf is crafted from birchwood and comes with two wooden trays and two storage bins for added organization. Plus, the ample hidden storage in the back allows for easy toy rotation.
Mix In Some Closed Storage
“We love open shelving alongside cabinets to show off signature toys and books for a fun and playful vibe, as well as to stash the rest so it doesn’t get too busy,” says Havenly lead designer, Kelsey Fisher. One cabinet the brand particularly loves is this Pottery Barn Kids Cameron Wall System. “It allows you to mix-and-match pieces to best serve your space and storage needs,” she says.
Go Vertical
“To maximize storage space within a kids’ room, opt for taller storage pieces,” says Havenly Design Editor, Heather Goerzen. Her design tip: Whether going for a singular unit or a combined series, add baskets to corral smaller elements, and treat toys and books like styling decor that can played with and rearranged. The tall shelf on her wish-list is Leanne Ford’s Dolly bookcase. “This modern bookcase features natural wood and an on-trend curved shape,” says Goerzen. “It transforms ‘storage’ into a chic and effortlessly cool vignette. I want one.”
Benches Mean Storage And Seating
Tall Baskets For Temporary Serenity
At the end of the day, don’t beat your self up if the place is not back to order. “Not all of us have the energy or temperament for exact systems,” says Rosenberg, “but you can still eliminate visual clutter.” Her advice: buy baskets or laundry hampers to toss all the toys into each day to give your family a visually serene living room or playroom before bed.
