Toys in my house seem to multiply exponentially every passing day and I cannot clearly explain how. Hand me downs, birthday or Christmas gifts are responsible for this, to the greatest extent.
So, one of the things that used to bother me so much, and still bothers so many parents, is how to store toys.
Research shows that clutter increases stress and anxiety among most people.
Therefore, there’s no doubt that we should ensure our homes are free of clutter by learning where to store toys.
Let me share a few ideas with you.
By Lilian.
How to Store Toys in the Living Room
The living room is not the playroom. Plus, I don’t think it would be any relaxing to feel like you’re seated in a nursery or a toy store. Right?
So, to strike this balance, I prefer to keep toys in the living room kind of hidden.
#1: Get a Coffee Table with Storage
If you’re looking for ideas to hide toys in the living room, how would you miss out on a coffee table with storage underneath?
The space on most tables is big enough for 2-3 baskets, which is a lot of space for toy storage!
#2: Have You Thought of Relocating Your Sofa?
Most people have sofas pushed against the wall to increase space in the living room.
What if you pull it out a little? That space between the wall and the sofa is a lot of toy storage right there!
You can actually arrange a few toy baskets behind there!
#3: How About Bookcases and Sideboards?
Why not make use of that sideboard or bookcase to put away toys?
You can arrange the toys on the lower portion of the bookcase.
#4: What about an Ottoman with Storage?
If you need an excuse to re-decorate your living room, and have some extra storage, this is it!
Ottomans that come with storage are fantastic multi-purpose furniture you should not miss.
It’s so relaxing just throwing the toys in the Ottoman and forgetting about the mess when it’s time to relax.
#5: Install a Window Seat with Storage
I saw this at a friend’s house and it’s stunning.
All you need to do is install a built-in seat next to the window and have some cabinets underneath.
What’s more, the natural light makes this specific point of your living room a fantastic sit-and-read space for your little tots!
Toy Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
#6: Furniture with Storage are a Must-have
If you’re living in a small space, then multi-purpose furniture should be a priority.
Some of the items you should look out for include the coffee table with storage, an ottoman with storage, a sofa with storage, and/or a toy chest that’s also a bench.
#7: Try the Sofa Table
The space below your sofa table – that table that’s positioned right behind the sofa – can fit 2-3 gorgeous toy baskets to stash away different toys.
#8: How About Woven Baskets?
Woven baskets are great options for those loose toys.
All you have to do is tuck the baskets in corners or behind furniture in the living room.
Don’t forget to incorporate your little one’s preferences when picking those elegant woven baskets!
#9: Toy Hammocks are Great for Stuffed Animals
If your little one’s love for stuffed animals matches my son’s, then you must have a toy hammock.
This is excellent storage for our toy furry friends.
For us, we positioned the hammock right above my son’s bed for easier accessibility and to save on space.
Let us now shift focus to the big toys. These ones are arguably the hardest toys to store.
But don’t worry, I got you. Read on.
Large Toy Storage Ideas
#10: Try Bookshelves
Wooden bookshelves are excellent storage options for large toys.
Check out here how one lady got two shelving units for her children’s big, bulky toys.
The best thing is that toys are easy to find on these units and the arrangement looks amazing even when placed in your living room’s alcove.
#11: Create Some Space Behind the Sofa
The space between the wall and your sofa is fantastic for those large toys, both lightweight and heavyweight toys.
Be sure to pull out enough space to avoid shattering the corners of plastic toys.
#12: Get Some Toy Shelves
Those monster toy trucks look stunning when “parked” on a toy shelf.
What I love most about shelves is that they motivate you to limit the number of toys.
With toy shelves, you find yourself regularly sorting out toys to create more space for new ones.
However, it’s good to ensure that the shelves are low enough for easier accessibility.
Conclusively, toy storage doesn’t have to be such a daunting task.
Cut the slack and sort out those toys. Take out the broken ones, the incomplete ones, those your child(ren) have outgrown and those that they rarely play with, then employ the ideas listed in this article.
That’s not so difficult, right?
Photo by Scott McNiel.
