Effectively storing toys can be a challenge; you want them to be easily accessible, but not in the way all the time.
Especially if you are living in a small space or the main playing area is relatively small. Although let’s be honest, sometimes even the biggest space doesn’t feel big enough for all the toys, no matter how much you rotate, declutter, or mindfully purchase.
Style and functionality play a big role in interior design and home decor. Marrying the two together is the basis of great storage and organization.
While toy storage can be difficult to match with style, this post has over 15 toy storage ideas that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
With ideas on the best toy organizer to give you more space while holding a decent amount of toys and toy storage chest ideas. As well as nursery book and toy storage solutions for both active and quiet play.
Using these ideas as inspiration, you have the option for low toy storage, accessible storage, and hidden storage while keeping the floor free for children to explore and play.
Alternatively, you can mix and match ideas to fit your life.
The Art of Toy Rotation for Efficient Storage
Rotating toys greatly reduces clutter and keeps toys “new”.
Let’s be honest, kids can not only get bored by playing with the same toys repeatedly but also get overwhelmed with too many options.
Rotating toys out every week or month, depending on your child, can reduce clutter and make cleaning up easier.
This is where good toy storage is key; by keeping toys grouped, you can easily move them in and out of rotation.
One of the best toy organizer options for this is probably stackable bins combined with low toy storage furniture. You are giving them the freedom to choose while also keeping clean for everyone.
Store toys away and out of sight when not in use.
You can include all of the toys in the rotation or just a portion.
Keep the rotation easy to track by having numbered bins.
For the best toy organizer setup, use a numbered system. It’s easier to tell which toys have been recently played with and to minimize repeats.
A series of toys that are aesthetically pleasing and often played with can also double as decor.
While having a toy rotation brings “new” toys into the space, reducing boredom but increasing engagement.
Storing Toys in Shared Spaces
Living in a small space is about embracing important things and letting go of things that do not serve you. Storing toys in a playroom or living room follows the same rules.
There are so many ways to integrate toys into shared spaces, including hiding toys in cool chests or ottomans to displaying toys that match your aesthetic as decor.
The best way to embrace the toys and games in a living room is to organize and enjoy the touch of fun chaos that comes with kids and toys.
Blend toys, both large and small, by choosing tones and textures that fit your style.
Take existing pieces and turn them into low-toy storage.
Easy to pack up and easy for kids to reach and play with.
Find practical storage solutions to fit seamlessly into your home:
Space-Saving Solutions: Mastering Between-the-Studs Storage for Every Room
Storing Toys with Multi-Functional Furniture
Using existing furniture or moving towards multi-functional furniture to store toys is a great idea to avoid adding extra furniture to a small space.
Using pieces like ottomans, coffetabels, and the bottom shelves of bookcases offers great low toy storage as well as keeps toys out of view when not in use.
While allowing you to keep your style and work with toy storage in your decor.
Built-in cabinets work wonders with everyday organization, including toy storage.
Combine toy organizers like stackable bins and baskets to keep clutter down in and out of the cabinets. All the while ensuring toys are easily accessible.
One of the best ideas is to store toys out of sight.
Perfect for toys and games that are not played with every day.
Looking for more living room storage ideas and multi-functional furniture?
14 Living Room Storage Ideas For Small Spaces
Multi-Functional Toys: Smart Additions for Small Spaces
If you’re short on space but still want to encourage active play, consider multi-functional toys that both kids and adults can enjoy. Items like wobble boards, balance trainers, and stability pods are compact, easy to tuck away, and surprisingly versatile.
Not only do they support gross motor skills and core strength in children, but they also double as fitness tools for grown-ups, making them a smart investment in any home trying to balance fun, function, and limited space.
These kinds of toys are a win-win when it comes to storing toys efficiently. They blend play and purpose, without taking over your living space.
They are especially useful when you’re trying to simplify toy storage.
Instead of cluttering your home with bulky single-purpose toys, opt for sleek, shareable pieces like:
The Yes4All Bongo Balance Board Trainer is perfect for everyone from kids to adults, ages 5 to 45! It’s a fun way for teens and adults to strengthen their cores while having a great time.
Yes4All Hedgehog Balance Pods are super fun, help improve coordination, and can easily be tucked away in a basket or bin when playtime is over!
Kids love using them for hopping games, and adults find them great for balance training!
Looking for a fun way to stay active while you work from home?
The Yes4All Anti-Slip Rocker Board is perfect for that! It not only makes a great standing desk companion, but it’s also a fantastic toy for balance and play after school.
This seesaw-style toy cleverly doubles as a yoga or desk balance board!
The Yes4All 36″ Wooden Wobble Board is super versatile, it can be used as a rocker, slide, bridge, or balance aid.
Plus, it’s stylish and perfect for a Montessori-inspired play space!
Best Toy Organizer: Using Vertical Space
Taking advantage of vertical space, especially for toys, is the best toy organizer you could have. By creating storage that works best with grouping like toys to getter.
Think baskets on hooks, one for costumes, one for dolls, and one for stuffed animals.
Not only does storing vertically allow more floor space in a small apartment or playroom, but it also makes toy rotation easier by having toys already in their storage.
An excellent use of space, especially in a small home is to take available walls and create vertical storage.
The versatility of pegboards is unmatched, they are one of the best toy organizers for easy access.
Also, they can be used for all ages.
Storing Toys Efficiently with Rolling Carts
Creating a system where toys can be moved in and out of rooms depending on use and available space is a terrific idea.
Move toys, games, and crafts to a rolling cart that can be easily brought out and put away when everyone has finished using it.
A great option for small living rooms or spaces where the option for a permanent palace isn’t available.
A great way to foster organization and independence in younger children.
For a cart with drawers, store tiny toys that otherwise might get lost.
This is a great way to keep small accessories with larger toys.
Use a rolling cart to move books and quiet activities around the house.
Fill it with books and activities, and for younger children, use it as a nursery book storage.
Low Toy Storage: Under-Bed Solutions
Under-bed storage is a great toy storage option, perfect for toys that are usually played on the floor such as Legos and train sets.
It is also a cost-effective and simple option as the storage possibilities are endless from flatbeds and drawers to DIY sliding storage boxes.
Under-bed toy storage bins are ideal for tidying up, as their low height makes it easy for kids to slide toys and games in and out.
This design encourages children to put their toys away with minimal effort (at least in theory).
Under-the-bed storage is ideal for Legos.
Kids often build on the floor, so they can easily roll out the boxes, grab what they need, and start creating.
Finished masterpieces can be displayed on shelves for a few days, while half-finished builds can be placed back in the bins for later.
This setup keeps everything organized and within easy reach.
Maximizing Small Bedroom Storage: Innovative Ideas for Space-Saving
Need more bedroom storage solutions? Explore bedroom and closet storage ideas, perfect for keeping toys organized and out of sight.
Classic Toy Storage Chests for Small Spaces
A toy storage chest in the typical toy box shape can be a statement piece in your living room and also provide practical storage for toys.
Chests are a great option for toy storage in a small playroom or nook. They work well with children of any age, although they are better suited to larger toys.
In a living room or open area, find a chest or toy box that works well with your style and the amount of space you have.
Depending on your style and the amount of space you have, a large sailor’s chest would look great as a coffee table, side table, or simply as decor in the room.
An upholstered bench or chest makes a perfect toy box.
Flexible Solution For Storing Toys: Stackable Bins
Stackable bins are one of the best toy organizer options available.
They are perfect for not only storage but also rotating toys and keeping everything together and organized.
Stackable bins come in all sizes and help you to keep sets together and organized.
Label bins by clearly labeling what is in each bin and how many in a set such as Box 1 of 3 Barbies or Box 1 of 2 Vehicles.
Bins also allow you to organize the toys into individual groups for easy rotation and cleanup.
For example, split the vehicle bins up for each vehicle, like one bin just for Matchbox Cars—perfect for using or building race tracks.
The best way to turn a chest into a toy organizer is to place small storage bins with lids inside a toy box or chest.
Great toy storage for closets and the best toy organizer for storing and organizing toy rotations.
Nursery Book and Toy Storage Ideas for Small Rooms
A storage piece that can hold both books and toys is invaluable in a small space.
Having books at eye and hand level encourages children to read or, at the very least, sit down for a few moments and look at pictures.
For small children like babies and toddlers, having shelves, low cabinets, or wall-mounted storage with nursery books and toys within reach encourages independent play and provides them with choices.
Plus, books always look good in a living room.
Create a library area with picture shelves and book bins.
Kids’ bookcases are perfect for nursery book and toy storage, as they face out, making it easier for small children to choose their favorite book.
Acrylic picture shelves give the illusion of the book floating and create a seamless display.
Storing Toys with Built-In Storage Benches
Creating a built-in bench in a playroom, nook, or corner of the living room adds storage and a cozy, comfortable place to sit.
Perfect for corners or any spare space, they act as low toy storage as well as seating
Creating benches perfect for your space is simple and easy with IKEA hacks or by building your own. Alternatively, a day bed with storage underneath will make a similar look.
Create a corner nook seating with toy storage, with low drawers and cushions.
A bench can act as more than just extra seating; it also provides extra storage space.
This piece from Ikea is considered one of the best toy organizers for low toy storage, offering a stylish yet practical solution.
Over-Door Organizers for Lightweight Toys
Take advantage of closets and doors by using over-the-door organizers.
A great way to keep small pieces, costumes, and craft supplies out of the way and out of view.
Over-door organizers come in different lengths and styles like clear plastic for easy visibility, rack of baskets and hooks perfect for backpacks and costumes.
Over-the-door basket organizers are perfect for nursery book and toy storage.
A shoe organizer is the perfect way to store soft toys.
DIY Solutions for Storing Toys in Small Spaces
Diy and thrifted repurposed items are terrific ideas that are not only simple and aesthetically pleasing but also budget-friendly.
For example, an old storage chest can be repurposed as a toy storage, while old wine crates are perfect under the couch or bed storage but also look terrific lined up against a wall.
Diy a playmat bag, these are perfect for small toys like Lego.
They are simple to sew and easy to store.
Clarks Condensed has a great step-by-step guide.
Old wine or fruit crates make the perfect vintage-style toy boxes.
Smart Toy Storage for a Tidy, Happy Home
Keeping toys organized doesn’t have to be a never-ending battle. With the right storage solutions—whether it’s labeled bins, under-bed organizers, or multi-functional furniture—you can transform chaos into calm. The key is finding a system that works for your space and your family’s needs.
Now that you’ve tackled toy clutter, why stop there? Take your home organization to the next level with my post: Declutter Your Home: Simple Strategies for New Year Clean-Up. It’s packed with easy, actionable tips to refresh your space and start the year with less stress.
Loved these ideas? Share this post with fellow parents or friends who could use a little organization inspiration—because a clutter-free home is a happier home.
What’s your favorite toy storage hack? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what works for you!