17 Of The Best Toy Storage Products And Organizers

When it comes to storage options for toddlers and toddlers, Millen is a staunch believer in plastic boxes. “We don’t put lids on anything we want the kids to interact with, because if they have a physical barrier between them and the house for something, you can also put a brick wall in there. They won’t go through the lid to put things away,” he says. Instead, he recommends using uniform, clear plastic tubs so kids can easily see what’s inside.

When Indiana-based interior designer Kara Greider deals with children’s spaces, she enjoys the designs. “Kids want to be in places that make them happy,” she says. “So adding cheerful wallpaper, painted murals, hanging handmade artwork, or creating storage solutions with items not normally used for storage is the way to go.” For example, a designer hangs handbags on the wall for a space for girls to put small portable toys in or uses a magnetic knife strip to secure racing cars to the wall. Stretched boards and cork are another favorite that can hold lighter items and can be draped or painted to match the look of the space. “The more vertical storage, the better because it gives kids more floor space to roam and play,” she says.

After a round of game editing, the Home Sort sisters sort and rank the remaining items and create a system the kids can follow. One of the tools that help them in this process are the transparent boxes. They love mDesign containers – which come with pre-made labels! – To hold Legos, mini toys, slime and Play-Doh.

Jessica Davis, owner and principal designer of JL Design in Nashville, TN says the Bratton Toy Organizer from Mack & Milo is a must-have for the playroom. The piece includes 12 storage baskets that are positioned at an angle and make seeing, catching and putting toys away.

When it comes to Legos (one of the most annoying games to organize), Davis goes straight to the source. The brand’s Lego Storage Brick Drawer has two spacious compartments for all those small parts or any really toy or office supplies. The box, designed like the iconic Lego bricks, features eight oversized screws that attach to additional brick drawers when you run out of space—which is often the case if you have a Lego fanatic. The fun design also comes in a variety of bold colors.

In small spaces, multi-purpose items are a must. Eddie Maestri, architect and creative director of Maestri Studio in Dallas, loves storage beds for a kids room. In fact, he used the West Elm Mid-Century Side Storage Bed, with cubbyholes and built-in shelves, for his son’s room. “It’s perfect for a smaller space and allows him to display his Pez and books collection and still have room for a bedside lamp,” he says. Another bonus: the side mode allows for more ground real estate to be played.

Interior designer Casey DeBois of New York-based DeBois Design follows the Montessori system of everything has its place, which she believes also helps kids clean up and put things back where they’re meant to be. “The more systems there are, the easier it is for everyone to follow,” she says. To bring art supplies, she loves a rolling cart. “It keeps everything contained, you can easily see your supplies, and it’s portable.” Hey, you never know where inspiration will come from.

Pushing items into the closet is one way to hide clutter, but retrieving said items, such as balls, board games, and toys—especially when they’re stuck in a back corner—can be a pain. Enter: a toy box on wheels. “It can be quickly thrown out to play with the items stored inside and then just as easily returned to the locker when playtime is over,” says Dubois.

When designing a kid’s space, the Decorist in Australia Designer, Belinda Nihill loves to add a large basket or two. “I love these because they catch soft toys or use them as a soiled clothing item,” she says of cute Bunny Williams nesting baskets. The scalloped lining adds a whimsical touch to the room and keeps kids safe from rough surfaces.

“You don’t need a lot of furniture to keep things organized in the kids’ space,” says Idaho-based interior designer Michaela Keating. Her tip: Keep the pieces minimal and the room layout simple to make more room for play. One of your favorite pieces of furniture including a cubby style shelf. Just add the soft boxes with easy-to-grip handles, and you’ve got the perfect game solution.

Want to win for your child’s room? “Combine play and storage to make things multifunctional,” says Keating. She loves to use this dollhouse style bookcase, which not only serves as a lovely dwelling for Barbies but is also a surface for holding other toys.

Books can accumulate quickly. “Make a place for them that’s easy for your child to pick out a book without having to take it all out,” says Keating. She loves the Ameriwood Home’s oak system that combines a bookcase and toy storage underneath. Bonus: The books themselves act as a decorative focal point.

Dallas-based interior designer Shelley Rosenberg agrees. “Children become 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,” she says. Another tip: When we organize books in a rainbow arrangement on a traditional shelf, Rosenberg says, we teach children colors, sorting, and sequencing. “The latter is an important component of reading and problem-solving skills,” she says.

“When it comes to baby storage, the most important thing is to keep it simple and at eye level,” says Hudson, New York-based interior designer Nicole Fisher of BNR Interiors. She likes to keep baskets and books on low shelves so they can easily reach them. This elegant Montessori-style play rack is made of birch wood and comes with two wooden trays and storage boxes for added organization. Plus, the ample storage hidden in the back allows the toy to be easily rotated.

“We love the open shelves along with the cabinets to display toys and signature books for a playful, playful vibe, as well as storing the rest so it doesn’t get too busy,” says Havenley lead designer, Kelsey Fisher. One closet the brand particularly loves is the Pottery Barn Kids Cameron Wall System. “It allows you to mix and match pieces to best serve your space and storage needs,” she says.

“To maximize storage space within a nursery, choose taller storage pieces,” says Havenly Design Editor Heather Goerzen. Her Design Tip: Whether you want a single unit or an assembled series, add baskets to smaller items, and treat toys and books like playable design decor and rearrangement. The tall shelf on her wish list is Lianne Ford’s Dolly Bookcase. “This modern bookcase features natural wood and a contemporary curved shape,” says Jorzin. “It transforms ‘storage’ into effortlessly chic and adorable little vignettes. I want one.”

“Whether, what Lining the walls or placing them at the end of the bed, the fabric in the benches is a great way to add extra storage in addition to the seating,” says Jorzen. “These can double as book nooks, escape plots and other creative spaces for play and imagination.”

At the end of the day, don’t beat yourself up if the place isn’t the same anymore. “Not all of us have the energy or mood to micro-systems, but you can still eliminate visual clutter,” Rosenberg says. Her tip: Buy baskets or laundry baskets to toss all the toys in each day to give your family a visually calm living room or playroom before bed.