Having toys scattered across your living room can be overwhelming and make your space feel chaotic. But with some smart living room toy storage ideas and solutions and toy organization strategies, you can create a harmonious space that works for both adults and kids.
I’ve analyzed real parents’ experiences (shared on Reddit) to bring you proven storage ideas that actually work in everyday life.
Here are the most recommended storage solutions that balance functionality and aesthetics for living room toy storage.
Most Frequently Recommended Systems
1. IKEA Kallax Cube Storage
- Repeatedly mentioned as the top choice
- Very versatile with multiple insert options
- Can act as a room divider
- Available in different sizes and finishes
- Can be horizontal or vertical
The IKEA Kallax cube storage system is a brilliant solution for keeping toys organized in your living room without compromising on style. With its customizable inserts like drawers, bins, and doors, you can easily hide away toy clutter while keeping everything accessible.
Available in various sizes, from 2×2 to 5×5 configurations, and multiple finishes, the Kallax can double as a room divider to create a designated play area. Its versatility means it fits perfectly in any space and effortlessly matches existing decor.
Plus, the option to position it horizontally or vertically gives you even more flexibility in your living space.
2. Storage Bins & Baskets
Storage bins and baskets are lifesavers when it comes to keeping toys contained in your living room while maintaining a stylish look.
Fabric Storage Cubes
- Fit in cube shelving units
- Available in many colors to match decor
- Soft and safe for kids
- Easy for children to access and use
Fabric storage cubes are especially perfect – they fit neatly into cube shelving units and come in countless colors to match your decor scheme.
Soft fabric cubes are not only safe for kids but make it super easy for them to access their toys independently. They can pull out what they want to play with and (hopefully!) put things away themselves, making cleanup time less of a hassle for everyone.
Decorative Woven Baskets
- More aesthetically pleasing than plastic
- Good for quick cleanup
- Can double as decor
- Good for larger toys
For a more elevated look, decorative woven baskets are the way to go. They’re way prettier than plastic bins and perfect for quick toy sweeps before guests arrive.
These baskets double as decor pieces when they’re not storing toys, adding natural texture and warmth to your living space while corralling larger toys.
3. Functional Furniture
Functional furniture pieces are the ultimate game-changers when you want to sneak toy storage into your living room without it looking like a playroom.
Storage Ottomans
- Dual purpose – seating and storage
- Hidden storage keeps toys out of sight
- Available in many styles and fabrics
- Good for larger toys or quick cleanup
Storage ottomans are especially brilliant – they provide comfy extra seating while hiding away toys, and you can find them in endless styles to match your decor.
Coffee Tables with Storage
- Built-in compartments
- Hidden storage
- Maintains adult aesthetic
- Good for frequently used toys
Coffee tables with hidden storage compartments are another genius solution that keeps your living room looking grown-up. These clever pieces let you stash away the toys your kids reach for most often.
The beauty of these dual-purpose pieces is that they blend seamlessly into your adult living space while secretly moonlighting as toy storage.
4. Wall-Mounted Solutions
Wall-mounted storage solutions are absolute lifesavers when you want to maximize your living room space and keep toys from taking over the floor.
Floating Shelves
- Maximize vertical space
- Keep toys off floor
- Can display nicer looking toys as decor
- Good for books and smaller items
Floating shelves are particularly fantastic – they make use of vertical space while creating an opportunity to display prettier toys and books as part of your decor.
Pegboard Systems
- Customizable configuration
- Can grow with changing needs
- Good for art supplies and smaller toys
- Easy to reorganize
Pegboard systems are another brilliant wall-mounted option that offers incredible flexibility. You can easily customize the layout with different hooks, bins, and shelves to create the perfect storage solution for everything from art supplies to smaller toys.
Start with a few floating shelves for baby books and wooden toys, then expand your pegboard system as your child’s collection grows. Plus, keeping toys up on the wall makes cleanup faster and creates more floor space for actual playing!
5. Behind-Door Solutions
Over-door Organizers
- Utilizes otherwise unused space
- Good for small items
- Can be hidden when door is open
- Multiple pocket sizes
Over-door organizers are the unsung heroes of toy storage, making brilliant use of that often-forgotten space behind your living room door. With multiple pocket sizes, these handy organizers can hold an impressive amount of smaller toys while staying completely hidden when the door is open.
What makes these organizers especially great is how they keep small toys like cars, action figures, and art supplies neatly contained and easily accessible. Kids can quickly find what they’re looking for without dumping everything out, and cleanup becomes so much simpler!
Specific Product Recommendations
IKEA Trofast System
- Plastic bins that slide out
- Easy for kids to access
- Good for toy categorization
- Removable bins for cleanup
The IKEA Trofast system is a superhero of toy storage with its brilliant slide-out bins that make organizing and accessing toys a breeze.
The removable plastic bins are perfect for sorting toys by category, and they’re lightweight enough that even little ones can pull them out and (hopefully!) put them back independently.
The Trofast is basically a parent’s best friend when it comes to teaching kids to stay organized. Each bin can have its own toy category – blocks in one, cars in another, art supplies in a third – making it super easy for children to know where everything belongs.
Clear Stackable Bins
- Visual access to contents
- Easy to stack and store
- Good for rotating toys
- Helps with organization
Clear stackable bins are a brilliant solution for keeping toys organized while still being able to see exactly what’s inside. They’re perfect for parents who want to easily spot specific toys without having to dig through multiple containers, and kids can actually see what they’re looking for!
These bins are incredibly practical because they stack neatly on top of each other, making the most of vertical storage space in your living room. Plus, their stackable nature makes them ideal for implementing toy rotation – just swap out the bins to keep playtime fresh and exciting.
The transparency of these bins isn’t just about convenience – it’s a game-changer for organization. You can quickly spot when it’s time to declutter, see which toys aren’t being played with, and maintain better order in your living space. And let’s be honest, being able to find that one specific toy your child is asking for without emptying every container is pretty much priceless!
Target Room Essentials Bins
- Affordable fabric bins
- Multiple colors available
- Durable for daily use
- Fit standard cube shelving
Target’s Room Essentials storage bins are a total game-changer when you need affordable, reliable toy storage that doesn’t look cheap. These fabric bins come in lots of great colors to match your living room decor, and they fit perfectly into standard cube shelving units like the IKEA Kallax.
Small Storage Bins With Lids
Organization Tips
1. Label everything clearly
Visual cues eliminate decision paralysis and make it instantly clear where items belong, reducing the mental load of organization for both parents and children.
2. Use consistent systems
Consistency creates habits and muscle memory, making organization automatic rather than requiring conscious decision-making each time.
3. Keep similar items together
Grouping similar items prevents scattered searches and makes it obvious when pieces are missing, while also making it easier to find what’s needed.
4. Rotate toys regularly
Rotation prevents overwhelm, maintains novelty, and makes toys feel fresh and exciting while keeping the total volume manageable.
5. Maintain a regular decluttering schedule
Regular maintenance prevents overwhelming accumulation and makes the task manageable in small chunks rather than becoming a massive project.
6. Consider seasonal storage
Seasonal rotation reduces active storage needs while ensuring appropriate toys are available when needed, preventing overcrowding of daily storage spaces.
7. Create zones for different types of toys
Zones create natural boundaries for activities, make cleanup more intuitive, and help children understand where different activities should take place.
8. Make cleanup easy for Kids
When kids can successfully clean up independently, they develop responsibility and are more likely to maintain toy organization systems without constant parent intervention.
Final Thoughts
Organizing a living room toy storage system requires some initial planning but pays off with a more peaceful, functional space.
The key is finding solutions that work for your specific space and family needs while being easy to maintain.
Remember to involve kids in the organization process and regularly assess and adjust your system.
Last Updated on November 20, 2024 by Tania Nizova | Published: November 20, 2024
Mom of 3-year-old superhero Michael and 7-year-old princess Stasia. 👩👧👦
Passionate about research and getting to the core, enjoying processing information & always hungry for more. 📖
Learning & sharing how to be a better mom. Join me, and let’s grow together! 🌼