Yahoo Movies 13 best kids toy storage ideas for a tidy playroom
Faced with a mountain of precariously balanced toys in your living room corner? Can’t remember the last time you saw your child’s bedroom floor?
Or perhaps you can – and you’re still nursing a Lego-shaped indent on the sole of your foot to show for it.
Yep, it’s time to invest in some savvy storage solutions.
Efficient organisation is a win-win; when everything has its place, children can take ownership of their own belongings and put them away after playtime, while you won’t have to surrender your home to a seemingly endless barrage of kiddie paraphernalia.
But if you don’t have the space to have a separate playroom (and often, even if you do), it’s inevitable toys, books and games will migrate into your home’s main living space.
This is where stylish, well-designed and practical storage ideas you’ll be happy to have on display are worth their weight in dinosaur figures.
Rigorously tested by an enthusiastic two-year-old and a rather more indifferent nine-year-old, our round-up of innovative ideas are sure to provide storage solutions to cater for all tastes, needs and budgets.
Let the battle against clutter commence…
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
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The Cotswold Company littleton white painted toy box
There are toy boxes – and then there’s this. Beautifully constructed and finished, it arrived fully assembled and is positively cavernous inside (our nine-year-old tester even sat in there, which only proves its storage capacity). Measuring H55 x W85 x D50cm, we managed to fit in an impressive number of toys – with room to spare. We particularly like the hinged, soft-close lid, which means there’s no chance of trapped fingers.
Not the cheapest, granted, but the pleasingly sturdy and timeless design means we’re confident the price tag offers genuine longevity. Once it’s no longer used for toys, it’d work equally well in an entrance hall to double-up as a bench and place to stash shoes. A piece to invest in and enjoy for years to come, it’s our undisputed pick of the bunch.
Buy now £199.00, The Cotswold Company
A Place For Everything kids toy storage chest
Available in a modern star or cute elephant design, it has MDF-enforced sides and a lid (with a Velcro fastening), making it robust enough to withstand a bit of toddler rambunctiousness, but still lightweight – it handily folds back down when not in use.
It’s a decent size (H39 x W62 x D39cm) and we managed to fit in a good deal of toys. We also like that it has handles on the sides, so it can easily be moved around between rooms. A well-priced, practical choice.
Buy now £29.00, A Place for Everything
Great Little Trading co miss cat carry caddy
It’s fair to say our youngest tester was thoroughly smitten with this little caddy. Also available in an equally cute fox design, it arrived flat-packed and took about 20 minutes to assemble. Ideal for smaller items such as cars or figures, it allows little ones to easily carry their belongings from room-to-room (quite frankly, the dream when you’re two-years-old), but we think it would be just as great as an art station for pencils and crayons, and would also make a winning gift.
Buy now £27.00, John Lewis & Partners
Ikea flisat book display
They say never judge a book by its cover – but try telling that to kids. Since they’re usually attracted to books with covers that appeal to them, front-facing displays are a good bet, making this simple offering from Ikea a steal.
We managed to comfortably fit in 12 board books and our two-year-old tester enjoyed making their own choices each day (encouragingly, not just at bedtime either). We rather like it in its current state, but if you’re of a creative mind and handy with a paintbrush, it’s an ideal piece for a little weekend hack project.
Buy now £17.00, Ikea
Djeco house toy box
A brightly coloured, charming toy box from Paris brand Djeco, this has the added bonus of doubling up as a house for role-play (our two-year-old tester thoroughly enjoyed putting her dolls inside). It’s lightweight, folds away when not in use and the lid has a safe, Velcro fastening.
It’s fairly small compared to others we tested, measuring H25 x W38.5 x D40cm, but it held more than we anticipated – ideal as an additional piece of storage rather than the primary one. And at this price, we think it offers good value for a fun, practical item that’s sure to be a hit with little ones.
Buy now £14.75, Crafts 4 Kids
JoJo Maman Bebe white step stool with storage
For our two-year-old tester, who was in the throes of toilet training at the time, this step stool proved rather nifty. Enabling them to reach the toilet and sink (also very handy when toothbrushing), it offered a welcome piece of toddler independence, not to mention added incentive to wash their hands – little ones seem to have quite the penchant for steps.
Only the top step can be used for storage, so you can’t fit in a huge amount, but it’s fine for smaller items like bath toys, pull-ups and wipes. It took about 20 minutes to assemble but it’s worth being mindful of the lid, which can slam shut.
Buy now £29.00, JoJo Maman Bebe
My 1st Years large storage bag
We were thoroughly impressed with this one, not least for the option of embroidered personalisation, included in the price, to give it an extra special touch. The basket is deep and spacious, but folds away easily if need be – though since it’s not a rigid structure, we’d suggest using it for soft toys and squishies (if you know, you know).
Available in a range of lovely designs, including navy stripe and a sweet ditsy print, all My 1st Years products arrive beautifully presented in a gift box, making them perfect presents.
Buy now £40.00, My 1st Years
Play & Go storage bag
Designed to work as both a playmat and storage bag, and available in a plethora of fun prints (we like the best-selling road map design), this was a big hit with both our young testers.
Spread the mat on the floor for playtime, then once you’re done, gather up the toys inside using the drawstring, so it can then be hung up out of sight. Genius, huh? Made from 100 per cent cotton, it feels hard-wearing and durable, and is an incredibly faff-free way to banish clutter quickly.
Buy now £29.00, Kidly
Tellkiddo bear face paper storage bag
If a paper bag can be Insta-famous, this one, from Swedish kids’ interior brand, Tellkiddo, is it. Snapped in only the most stylish of children’s bedrooms, it features a monochrome design complete with smiling bear, and – when arranged into shape – provides surprisingly good toy storage.
Made from 100 per cent recycled paper, it’s reassuringly robust, so no worries about tearing. At 80cm high, it’s probably not one for smaller toys, but we found it worked a treat with larger soft toys and dress-up outfits, and think it would make a chic alternative to a laundry basket.
Buy now £14.22, Tellkiddo
Lego 8 knob storage brick
Effectively, this is a giant piece of Lego to store, well, more Lego. Its long, shallow design allows kids to easily locate the piece they’re looking for, hopefully without upending the lot all over the floor (though we can’t promise that), and they’re stackable, too. Robust and bright (there’s a rainbow of colours to choose from), it can house all manner of bits-and-bobs besides Lego. Our nine-year-old tester highly rated this one.
Buy now £25.72, Amazon
3 Sprouts over-the-door storage hanger
Created by three designer friends who’ve worked for companies including Barneys New York and Kate Spade, 3 Sprouts promises to make “storing unboring”. This clever design, complete with four spacious pockets and two hooks, can be hung on a door or wall to stash away all manner of knick-knacks, from small toys and teddies to clothing and accessories – just the job if you’re squeezed for floor space.
Buy now £19.50, Dotty Hippo
Up! Warsaw dreamy rainbow shelf
This is a truly beautiful piece for a child’s bedroom – oh, and if rainbows aren’t their bag, there are other adorable designs to choose from, including a rocket, TV and circus big top. Handmade in a family-run studio and workshop in Poland, using birch plywood and finished with ecological, water-based paint, the quality and craftsmanship is evident – hence the price-tag.
It doesn’t hold masses, but for some smaller favourite toys, figures and books, and as a whimsical focal point on the wall, we were won over by it.
Buy now £105.00, A Place For Everything
The verdict: Kids' toy storage
We were impressed by all the items we tested, but the storage you go for will depend on a number of factors – not least, your budget. However, if you’re able to invest in one piece to tick all the boxes, and last for years to come, we love the Cotswold Company Littleton white painted toy box. We were also keen on the My 1st Years large storage bag and, to encourage young readers, the Ikea flisat book display is worth every penny.
