Toy Storage Ideas

There are many different toy storage items out there; toy boxes and chests; pop-up bins; cabinets and benches; shelving units and more. They can be made from wood, plastic, canvas and other fabrics. They can have fixed shelves, removable bins or be modular. They can take up lots of room, be placed on a wall or be tucked into a corner. They can be economical, expensive or somewhere in between.

Once you know what you can afford, how do you choose what to buy?

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First of all think of the age and temperament of your child, plus any safety issues. Personally, for a toddler's bedroom I wouldn't use anything that hangs, such as a soft toy hammock. I'd be worried they got hold of it - rope or string can be dangerous to a young child. A wooden toy box may not be ideal at this age either if it has a heavy lid - think trapped fingers. Ouch. So make sure it has a slow-closing hinge or a light lid. A light lid also makes it easy for a child to escape if they have gone into the box and the lid has closed on them.

If you have older kids who are boisterous then pop-up bins or plastic boxes are unlikely to survive for long; however it could be argued that it's cheaper to replace them than a quality piece of furniture that the kids have wrecked.

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Next, match the storage you need to the toys you have. A pop-up storage bin won't be much use for toys with edges; soft toys are a better option for that type of unit.
Large toys are easy to get at if they are in a big open toy box, although this can also mean they get dusty.
For small toys, small boxes are best, otherwise it's almost impossible for the child to find what they're looking for. Plus the toys at the bottom simply won't get played with.
If the toy boxes need to be moved regularly, get ones with wheels to make it easier.

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Lastly, take into account the existing room space. There's little point in buying a large toy storage unit if it takes away a chunk of the play area. Corner units are useful if you lack space, as are hanging shelves that can go into a closet or onto the back of a door. Another way to use space wisely is to combine the furniture you need with storage.
If you think you will require more storage in the future then look for a modular system that can be added to.
Wall shelves, while they have less capacity, are good for displaying favorite toys or trinkets.
And don't forget that must have storage item that most children need - a bookcase.

Take your time and do some research before you buy and you'll be able to decide what type of toy storage is right for you, and how much of it you need.

Over the years I've used mainly plastic storage boxes and pop-up bins for my daughter's toys. I found though, that they quickly became damaged. So, I decided to invest in a pine storage unit on wheels which holds six removable colored toy boxes.

And it's proved a worthwhile investment. My daughter has one of those beds on high legs so it fits neatly underneath. As she outgrows her toys I plan to replace the plastic boxes with baskets, more suitable for a teenager. It's well constructed so I'm sure it will last for years to come.

In addition, she has a small shelving unit in one corner of the room, used to display ornaments, a bookcase, a pop-up bin and a couple of plastic boxes on wheels. It's more toys and so storage units than I would prefer, but it will change with time (I hope).