How to create a toy storage system for a more organised home

How to create a toy storage system for a more organised home

Toys, toys… everywhere! They seem to multiply overnight, don’t they? One minute the living room is clear, and the next, it’s a Lego obstacle course with stuffed animals cheering from the sidelines. A messy play space doesn’t just look chaotic – it can also be stressful for you and challenging for your little ones to find their favourite toys.

The solution? A clever toy storage system that’s as practical as it is stylish. Whether you’re a fan of sleek minimalism or you like injecting personality into your spaces, here’s a guide to creating an organised, child-friendly system that fits perfectly with your home (and keeps your sanity intact).

Start fresh

Before you can organise, you need to declutter. This step may feel like a daunting task, but a fresh start will make a huge difference. Begin by gathering all the toys into one large pile (brace yourself). Go through every item and sort them into three categories:

  1. Keep: These are the toys your children still love and play with regularly.
  2. Donate: Toys in good condition that no longer spark joy can find a new home where they’ll be treasured.
  3. Dispose: Broken toys, missing puzzle pieces or items that can’t be donated should be responsibly discarded.

Once that’s done, take a deep breath and be proud – things are about to get easier (and tidier!) from here.

Group similar items together

Now that you’ve trimmed the collection, sort the toys you’re keeping into categories. Grouping similar items together is the key to an organised storage system. Consider categories like:

  • Building blocks (Lego, Duplo, wooden blocks)
  • Arts and crafts supplies (crayons, paints, stickers)
  • Soft toys and dolls
  • Vehicles (cars, trains, planes)
  • Puzzles and board games

Having defined categories will help you figure out what sort of storage solutions you’ll need. Plus, when toys are organised this way, it’s easier for your children to find (and put away!) what they want.

Create play zones

If you have the space, divide the play area into functional zones. Each zone can focus on a specific type of play or activity, making it easier for kids to stay engaged and tidy up when they’re done. For example:

  • A reading nook with comfy cushions and a book caddy
  • An arts and crafts station with a small table and storage for supplies
  • A construction corner with bins for bricks and building sets
  • A pretend play area with dress-up costumes or play kitchens

Zones make the space feel intentional and organised, even during the chaos of playtime.

Make accessibility a priority

Your storage system should work for your children – not against them. If they can’t easily access their toys (or reach the shelves), they’re more likely to dump everything out or rely on you to get what they need. Aim for child-friendly organisation by:

  • Using open bins or baskets that they can easily peer into
  • Keeping frequently used toys at their eye level
  • Opting for lightweight storage containers they can carry or push around

The easier it is for them to take a toy out and put it back, the more likely they are to stay tidy on their own (well, fingers crossed!).

Storage solutions that work

Now onto the fun bit – choosing the RIGHT storage solutions that make tidying up a breeze. Here are a few tried-and-tested ideas:

1. Shelving units

Invest in a sturdy shelving unit with multiple compartments. Open, cube-style shelves are ideal for displaying toys while keeping them accessible. Pair the shelves with labelled baskets for smaller toys – it keeps them organised without sacrificing aesthetics.

2. Stackable bins

Clear, stackable bins are great for categories like Lego or craft supplies. Being able to see what’s inside means no more rummaging around creating unnecessary messes.

3. Storage ottoman

A dual-purpose storage ottoman is a lifesaver – especially in a smaller home. It provides a spot for tucking away toys and serves as extra seating.

4. Toy chests and trunks

Classic but effective, toy chests are perfect for bulky items like stuffed animals or larger toys. Just make sure the lid has a safety hinge to protect little fingers!

5. Peg boards

If your child loves pretend play or dress-up, peg boards can organise their props and costumes brilliantly. It’s also a neat way to store items like chunky puzzles or small buckets for crayons.

Get creative with labels

Labelling your containers is a must for long-term organisation. You can go the text route, but adding picture labels (e.g., a photo of a train on the “train” basket) is super helpful for younger children – it can even help them learn to read. Labelling boosts organisation for everyone and makes tidying up simple and stress-free.

Rotate and edit

Children’s interests change quickly – one week it’s dinosaurs and the next, they’re artists in the making. To avoid toys accumulating (again), consider rotating their toys every few months. Store less-used items away in a separate box, then reintroduce them later. This keeps things feeling fresh without adding extra clutter.

Also, build in time every quarter to edit down their collection – tastes evolve as they grow, and it’s a good opportunity to catch items they’ve outgrown or lost interest in.

Organised play, happy home

At the end of the day, a toy storage system isn’t just about organisation – it’s about creating a space where your children can play, learn and explore freely, without leaving you feeling overwhelmed by the mess.

Remember, a toy storage system that’s flexible, accessible and aesthetically aligned to your home will make tidying up easier for everyone. And don’t forget to get the kids involved – tidiness is a team effort, after all.

Are you inspired to tame the toy chaos? Start implementing some of these strategies today and reclaim your home from the toy tornado. You’ve got this!

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Maximising space in your child’s bedroom

Maximising space in your child's bedroom

One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to use the bedroom space for your child in the right way. You want to be able to maximise the space and use their closets and floor as much as possible, however, creating extra space means getting creative. They don’t have to have a beautifully giant bedroom to be functional, but you do have to think about how to accommodate their things, their needs, and their potential for overnight guests. So, let’s have a closer look at how you can maximise space in your child’s bedroom.

  1. Be clever with the furniture you choose. Storage beds are one of the biggest game changers for your child’s bedroom if you’re looking for extra space. High sleepers, for example, are a great space saver because everything is built beneath them, and you can stow away quite a lot! You can put a desk, toy storage and more under a high sleeper bed, and you can organise a LOT under them if you’re smart about how things are done.
  2. Hang some bed curtains. A great way to hide extra clutter is with bed curtains. You don’t have to worry about clutter if you can’t see it, and it’s a stylish solution in the bedroom that can be done to match the rest of the bedroom theme. It’s a great way to create a whimsical play space, too, as it can be used for imaginary forts, castles and more. When their friends come around for a play date, they have a ready-made play area for fun together.
  3. Go multifunctional with your furniture. It’s important to choose furniture that serves multiple purposes, and multifunctional furniture can do just that. You can get smart with loft beds, as we’ve mentioned, but what about a pull-out desk that sits against the wall when it’s not in use? What about space-saving toy storage? You need to use your space effectively, and multifunctional furniture can give you that two in one solution that can be a game changer. There are so many options that will ensure that your kid’s bedroom is the one that stands out.
  4. Go for height. A tall dresser is a great idea for your kids if you’re looking to save space. Going vertical and focusing on height with your furniture helps you to use the wall space rather than just the floor. You don’t want to have to sacrifice precious floor space when you can use wall and ceiling space instead. You need a good solution for stashing toys and clothing, and a tall dresser will help!
  5. Attach a bedside shelf. A bedside tray or shelf is a great addition to their bedroom without taking up too much space. Shelves attached to the wall don’t take up floor space, either, and your child can still use it without tripping over it at night! The best part is that if you decide to get a high sleeper bed, your child still gets a bedside table – it’s just a floating one. Top bunks can still benefit from having a floating shelf next to them, and that means that you’re going to save a lot of space and not have to worry about spending our money on a full bedside table.
  6. Make use of corners. Corners of the bedroom are usually overlooked, but these can be the treasure troves of space that you’re looking for. Corner shelving units, corner teddy hammocks and even a corner desk with shelves could help to add some storage space to the room. Remember, with the smaller bedroom and even with normal-sized bedrooms, space savings should be your priority. Using every inch of space properly can ensure that your child’s bedroom is maximised.
  7. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour. Sometimes you need the illusion of space to make it really work, and you can play around with colour in your child’s bedroom and maximise space by using a lighter colour palette. You can also use a lighter colour palette on furniture, the walls, the carpets and more. The light of the bedroom, the more spacious it looks, so you have that illusion of space because it’s lighter.

Be clever with your furniture and be intentional with your bedroom strategy to ensure that your child’s bedroom is a haven for them. They’ll still be able to play and store their toys, they’ll just be able to do it in a way where everything is tidy for a change.

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Get their look: Elliott’s room

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Esther Rose Byrne (@rose_iris)

Every so often, a child’s bedroom catches my eye on Instagram, and Elliott’s room is just such a space. Elliott seems like your typical little boy; a fan of dinosaurs, bugs, cars and superheroes.

There are so many interesting corners in this bedroom, with lots of items catching your eye. On one side, the colourful painted patterns on the walls, on another the bookshelves with titles by classic children’s authors & illustrators such as Jan Pieńkowski and Maurice Sendak.

The bright yellow armchair in the sunny bay window looks a great spot for curling up with a Boy’s Own adventure story!

Get their look

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‘hello’ wooden wall art
‘hello’ wooden wall art
Beetle figures
Beetle figures
STRANDMON wing chair
STRANDMON wing chair
DUKTIG Play kitchen
DUKTIG Play kitchen
Fisola cushion
Fisola cushion
Velvet lion cushion
Velvet lion cushion
Dinosaur patterned duvet set
Dinosaur patterned duvet set
Athenes bed
Athenes bed
‘hello’ wooden wall art
‘hello’ wooden wall art
Beetle figures
Beetle figures
STRANDMON wing chair
STRANDMON wing chair
DUKTIG Play kitchen
DUKTIG Play kitchen
Fisola cushion
Fisola cushion
Velvet lion cushion
Velvet lion cushion
Dinosaur patterned duvet set
Dinosaur patterned duvet set
Athenes bed
Athenes bed

Top five reasons to invest in bunk beds

Top five reasons to invest in bunk bedscredit

If you’ve decided to give your child’s room a makeover, you may be considering upgrading their bed and buying them bunk beds. These make a great feature for a kid’s bedroom and they’ll get a lot of enjoyment out of them. Here are the top five reasons to invest in bunk beds.

Baby bunk bed illustration

They’re fun

Your kids will love sleeping up high – from climbing the ladder at bedtime to being able to see their room from a different angle. All kids love the idea of bunk beds and they’ll be the envy of all their friends if they have them.

Yellow bunk beds

They’re great for sleepovers

If your kids have reached the age where they want to invite their friends over for sleepovers, bunk beds make a great sleepover solution. You don’t have to produce camp beds that are difficult to store or have only floor space to offer. Double or even triple bunk beds are a great place to tell ghost stories and participate in midnight feasts. These are some of the things that make childhoods special.

Bunk bed illustration

They create more play space

A bottom bunk makes a great play space. It can be used to store dolls and teddies when not being used as a bed. They can even arrange the duvets easily to make a camp or a great place to curl up with a book. If your child has a small room, they may not have a lot of floor space on which to play. After all, a single bed takes up a lot of room. However, one of the benefits of bunk beds is that it will give them back the space they’ll lose with a single bed in a fun and exciting way. BedKingdom.co.uk offers a range of bunk beds to make your kids’ room look fantastic and keep them comfortable all night long. If you’re looking for a high sleeper, you’ll find those at BedKingdom too.

Cartoon bunk beds

They provide private space in a shared room

If your kids share a room, it can be difficult for them to find a space that’s theirs alone. Bunk beds create this as the bed area gives them a space that’s just for them. They can put their favourite toys on the bed and have their favourite pictures next to them on the wall. This will be a great place for them to relax and unwind and it saves having to put two separate beds in the room, which may be difficult.

Bunk bed illustration

They’re easy to separate

Bunk beds can be separated easily into single beds or even pushed together to form a double bed. This can be useful if you have adult guests to stay and your child’s bedroom needs to be utilised as a guest room. Once your kids are older, they may not want to sleep in a single bed any more. However, by separating the beds, your older child can have a single or double bed of their own without you having to go to the expense of buying a new bed for their room.

These are five great reasons to consider investing in bunk beds if you’ve decided to upgrade your children’s sleeping arrangements.

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