How to Organize Toys in Living Room – 20+ Tips and Tricks
Meet the Author and Your Future Designer: Julio Arco is a passionate architect with years of experience in architecture, interior design, urban design, and housing. He studied at prestigious universities across North America and Europe.
If you’re looking to Organize Toys in Your Living Room, hire me or my colleagues to help you. Our collaboration will be a seamless online process, from idea boards to detailed layouts, renderings, and a curated shopping list. Click here to learn more and work with me with 25% off! Learn more About Me, or visit my Portfolio.
Toy Organized Living Room – Introduction Video
If you’re like me, your living room is constantly cluttered with toys. It seems like every time I turn around; there’s another toy taking up space on the coffee table or couch. And trying to watch TV or have a conversation with someone when there are toys everywhere is nearly impossible.
Luckily, some simple tricks for organizing toys can help clear up some space in your living room. In this blog post, I’m going to share four of my favorite tips for organizing toys. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your living room again without all of the clutter!
Before going into how to store toys in the living room, here are my 5 top recommendations for arranging toys in the living room and restoring some sanity to your life.
1.- Get Rid of Unused Toys
When you have a tiny space to organize toys, like the corner of your living room, you have to get adept at decluttering toys. This entails frequently sifting through the toys and passing along those who no longer get much play.
After you sift through and sort, here’s what to do with outdated toys. You can:
- 1. Sell them online via yard sale groups, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari.
- 2. Donate them to Goodwill or another thrift store.
- 3. Give them away to a younger sibling or family member, neighbor kid, or your child’s best friend.
- 4. Repurpose them into art supplies (markers in recycling bin?) or DIY projects (old baby doll = new planter?).
- 5. Trash them if they’re broken beyond repair or you can’t think of another way to use them.
Selling, donating, or giving away old toys is usually the best bet because someone else may be able to get more enjoyment out of them. But don’t feel bad about trashing them if necessary – it’s just stuff! The key is to keep decluttering toys so that your living space remains uncluttered and organized.
2.- Be conscious of New Toys
Children love getting new toys, but sometimes it can feel like they have more toys than they know what to do with. Too many toys can create clutter and make it difficult for children to find the items they want to play with.
That’s why it’s important to be mindful of the toys that come into your home. Only buy what will fit in the space you have, and encourage friends and relatives to do the same. This will help to keep your home clutter-free and your children happy.
3.- Set up some ground guidelines.
In order to make toys easy to clean up, it is best to take fewer toys out in the first place. Set some ground rules with your kids: “kids can take out one container at a time, and they need to clean up before taking out the next one.”
Another rule could be “all the toys get cleaned up before dinner.” This will help establish consistency and assist children in remembering the rules for the first few months. Enforcing these ground rules will help make cleaning up much easier in the long run.
4.- Teach your kids how to tidy up independently.
As any parent knows, a messy house can quickly turn into pure chaos. That’s why teaching your kids how to tidy up independently is important. Of course, this is easier said than done. Children are notoriously stubborn and seem to have a built-in resistance to cleaning up their messes.
However, with a little patience and perseverance, you can turn even the messiest room into a clean and orderly space. The key is to start early and be consistent. Show your children how to put away their toys and help them tidy up on a regular basis. Soon enough, they’ll be able to do it on their own. And, who knows, maybe one day they’ll even thank you for it!
5.- Give yourself Some Credit
Give Yourself Some Credit Instead of beating yourself up for the 10% of toys that are still out of place, give yourself some credit for the 90% of toys that are put away. The purpose of organizing toys in the living room is not for it to look like kids never lived there.
The idea is to honor your aspirations of a quiet space to rest at the end of a hard day…while simultaneously honoring your kids’ wishes to have lovely, organized living quarters.
So, if you’re able to find a balance between the two, then congratulations! You’re doing an amazing job! Keep up the good work!
Ways to Hide Toys in the Living Room – Storage Ideas
Here, we’ve compiled our favorite ways to store toys in the living room -design-forward and practical. These living room toy storage ideas will help you get the toys organized and eliminate visual clutter in the living room.
1.- Use your Coat Closet to store your Kids’ Toys
At first glance, the coat closet might not seem like the ideal spot for toy storage. However, with a little creative thinking, this space can be transformed into a convenient and out-of-the-way place to keep toys. By placing a few baskets or totes inside the coat closet, you can hide and tidy away toys when they aren’t in use.
This is a great way to keep the living room tidy and free from clutter. And when the kids want to play with their toys, they can simply open the door and take out what they need. Best of all, this storage solution is both practical and stylish.
2.- Choose a Coffee Table with Storage for your Living Room
Adding a coffee table with hidden toy storage to your living room allows you to make the most of your space, keep toys organized, and put them away when playtime is over. This type of coffee table usually has a false top that lifts up, revealing a space for storing toys.
Some models also have additional shelves or drawers for even more storage. Not only will this furniture piece help you keep your living room tidy, but it can also serve as a stylish focal point. When choosing a coffee table with hidden toy storage, make sure to pick one that fits the overall style and colors of your room. From there, you can start filling it with your child’s favorite toys.
3.- Get a Storage Trunk to Organize Toys
A storage trunk is a great way to keep your living room tidy. You can store all of your little toys in the trunk after playtime, and they will be hidden away. The trunk can also be used as a coffee or end table. You can put a plant on top of the trunk or use it to store books. The possibilities are endless.
4.- Organizing Toys with Baskets in your Living Room
There are many reasons why baskets make ideal toy storage containers. For one, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes with different textures and patterns, so you can easily find one that fits your space. Baskets can also be stacked on top of each other, which is ideal if you have limited floor space.
In addition, baskets are relatively inexpensive and can be easily found at most home goods stores. Plus, they add a touch of style to any room. If you’re looking for a way to organize your living room toys, consider using baskets. With their versatile design and affordable price tag, baskets are a great storage solution for any home.
5.- Room Toy Storage Ottoman
The ottoman is popular for toy storage in the living room because it serves two purposes. First, it provides a comfortable place to sit. Second, it can be used to store toys. Most ottomans have a lid that opens to reveal a storage compartment.
This is the perfect place to keep toys within easy reach but out of sight. When guests come over, simply close the lid and tidy the living room. In addition, ottomans come in a variety of styles, so you can find one that fits your décor.
Whether you want a classic leather ottoman or a colorful fabric, there’s an option for you. So consider adding an ottoman to your living room for both style and function.
6.- Add a Dresser to your Living Room
A dresser in the living room can act as a storage unit to help organize and declutter the space. When it comes to toy storage, a dresser is a great option to keep toys hidden away after playtime. It can also serve as a catch-all for other items like blankets, pillows, or extra throws.
In addition to being functional, a dresser can also add style to your living room. Choose one that fits the space’s overall aesthetic and use it as an opportunity to incorporate additional colors or patterns into the room. With so many different options available, there’s sure to be a dresser that’s perfect for your living room.
7.- Organizing Toys with a Cabinet
Ever heard of the saying “out of sight, out of mind”? Enter the cabinet to help you keep the toy clutter in one place in the living room.
8.- Armoire – Living Room Toy Organizer
An armoire is a perfect solution! Not only will it add a touch of style to your living room, but it will also provide a convenient place to store toys. Plus, you can use the armoire to keep other items organized, like blankets and games.
So if you’re looking for a creative way to keep your living room tidy, consider using an armoire. Your family and guests will be impressed by your stylish storage solution!
9.- Window Seat Toy Storage
A window seat is perfect for hiding away all those living room toys. Not only will it add extra seating to your space, but the built-in storage will keep everything tidy and out of sight. You can use baskets or bins to store toys in the window seat, and they can even double as a coffee table or ottoman when not in use.
And if you want to get really creative, you can add some DIY details like Curtains around the perimeter of the seat or stenciled artwork on the back wall. With a little imagination, a window seat can be a stylish and functional addition to any living room.
10.- Storage Sofa Options
If you’re looking for a stylish and functional sofa, consider one with storage. There are sofas with storage for any size, budget, and style. Especially when space footage is limited- a couch table can double as a toy storage solution.
Place 2-3 lovely baskets beneath to stow away toys. Your kids’ toys deserve better than a mound at the door! Even if you have a small living space, consider acquiring a sofa with storage. There are sofas with storage for any size, budget, and style.
11.- Toy Storage Bench
A storage bench can be a great way to store toys while also providing a place to sit. It can be placed against a wall and used to store items such as stuffed animals, games, and puzzles. The bench can also be used as a seating area for children to read or play games.
A storage bench can be a great addition to any child’s room or playroom. It can provide a place to store toys and also serve as a seat for children. And it can add a touch of style to the room.
12.- Magazine Holder as Toy Storage
Magazine holders are an inexpensive and easy way to organize and store kids’ arts and crafts supplies. By hanging the holders on the wall, you can keep the supplies off the floor and out of reach of younger children.
The holders can also be labeled so that everyone knows where everything is supposed to go. And when the kids are done with their project, they can easily put all the supplies away in the holders. As a result, magazine holders are a great way to keep your living room clean and organized.
13.- Bookshelf Storage Ideas
With these fun and creative bookshelf toy storage ideas, never worry about where your kids’ toys will go again. Use a bookcase to neatly store, arrange, and hide items in the living area. Bins, baskets, and other elegant containers can be used to store toys while keeping the living room looking stylish.
Get creative with color and patterns to make the bookcase toy storage blend in with the rest of the living room decor. This is a great way to make use of an empty corner or wall in the room. This simple yet genius solution will maximize space and keep the living room looking neat and tidy.
14.- Living Room Sideboard, Entertainment Center, or Credenza
One creative solution is to use a sideboard as toy storage in the living room. Sideboards are typically tall and narrow, which makes them perfect for storing bins of toys out of sight. Plus, they tend to have doors or drawers that can be used to keep small items contained.
Best of all, sideboards are attractive furniture pieces that can help tie the room together. So if you’re looking for a way to get the toy clutter under control, consider using a sideboard as living room toy storage.
15.- Toy Storage Hamper
A laundry hamper is a perfect size for storing toys, and it’s easy to move from room to room. Plus, it has a lid that can be used to keep things tidy. This is a great way to maximize storage if you don’t have a lot of space in your home. And, if you have kids, they’ll love being able to help with the laundry. Just make sure to label the hamper, so everyone knows where their toys go.
16.- Toy Rotation
Dividing toys into groups and rotating them is a great way to control toy clutter. This way, you can have fewer toys out at a time, and the kids will be excited to play with a new set of toys every few weeks.
This strategy also helps to keep toys from becoming boring or damaged. Rotating the toys will remain new and exciting for the children. Additionally, this will help to teach children patience and delayed gratification.
They will learn that they cannot always access all of their toys and must wait until the next rotation to play with certain toys. Overall, using a toy rotation system effectively declutters your home and keeps your children entertained.
17.- Always Clean up after Playtime
Your kids may not be happy about it at first, but if you make clean-up time part of the routine after playing, eventually, it will become second nature. Assign specific tasks to each child to make clean-up go faster. For example, one child can be responsible for putting away all the dolls while another collects all the cars. If you have younger children, you may need to be more hands-on initially, but the goal is to get them to the point where they can clean up their own toys independently.
One way to make clean-up time more fun is to turn it into a game. See who can pick up the most toys in a certain amount or put away all their toys the fastest. You can also make a rule that whoever cleans up their toys first gets to choose the next game to play. Whatever method you use, the important thing is to help your children learn the value of picking up after themselves and keeping their living space tidy.
Organize Toys in Living Room – FAQ
How should I organize my living room with toys?
There are various ways that you can organize your living room with toys. Some people prefer to use toy bins or baskets to store their child’s toys. In contrast, others find using a sideboard or entertainment center helpful. It depends on your personal preference and the amount of space available in your living room.
How do you hide big toys in the living room?
If you have big toys that you want to hide in your living room, one option is to use a sideboard or entertainment center. These pieces of furniture are typically tall and narrow, which makes them perfect for storing bins of toys out of sight. Another option is to use a toy storage hamper, which can be easily moved from room to room and has a lid that will help keep things tidy.
What is the best way to store toys in the living room?
The best way to store toys in the living room depends on your personal preference and the amount of space that you have available. Some people prefer to use toy bins or baskets. In contrast, others find using a sideboard or entertainment center helpful.
How do you store a lot of toys?
Some great ideas are to use a toy box: A toy box can be a great way to store a lot of toys. You can find some really great ones that are decorative and will match your living room furniture. Another great option is to use a toy chest: A toy chest is another great option for storing a lot of toys. You can find some that are very decorative and match your living room furniture.
How do you organize a room with too many toys?
Here are 6 tips for organizing your living room and taking control of the toys:
- 1. Get rid of broken toys, duplicate toys, and toys your kids have outgrown.
- 2. Keep only a few toys out at a time, and the rest should be stored away in bins or baskets.
- 3. Label the storage bins, so you and your kids know where everything goes.
- 4. Put all the toys in one place. A toy chest or shelves in the corner of the room work well.
- 5. Use baskets, bins, and other containers to organize smaller toys.
- 6. Encourage your kids to put their toys away when they’re done playing with them.
Hire an Online Interior Designer at Havenly
There are several online interior design websites, but Havenly is your best option to hire from a robust list of interior designers that will help you in decorating and creating the perfect dog-friendly home.
When you sign up for Havenly, you will take a short quiz about your design style and what you are looking for in a designer. Havenly will then match you with a designer who will help you select paint colors, furniture, and accessories that are both stylish and safe for your furry friend.
In addition, your Havenly designer will be able to provide tips on how to create a space that is both comfortable for your dog and inviting for guests. With Havenly, creating a beautiful and functional home that your dog will love is easy and stress-free.
Click here if you want to learn more about Havenly or book an interior designer and get 25% off your design package if you click here!