Stylish Toy Storage Solutions: A Designer’s Guide

Discover simple, stylish toy storage solutions from a mom-designer. Baskets, bins & smart habits to tame toy chaos—create calm today!

Where Do All the Toys Go? A Designer’s Take on Stylish, SanitY Saving Storage for Kids

As a busy mom and interior designer, I’ve seen firsthand how stylish toy storage solutions can transform a home from chaotic to calm. I get it—little hands collect big piles of plastic, and at the end of the day, you just want your living room back!

Why Designated toy Storage Matters

As a designer—and a parent—I hear the same concern from so many clients and friends: We love our kids, but what do we do with all their stuff?

Children are wonderful, imaginative, creative… and often come with a whirlwind of brightly colored plastic that never seems to sit quietly in a corner. Many parents crave a sense of calm in their homes, especially after bedtime, but the “visual noise” of scattered toys can make it feel impossible.

Here’s the truth: if you don’t want to see all your kids’ toys, there absolutely must be a designated space for them. That doesn’t mean you need a giant playroom or fancy custom cabinets. It starts with one simple, beautiful solution: baskets.

Baskets: The Real Stylish MVP

Baskets are your best friend. Big ones, small ones, open or lidded—there’s a basket for every need. I love finding vintage ones at antique stores (especially the kind with lids), but I also use plenty from Target or Amazon. Place a few baskets in a corner of the living room, under a console, or next to a couch. Fill them with toys and voilà—the clutter is contained, and your space still feels put together.

In playrooms, baskets are non-negotiable. In kids’ bedrooms, they’re lifesavers—especially under the bed. I tell my boys: if it’s under the bed, it has to be in a basket. The baskets may be overflowing, but there are no loose toys floating around under there.

Containing the Chaos with Bins & Bags

For smaller items like Magnatiles, LEGOs, puzzles, or little treasures, I use silicone zipper bags (Target and Amazon both have great options). Then guess where those bags go? Yup—into baskets. It’s all about layers of containment.

Another tip: rethink your furniture. An old dresser doesn’t have to hold clothes—it can hold board games and puzzles. Ours sits in the entryway and no one would ever guess it’s secretly full of kids’ stuff.

Setting Limits (and teaching habits)

Here’s the big rule in our house: once every basket, bin, or drawer is full, that’s it—no new toys unless something goes. My boys know that if something doesn’t fit, it’s time to donate to a friend. We do a big basket purge before birthdays and holidays to make space for new things. It teaches them to value what they keep and that there is such a thing as “too much stuff.”

Real Life Isn’t Always Instagram-Ready

Let’s be honest—there are definitely days when the system falls apart. Toys overflow. Things don’t get put away. But most of the time, these small habits work. They give our home some breathing room and help our kids learn how to take care of their things.

If your kids are in the middle of building a LEGO city or making a fort—let them leave it out! In our house, weekends are free play zones, and Sunday night is our big clean-up. We even have a designated LEGO space—three small tables full of tiny bricks and, you guessed it, baskets underneath.

Final Thoughts

Designing a home for real family life doesn’t mean giving up beauty or peace. With a few simple systems—and lots of baskets—you can create spaces that work for everyone. Yes, even the kids.