Try these 10 smart solutions for storing toys and eliminating clutter in the home
Storing away children's toys is a perpetual challenge. Many parents' lives often seem to be reduced to constantly chasing around and picking up toys scattered throughout the house. But is there a solution for this thankless chore?
Well, there are two important strategies/rules you can use to tackle this issue:
- Keep only those toys that your children actually still play with, throwing away or donating all the rest; in this way, the quantity of toys to "managed" will be reduced and you will have more storage space for the "survivors";
- Divide the toys into categories, so that the children can find them easily.
By following these two simple rules, your domestic life will be much easier to deal with. Below, we expand on this topic by proposing 10 intelligent toy storage solutions.
1. Corner hammock
A corner hammock that you can put up behind a door or above your child's bed, is ideal for storing toys. Hang it up low enough so that your children can put away and take out the toys by themselves: it's fun to use and the kids will learn to pick up after themselves.
2. Modular bookcase
A modular bookcase with cute, animal-decorated drawers will help you store the toys by category and will be fun for the kids to use too.
3. Labeled transparent containers
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Put all the toys into labeled transparent containers - which can then be stored on the shelves of a dedicated toy cabinet or closet.
4. Montessori shelves
For books and small toys, use Montessori-styled shelves mounted low down on the walls: the kids can see what's on the shelves and can easily take down/put back the toys they use.
5. Sliding container drawers
Use a chest of drawers with sliding baskets of different depths to divide up and store the toys: easy to open and close, the baskets can also be labeled to help keep order.
6. Toy baskets
Use toy baskets that are brightly colored and/or are shaped like your children's favorite animals: these baskets can be easily transported from one room to another, making it easier for you and your children to tidy up after playing.
7. Low, open shelves
Low, open shelves are perfect for keeping toys in order and in encouraging kids to put toys back from where they found them.
8. Underbed storage
Use the space under the children's bed to get some extra space by using a drawer mounted on wheels that will fit underneath it. This extra space will be ideal for storing, for example, train tracks and incomplete puzzles (which can be kept as-is and not needing to be dismantled to be put away).
9. Door shelves
Use the space behind the doors of the kid's roomto put up hook-on shelves for all their smaller toys. Practical to use and space-saving, this will help you keep the floors clear of clutter.
10. Storage bench
Place a comfortable bench in the playroom so that your children can sit back and read a book or play with their favorite toys; under the bench, you can place toy storage containers that your kids can learn to use.
What solutions have you found for dealing with your children's toys?