Stylish Toy Storage Ideas

Hi there. First, I wanted to mention the awesome throw pillow giveaway I have happening here. Go on and enter! Now, let's chat toys :)


Not too long ago I told you all about the antique market we visited (here). One of the things we picked up while there was this great antique wooden crate. We decided that it would make the perfect toy box for our living room to hold Benjamin's ever-increasing stash of play things (and to keep them from taking over our living room). 

Here is how it looks (although it has just moved so that it sits next to the window - I'll snap a picture soon):

And here is where we found it (more on that here):

In Ben's room, we also have some cute soft baskets for holding toys. The great thing about them is they are soft braided wool so nothing snags (unlike an actual basket). 

With both (the box and baskets), as Benjamin grows he will be able to easily help with clean-up and neither option is fussy or time-consuming. Plus, neither is overly "baby." We chose ivory and grey in the nursery for the longevity of those neutral colours. I don't think it makes sense to buy really baby-ish toy storage - it should grow with your little man (or little lady).

Here's a few toy box/basket options that I think are beautiful.

Grey and ivory chevron? Yes please. (Anthropologie)

Vintage boxes (actually, fruit crates in this case) on castor wheels? Brilliant. We could do this to ours one day... This creation belongs to Door Sixteen.

And this one goes against the don't buy something too baby-ish philosophy but I love it. We affectionately call Benjamin "Benjamonkey." (Land of Nod)

As Benjamonkey gets bigger, our toy storage needs will change. Here are some ideas I've made note of that I think are great.

I love the idea of taking a magnetic ikea strip (intended to hold your knives in the kitchen) and use it for cars. This idea comes from the Style Files. 

I also like things to be labelled. Look at my closet. Labels are not just for kids. But labels are especially great for kids, in my opinion. 

DaNita at Delightful Order uses these great labelled Pottery Barn Kids buckets to house toys. You can get them to say virtually anything. So cute!

And Jen at I Heart Organizing used picture labels in her kids' awesome playroom. This is especially great for littler ones who can't read so that they can easily find (and, theoretically, put away) their things. 

And here's some more outside-the-(toy)-box ideas for you. 

One crafty mama used trash cans affixed to the walls for stylish and functional storage.

From my pinterest here (and originally found here).

Buckets also do the trick(found here).

This book storage idea from Cory Connor Designs is one of my absolute favourites. I will totally be trying to replicate this in the future.

More book storage abound. 

This gorgeous display is from Birch & Lily.

Britt from Gus & Lula used rain gutters to create cute book display shelves. 

And when you display your books like these ideas, they become art. The ceiling here kicks it up to a whole new level for me, too. (from here, originally from House of Turquoise). 

And this is an Ikea ad and not intended to be a serious design idea, but I think it is actually very cool. Use books to create a bookshelf. Has anyone tried this for real?

And for just a little more inspiration, here's some pretty, organized play spaces. 

via

via (from YHL)

From Design Dazzle

(from Pottery Barn Kids)

(from Pottery Barn Kids)

And here's the playroom at my parents' house (more on that here).

Got a great storage idea or kids' room to share? Leave a comment and tell me about it!

Jenny 

xo

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I am linking up here and you should too!! 
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