As parents we often have a love/hate relationship with toys. We love the way they entertain and maybe even teach our kids, keeping them occupied as we go about our other household tasks. But we also kind of hate the way they clutter rooms and make an obstacle course for us to navigate in the dark at night. Still, our kids love 'em and we need 'em. So here we are with oodles of toys without a place to properly store them. What's a parent to do? Take a deep breath and organize. And, no, your living room doesn't have to look like an indoor play place to corral all of this stuff, either. Believe it or not, there are actually stylish ways to contain your kid's things.
One of the bigger sacrifices parents make for their kids is sharing their space. Homes that looked like they came straight out of an HGTV episode transform into looking like an instant an episode of Hoarders once kids come into play. And parents really lose their grasp on style in order to accommodate their kid's growing pile of stuff — but it doesn't have to be that way.
Sure, parents can still find character-themed toy chests and brightly-colored bins that appeal to a child's eye, but there are also plenty of sleeker options to store toys that can fit in with existing decor. Because sometimes we want to feel like we live in a sophisticated dwelling where grownups can zen out, not Barney's playhouse.
From cubed storage to closet organizers, there's a plethora of products that can transform a home from feeling like the Wild West of toys to a well-managed abode. We can't promise there won't be any late-night ouchies from stepping on Lego pieces, but these pieces will make the possibility a whole lot less.
Rustic Driftwood Nantucket Stackable Storage Bin
For those with an eye for farmhouse decor, these rustic stackable storage bins from The Container Store are absolute beauties. Books, stuffed animals, and games will be contained and the bins can be re-purposed after the toys' reign is over for one's own collectibles.
Rustic Driftwood Nantucket Stackable Storage Bin ($99/each, The Container Store)
Cameron Storage Bench Kids Storage Ottoman Gray
Is it a bench? Is it a toy chest? It's both, y'all! For chevron print lovers, this storage ottoman can house a ton of board games and other goodies while also providing a little extra seating when needed.
Cameron Storage Bench Kids Storage Ottoman Gray ($100.99, Target)
Olli Ella Luggy Basket
Little ones can wheel stuffed animals, blocks, and anything else special to them around the house in this adorable wicker basket on wheels, complete with handle.
Olli Ella Luggy Basket ($76, Anthopologie)
Delta Children Deluxe Water-Resistant 4 Pocket Hanging Wall Organizer
Make great use of your doors with hanging wall organizers like this one from Delta Children. In the early stages this storage system is great for diaper necessities, but can later transition into the perfect toy sorter and the price is so right.
Delta Children Deluxe Water-Resistant 4 Pocket Hanging Wall Organizer ($9, Delta Children)
Steel Blue Poppin Box Seat
We love multi-tasking storage and these Poppin Box Seats can be found in a variety of different colors at The Container Store, so parents are bound to find a hue that matches their decor. They're big enough to store some board games and other boxed toy items. Just throw the lid on when company comes over for easy hiding.
Steel Blue Poppin Box Seat ($39.99/each, The Container Store)
Delta Children Mason Toy Box
We love the simple lines of this modern take on the toy box. It holds plenty of beloved treasures and features side pockets for books and other slim-fitting necessities.
Delta Children Mason Toy Box $99.99, Delta Children
Pillowfort Large Storage Basket
Never underestimate the power of a great basket when trying to wrestle household clutter. This whimsical basket with pom-pom accents looks just as adorable in your kid's room as it does sweetly hanging out in family areas.
Pillowfort Large Storage Basket ($19.99, Target)
Pehr Golden Dots Storage Bin
Smaller items (think blocks and petite stuffies) will look very chic in these shimmering bins, which are pretty enough to display but can also be tucked into closets or cabinets to clear counter space.
Pehr Golden Dots Storage Bin ($22 – $28, Anthropologie)
Umbra Blue Large Rectangular Artisan Crunch Can with Handles
There's little not to love about storage that can easily be folded up and packed away when you don't need it, and this crunch can from Umbra fits that bill. Stylish with a simple print, you can lug toys from room to room with ease.
Umbra Blue Large Rectangular Artisan Crunch Can with Handles ($19.99, The Container Store)
IKEA Flyttbar Basket with Lid
Add a pop of color to any room while disguising its contents (all of the toys!) that are contained inside.
IKEA Flyttbar Basket with Lid ($5.99, IKEA)
Skip Hop Style Driven Car Storage Box
No need to be disorganized when you're on the go. Throw some toys into this stylish car storage box for your next drive to keep the kiddos occupied.
Skip Hop Style Driven Car Storage Box ($19.99, Target)
Viv + Rae Nellie Toy Stacking Basket with Lid
Yes, it screams kids, but this toy bin is stackable, has wheels, and features a stylish chevron print, so we're totally on board. Handles make it easy for lifting into the car when you're headed to grandma's house for a day of play.
Viv + Rae Nellie Toy Stacking Basket with Lid ($28.99, All Modern)
Emily & Meritt Storage
Playtime is fun and stylish with this trunk designed by the celebrity stylist team of Emily Current and Meritt Elliott. Whether you're stashing toys or dress-up costumes, this is one chic way to store.
Emily & Meritt Storage ($50.97, Pottery Barn Kids)
West Elm Storage Ottoman
This one is a commitment because of the price, and it's so chic the idea of filling it with toys can feel a little wrong. But, no, it's so right. Guests will never know this posh ottoman is filled with your kid's favorite things, and you'll forget all about the trinkets hiding inside of it because it's just that pretty.
West Elm Storage Ottoman ($278.99 – $399, West Elm)
Feather Woven Nursery Storage
It will feel like festival season at home all year long with these feather woven bins from Pottery Barn Kids. Stash the goods in style.
Feather Woven Nursery Storage ($39, Pottery Barn Kids)
Brooks Charcoal/Gold Rolling Book Cart
We're just a tad bit obsessed with this rolling book cart from Crate&kids that's so posh we kind of want to re-purpose as a bar cart. Wheel your child's fave reads and plush besties around in style.
Brooks Charcoal/Gold Rolling Book Cart ($199, Crate & Barrel)
HOMZ Long Underbed Wood Storage w/Chalkboard Label Front
This sleek storage unit tucks neatly under a bed (possibly even under a crib if there's enough room), but the chalkboard front make it stylish and easy to label. Casters make accessing its contents super smooth.
HOMZ Long Underbed Wood Storage w/Chalkboard Label Front ($34.37, Amazon)
Seville Classics Mobile 9-Bin Storage Organizer
If monochromatic style fits the decor, this nine-bin organizer will feel right at home. And, again, the wheels make it mobile when it's necessary to move the place space out of the way.
Seville Classics Mobile 9-Bin Storage Organizer ($39.99, Amazon)
Crate&kids Wood and Wire White Cube Bin
A more modern take on cube storage, these wire bins allows kiddos to see what's inside without completely taking it down from a shelving unit. Bins come in white, gray, aqua, and navy blue.
Crate&kids Wood and Wire White Cube Bin ($29, Crate & Barrel)
Guidecraft Dress Up Storage
A child-size vanity that doubles as storage for all of a prince or princess's many costumes? Sign us up! Complete with a closet rod for hanging treasured dress-up clothes and storage for bins full of accessories, this piece is kind of genius.
Guidecraft Dress Up Storage ($152.28, Hayneedle)
