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30 Playroom Storage Ideas to Manage Toy Clutter in Style

Playroom storage ideas to stay organized

The Spruce / Jacob Fox

Every parent knows that it's all too easy to let your whole house turn into a playroom. Sometimes it feels like toys somehow multiply overnight, and it can be difficult to create a storage solution that not only works for you, but works for your kids, too.

Whether you have an entire dedicated playroom or you use a corner of a living room or nursery to store toys, check out these stylish and clever storage ideas to help you keep toy clutter at bay.

  • 01 of 30

    Add a Hanging Cabinet

    Toy storage in a cabinet

    Bow in the Sky / Instagram

    This adorable playroom from Bow in the Sky features a natural wood cabinet mounted to the wall to add hidden storage for all types of toys. This provides extra floor space underneath for larger items that don't easily fit in a cabinet and helps keep the room nice and tidy.

  • 02 of 30

    Add a Desk

    Desk for children

    Escape Home / Instagram

    This playroom from Escape Home has an oversized kids' desk that is perfect for crafts and homework, but also includes additional storage space for books, papers, or even toys. Hanging wall shelves for a few favorite books and a tall storage armoire maximize storage on the same wall, freeing up floor space in the rest of the room for playing.

  • 03 of 30

    Add Built-Ins

    Playroom with baskets of toys

    Brittany L Schmitt / Instagram

    This play space from Brittany L Schmitt features twin built-in bookcases filled with storage baskets that keep toys neatly put away while remaining accessible.

  • 04 of 30

    Add Book Cubbies

    Room with cubbies on the wall

    Luka Marie / Instagram

    If your playroom is in a living space, look for pieces that don't feel too childlike, but still suit your kids' needs. This cubbie from Luka Marie is a great option for living rooms that double as playrooms. A sleek cubbie unit feels adult enough to stand alone in a multi-purpose room, but adds a ton of storage for books and toys.

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  • 05 of 30

    Hang a Shelf

    Wooden shelf with pegs

    Final Family Home / Instagram

    A simple hanging shelf can be a great addition to any playroom. Here, Final Family Home shows how a small wooden shelf can add a lot of style to the room and even a bit of extra storage. Look for a piece with pegs for extra hanging storage, or hang multiple floating shelves for more usable space.

  • 06 of 30

    Use Sliding Bins

    Playroom with sliding plastic bins

    Home Interior By Lara / Instagram

    This playroom from Home Interior By Lara has wooden storage pieces outfitted with opaque plastic bins that can easily slide in and out, creating an organized system that can handle even the biggest toy and craft collections.

  • 07 of 30

    Let Toys Act as Decoration

    Playroom with colorful toys

    Where Learning Meets Play / Instagram

    If you are short on storage space, why not let some of your kids' toys double as art? Here, Where Learning Meets Play proves how creative, colorful toys don't need to be hidden away when they are this beautiful. Use exposed shelving or the top of a dresser to show off some of your children's favorite toys.

  • 08 of 30

    Go Wild With Baskets

    Playroom with storage

    This Mummy Story / Instagram

    Baskets are one of the most versatile items you can have in your home. Not only do they look chic and stylish, but they are perfect for keeping basically anything out of sight. Here, This Mummy Story used a mixture of sliding plastic bins and woven baskets as the ultimate storage space for every type of toy.

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  • 09 of 30

    Round Up Books

    Playroom with books

    Kid of the Village / Instagram

    Wrangle your child's book collection with these modern wooden bookshelves from Kid of the Village. These units are perfect for keeping a handful of books in rotation for easy access while larger cubbies or bookshelves hold the rest of your collection.

  • 10 of 30

    Use Hanging Wall Storage

    playroom with a craft table

    Kenzie Salomon / Instagram

    The best playroom storage is accessible and easy to maintain (and should be possible for your child to maintain on their own, too). Kenzie Salomon uses a metal rod and three hanging metal baskets to create the perfect place to toss craft supplies right next to where they will be used. Keeping storage within reach makes it much easier for your kid to clean up after playtime.

  • 11 of 30

    Keep It Low

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

    When selecting storage for a kids' playroom, be sure to look for low slung furniture like open shelving that they can reach on their own, like this pink and white playroom from Emily Henderson Design.

  • 12 of 30

    Use House-Shaped Armoires

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Sissy + Marley Interior Design / Photo by Marco Rica Studio

    Sissy + Marley Interior Design lined one wall of this NYC playroom with tall, whimsical house-shaped storage armoires for toys, allowing the multifunctional space to be used by grownups once the kids are in bed.

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  • 13 of 30

    Use Numbered Baskets

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Eggshell Home / Photo by Laura Flippen

    Instead of labels, try numbering storage baskets to give kids an easy to understand organization system, like this light and bright playroom from interior designer Rosanna Bassford of Eggshell Home.

  • 14 of 30

    Create a Storage Wall

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Becca Interiors

    This playroom from Becca Interiors has a wall of open shelving for toys and games that makes it easy to find things. Wall hooks hung at kid-friendly height house costumes for impromptu role-playing, and extra storage under the window seat houses books and spillover toys.

  • 15 of 30

    Build a House

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Maite Granda

    This playroom from interior designer Maite Granda features a whimsical custom-built house-shaped reading nook with a storybook quality that includes built-in shelving to store books.

  • 16 of 30

    Add Covered Storage Baskets

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Mel Bean Interiors / Photo by Laurey Glenn

    This airy attic playroom from Mel Bean Interiors features a trio of covered decorative floor baskets that make toy storage a breeze.

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  • 17 of 30

    Keep It Minimalist

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Jeanne Canto

    When selecting storage for a playroom, look for minimalist furniture and decor that can grow with your children. This playroom from Calimia Home features a white and wood open storage unit that is perfect for older kids who want to move around and make noise and can be easily reappropriated once they're grown and out of the house.

  • 18 of 30

    Add Wall Storage for Art

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co.

    One of the biggest sources of playroom clutter is figuring out how to store and display all of those kids drawings and paintings. Instead of leaving them to languish on a shelf or in a drawer, why not take a hint from this playroom from Mindy Gayer Design Co. and create a designated spot to show them off instead? Six framed corkboards hung neatly on the wall provide a showcase for a rotating display of kids art that doubles as decor.

  • 19 of 30

    Create Zones

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    One of the keys to keeping a playroom organized is to create zones with dedicated storage space to help keep things in their place. In this downstairs playroom from Emily Henderson Design, a staircase niche turned kids reading nook is outfitted with throw pillows, a soft blanket, and open shelving for books so that everything kids need for a reading break is at the ready and can be easily put away between uses.

  • 20 of 30

    Use a Black and White Palette

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Maison Ellie / Photo by Heidi Lau

    This sophisticated playroom from Maison Ellie has a calming and Scandinavian feel that is appealing for kids and parents alike, with a black-and-white palette and plenty of closed storage options to keep clutter at bay.

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  • 21 of 30

    Maximize Wall Space

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Jeanne Canto

    In this light and airy playroom from Calimia Home, wrap-around, floor-to-ceiling built-ins with open and closed shelving maximize every inch of wall space, providing ample storage for toys and games.

  • 22 of 30

    Add a Treasure Chest

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by House 9 Interiors

    This soothing green animal-themed playroom from House 9 Interiors has a mix of wall and floor storage including a kid-sized wooden treasure chest to organize toys.

  • 23 of 30

    Add Wall-Mounted Bookcases

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Maison Ellie / Photo by Heidi Lau

    Wall-mounted bookcases along a whole wall of this spacious multipurpose playroom from Maison Ellie creates a dedicated spot for supplies in the arts and crafts zone that fits in with the overall monochromatic scheme of the space. Canvas storage baskets decorated with pompoms add a whimsical touch.

  • 24 of 30

    Add Stealth Storage

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors

    If your playroom is a corner of the living room, keep it clutter free after dark by adding stealth storage, like this simple modern wall-to-wall sideboard from Cathie Hong Interiors that makes the multifunctional space work for kids and adults alike.

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  • 25 of 30

    Invest in One Large Piece

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Twelve 15 Design Studio

    While built-in storage can work well in a playroom, in a multipurpose space, a large freestanding storage unit can anchor the play area, providing storage for toys now that can be easily repurposed later, like this basement playroom from Twelve 15 Design Studio.

  • 26 of 30

    Add Hidden Storage Ottomans

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Gray Space Interior Design

    In this serene playroom from Gray Space Interior Design, upholstered ottomans with hidden storage for toys makes it easy to clean up when playtime is over.

  • 27 of 30

    Consider the View

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Maison Ellie / Photo by Scott H. Wilson

    In this light and airy loft playroom from Maison Ellie, a cool white, mint green, and pale blue color palette and low-slung open and closed shelving that doesn't block the windows is all designed to create plenty of storage for toys while preserving the striking river views and blending harmoniously with the main living space below.

  • 28 of 30

    Make It Seamless

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Sissy + Marley Interiors / Photo by Marco Ricca

    In this sophisticated playroom from Design by Sissy + Marley Interiors, an entire wall of seamless built-in storage keeps clutter at bay, while the remaining walls are clad in whimsical taupe star wallpaper from Marley + Malek Kids.

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  • 29 of 30

    Add Drawers

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah Elliott

    In this colorful, 1970s-inspired playroom from Chango & Co., built-in drawers under the window seat add extra storage that is easily accessible for kids of all ages.

  • 30 of 30

    Go Big

    playroom storage ideas

    Design by Maison Ellie / Photo by barefoot in the home

    In this dining room-turned playroom from Maison Ellie that is visible from the main living area, a soft palette of blues, grays, and whites harmonizes with the home's color scheme. A vintage-style cloud mural provides a focal point, and an 8-foot-long sideboard provides ample room for toy storage to help keep clutter out of sight.