Greetings! Can you believe it’s actually May? (Or is it? I must admit I’ve lost all sense of time and I imagine that some of you have, too!) As we close out Week 8 of social distancing and stay-at-home measures, I’m feeling a bit stir crazy. Anyone with me? No matter how much you love your home, it is hard being there all day, every day with very limited ventures out into the world! And, when your home isn’t looking its best, it can make it that much more difficult. One complaint I keep hearing from my friends with young children is that the constant mess that inevitably comes from being at home all the time can be draining, frustrating, and disheartening. And no wonder! We know that clean, uncluttered spaces are soothing and relax the mind, so of course chaotic spaces have the opposite effect on our psyches. Right now, we all need any bit of peacefulness we can get and while I can’t help you sweep the glitter off the floor or vacuum up the crumbs between your couch cushions, I can give you some tips for getting toy clutter under control.
With all of our newfound time at home trying to fend off boredom, my boys have been doing a deep dive into their toys and digging out things they haven’t touched for months! I can’t complain too much when they manage to play together and give me a few minutes to drink my coffee or answer an email, but the struggle to keep their messes contained is oh-so real. Of course any home with children is going to have some degree of untidiness a good chunk of the time, but I also feel strongly that toys should not be taking over your home just because some little people happen to live there!
If you too have been living with annoying toy clutter, I am here to promise you it doesn’t have to be that way! There are plenty of gorgeous products—ones you’ll actually love having as part of your decor rather than merely tolerating their presence—that can help get the problem under control. Below, some of my picks and suggestions for how to incorporate them into your life.
Baskets are the easiest way to create storage space wherever toys regularly end up strewn across the floor (so…every room in the house, right?)! There are endless options in all sorts of sizes, materials, and colors so go ahead and find some that speak to your style and integrate seamlessly into your design scheme. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, try this simple but chic coordinating set. It comes in several neutral colors that will go with pretty much any room decor and you even have the option to add cute embroidered liners for a foolproof organization system.
Rutherford Storage Collection and Bordered Cotton Liners, available at RH Baby & Child, $15-$169
If you’re looking for something a little bit more unique, check out these gorgeous leather storage baskets from The Citizenry. So chic, and so easy to toss wayward toys in at the end of a busy day!
Azad Tall Leather Storage Bins available at The Citizenry, $225-$245
If you’re in need of something a bit more whimsical for a child’s bedroom or playroom, Pehr has an entire line of different size storage bins and baskets featuring playful pom poms and adorable themed prints.
Pehr Pom Pom Hamper in Blush, $82 at Maisonette
If you are ready to commit to a larger, more permanent piece of furniture, this handsome storage bench will blend into your living area decor seamlessly, and no one will guess that it’s hiding stuffed animals, random puzzle pieces, and matchbox cars!
Classic Nailhead Storage Bench available at RH Baby & Child, $579 - $909
The same idea goes for this lovely little ottoman, which would be perfect for quickly tucking away small items you can’t stand to look at anymore.
Elrosa 15” Velvet Round Storage Ottoman, available at AllModern, $59
If you’ve picked up some baskets or furniture with storage inside and have managed to control the toy chaos happening in your home, congratulations! You’ve passed my Toy Storage 101 course and are ready to graduate to the next level. If you’re feeling motivated and are truly ready to get organized, it’s time to invest in some specialty storage bins. I strongly believe in having a designated place for every item, and these are the best way to accomplish this. You can even really go the distance and include a photo label on each bin indicating its contents—blocks, cars, magnet tiles, trains, etc.—so that even the littlest monsters can help put toys away in the correct place!
These wooden bins are great because they can either be stacked to create the look of a larger unit with dividers or mixed and matched with other baskets and containers as shown in the photos.
Stackable Wooden Storage Bins available at Target, $16-$20 each
A piece like this one is also great for organizing toys—especially ones with lots of small pieces! I love that it gives you the freedom to quickly pull out a bin to bring to another room, play with the pieces there, then clean them up and put the bin back in its spot on the shelf.
9-Cube Organizer Shelf available at Target, $45
Don’t forget about bins and baskets to fit in the cube! There are tons of options in all kinds of colors and patterns. Feel free to experiment with mixing and matching different textures and for a more sophisticated look. (Just don’t forget to check measurements before purchasing to ensure they will fit into the cubbies!)
Pillowfort Polka Dot Toy Storage Bin available at Target, $10
And there you have it! I hope these tips can help kick your toy clutter to the curb so that your home feels like a refuge rather than a prison during this crazy, stressful time. Remember, though, that even the most organized homes gets cluttered when small children are around, so please be kind to yourself. Sometimes things get out of control despite our best efforts and we have to simply smile and embrace it! I hope you and your families are well and look forward to when we can all be together out in the world again.
~Carolyn & Team Bliss