Toy Closet Organizing Ideas

Practical and playful ideas for making a toy-packed closet fun and functional

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Shop This Look

Savvy Closet Flip

The angular, 6-foot-by-7-foot closet of this attic-turned-playroom was given a high-energy, organized update with bold color, ready-made cabinets and smart space planning.

Mix and Match Storage

Create a toy closet that's as easy to access as it is aesthetically pleasing by combining open and concealed storage solutions. While floor-to-ceiling cabinets hide toys, books and sports equipment from view, open storage cubbies keep frequently used items at kids' fingertips. Cubbies sized 12-by-12 inches will accommodate most baskets and bins, but when space is at a premium, it's best to scale back the size to keep the cabinets and cubbies proportionately in check.

Fill Baskets With Books

Bookshelves are by far the most popular way to organize books; however, most children's books are sized smaller than reference or coffee table books and do not require such large-scale storage solutions. Instead, toss these small tomes inside canvas bins or baskets. Keep the organization easy for kids by adding identifying labels to each bin, simply by painting or drawing on thick card stock or leftover paint chips. This will make the books both easy to access and easy to put away.

Replace Fixtures

Most closets are lit by uninteresting, contractor-grade fixtures. Add designer flair by replacing them with nautical, rustic or industrial flush mounts. Offering more than just illumination, they create a cohesive and current look.

Install Durable Flooring

Prior to its makeover, this closet's floor was covered in dingy, dated carpet. But after removing the carpet and its padding, then installing floating laminate wood flooring, it took on a fully renovated appearance. Since durability is a major concern for parents with active children, an easy-to-clean laminate floor is an excellent option. Due to its fuss-free installation, consider a floating floor to save time and money, nixing the hourly fee you'd normally be paying a contractor.

Add an Art Station

If your walk-in closet is spacious enough, consider adding an art station for the kids. In this home's attic playroom, there was no practical spot for such a station, but a 4-foot-tall wall in the closet provided the perfect location. To create a custom look on a budget, a ready-made base cabinet was assembled and installed, then topped with a butcher block. The surface is easy to clean and forgiving in the event of accidents, while the cabinets below offer concealed storage to keep stray art supplies from becoming clutter.

Keep Supplies Within Reach

Since many art supplies are so colorful and beautifully textured, consider displaying them out in the open. Here, a rustic wooden mail organizer was added above the art station to keep paint and chalk within arm's reach.

Make Good Use of Wall Organizers

Magazines, school papers and tattered paperbacks can easily get lost among bigger, bulkier toys. To keep them protected and neatly stowed away, mesh wall organizers were installed next to the art station. To attach them, first use a stud finder to locate studs within the wall. Next, use drywall anchors, screws and a power drill to fasten each organizer securely.

Save Space

When space is at a premium, it's important to utilize every square inch. To make the most of an empty corner and create a seamless transition between the ready-made cabinetry and the custom cubby system, a shallow corner cabinet was installed. Though it boasts less usable shelving than a wall cabinet, it's ideal for containing small items that would otherwise create clutter on the floor.

Be Playful

Toy storage should be both fun and functional. To add a playful touch to cabinets, consider repurposing wooden toys or ornaments as door pulls. The wooden piñatas used here are actually tree ornaments. By drilling a pilot hole through the front, then attaching to screws, they were retrofitted as clever hardware.

Display Toys

Stuffed animals are a common culprit of kids' room clutter. When left on the bed, they can make a room appear untidy, but when grouped on shelves, they seldom leave room for books or school supplies. Instead, put stuffed animals on display by mounting woven baskets directly to the wall with drywall anchors and screws. Be sure to install the baskets low enough for kids to access them, but high enough so that they're visible from different vantage points.

Toy Closet Organizing Ideas

Related To:

Shop This Look

Savvy Closet Flip

Mix and Match Storage

Fill Baskets With Books

Replace Fixtures

Install Durable Flooring

Add an Art Station

Keep Supplies Within Reach

Make Good Use of Wall Organizers

Save Space

Be Playful

Display Toys

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