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Tag: kids toy storage

How I Organize Kids Toys

If I could, in an ideal world, I’d have a dedicated room just for toys.  Oh, and clean laundry. All tucked away behind a pretty closed door.

Can’t a girl dream?

Since I don’t live in fantasyland (or a huge house with endless rooms for that matter) + I want my kids to be where we are and be surrounded by what they love, I am constantly changing and updating how I store my kids toys.

I want my kids to play with their precious possessions as much as they want, but *I* just don’t want to see them ALL out, ALL of the time.   With 3 kids in a range of ages (1, 6 and 9), toys could easily consume our home as each are interested in something different.

How do I avoid TOY TAKEOVER?  I strive to continually improve on creative ways to store their stuff to keep everyone in our humble abode happy.

How I Organize My Kids Toys: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

How I organize and store my kids toys…

BASKETS + BINS

Using baskets + bins for storage certainly isn’t new or innovative, but it really works.  Having one or multiple baskets in most rooms of the home, helps make cleanup time quick & easy. In our home, I have baskets in many rooms so that as we move from space to space, there is something new to play with.  This is specifically geared towards little ones who attention spans are small.

For the older kids who have a lot of a specific items (animals, superheros, legos, etc), I have labeled baskets + bins. As they’ve grown, their toys have gotten fewer and smaller in size so much of it is in their room instead of in the living room.  But even moving their stuff to their space, I still have created spots for everything.  If everything has a specific place, then it will make it easier to put away items + STAY ORGANIZED!  The easier the better!

How I Organize Kids Toys: tips + unique EASY & STYLISH ways to organize kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

Pretty bins make a difference!  Baskets or bins don’t need to match.  Create a vignette of differing baskets in varying sizes + shapes.  Toys will all of a sudden ‘disappear’ when surrounded by stylish decor.

How I Organize Kids Toys: tips + unique EASY & STYLISH ways to organize kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

UNIQUE TOY STORAGE IDEAS

Storage for toys + kids stuff doesn’t have to be a traditional toybox or a typical basket.  Outside-of-the-box ideas for organizing + storing toys can be anything that will hold something.

One of my favorite items for kids storage are old chests.  Of course, you have to be careful with little fingers, but chests are large (to hold A LOT) and great to look at.   They can be a beautiful element for any interior and serve a dual purpose – toy storage + end table or coffee table.

A chest for storing toys: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

I have several vintage chests around the house. Found from thrift stores and garage sales, they hold a multitude of kids favorites, like the collection of trains that all my kids still enjoy.

A chest for storing toys: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

In our living room, the old world style chest sits under the modern, minimalist lucite coffee table.  Not only does it serve the purpose of storage, the play of old and new makes for a sophisticated styled setting.

Open up this old chest and voila, it holds the kids entire train set (which they still enjoy playing with)…

A chest for storing toys: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

When my daughter got to the age when she was introduced to Legos, the collection of Lego Friends began and has since exploded.  She has quite A LOT and all the creations needed to be organized in some way.   I chose to use and convert the ever-so-popular colorful toy bin, which wasn’t being used anymore, by adding flat shelves to create a ‘bookcase’.Toy Organizer turned Bookshelf: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

Using a 1″ x 12″ cut to the specified width, new wood shelves fit in perfect to create a 4-tiered shelf.  This upcycle idea was easy & inexpensive.  Plus there was no need to buy something – score!

Toy Organizer turned Bookshelf: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.comGO LOW. GO VERTICAL.

Maximize your storage capabilities by using every inch possible.  Wall space is ideal for vertical storage to organize books, collections, etc.

My son is a hoarder collector so when decorating his room, I introduced more storage than he needed and since, he’s filled the extra space with more stuff.   Pallet shelves hold books. Honeycomb shelves give space for displaying favorites.  Leaning shelves hold collections.

How I Organize Kids Toys: tips + unique EASY & STYLISH ways to organize kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

The space under the bed is prime real estate for storage, especially in a kids room.  For my son’s space, these rolling carts (a do-it-yourself project) hold baseball cards, small skateboards, etc.

How I Organize Kids Toys: tips + unique EASY & STYLISH ways to organize kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

Going low and going vertical helps to get things off the ground, thus creating more clear floor area. In closets, add shelving as high as possible for extra storage of blankets or non-everyday items. Add hooks in the entry for additional coat/bookbag storage. Hang additional shelving in the basement and/or garage for more space to put large bins.

COMMIT

Getting organized is one thing, but staying organized is truly a commitment. Rotate toys every month or few months to keep them interesting and fresh. Once you’re organized, take the extra 10 minutes each day to tidy up and monthly to go through each room to purge any unused items or papers – both of these I personally do and IT HELPS!

Expect that there will be minor setbacks throughout the year, but remaining positive will help keep you motivated to stay organized.  Conquering in small doses is best.  It’s continuous work, but worth it to create a home you love and enjoy living in!

The simpler we live, the saner we are! Rid your lives of the clutter and unused things to achieve a more meaningful, organized home.

How I Organize My Kids Toys: TIPS + unique EASY & STYLISH for how I organize my kids toys, www.jennaburger.com

DIY: Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart

I’ve been busy-busy on finishing up the details for my boys room makeover.  This room has taken quite the turn from it originally being a boy/girl, sister/brother shared bedroom, to a full-on boy hangout haven!  Even though my little guy is only 7 (just shy of 8), I feel it’s a space he can grow with (until I get my hands on it for another makeover, hehe).

So my latest and greatest DIY project in the room is something that holds stuff that I often refer to as the ‘bane of my existence’… TOYS.  Specifically, the little, itty bitty toys like Legos and Kinex that somehow always end up under my feet giving me a great big ‘OW’.

Often under my kids’ bed is the ‘stuffing place’ where things are put that don’t have a home.  When I do a big cleaning, I never know what I will find…  Do you have that problem?  Please tell me yes and reassure me that I’m not the only one.  My solution to a neat under-bed space? Make something to take up the space so there is no room to stuff!

Thus the creation of these rolling underbed wood storage carts.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

Pretty + Functional!  I’m in heaven.

Want to know how to make them? Let’s Go!

They are really easy & super inexpensive.  Actually after making them, I did a quick search online (not thinking I’d find anything similar) and saw similar styles for a minimum of $40…  Crazy that mine cost about $10/each to make.

Supplies You’ll Need:

for a 24″ x 24″ box (buy more or less if you want to change the size)

  • (2) 1″ x 6″ x 24″ long piece of wood
  • (2) 1″ x 6″ x 22.5″ long piece of wood
  • (4) 1.5″ rolling wheels
  • (1) 24″ x 24″ piece of 1/4″ plywood
  • 1.5″ long wood nails
  • 3/4″ long wood nails
  • optional: paint, chalkpaint, 1/2″ thick rope

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

Before buying the supplies, I determined that the size of rolling wood carts would be 24″ x 24″ and (2) under the twin bed would fit perfectly leaving some additional space for other awkward toys (like my little guys plastic skateboard ramp).  Here is a sketch I did before heading to the store…

Note:  a 1″ x 6″ is actually 3/4″ x 5-1/2″.  To make a perfect 24″ x 24″ square box, (2) sides were cut to 22.5″ long.

Here are the steps I took:

1. Using the 1.5″ long wood nails, I attached the 24″ piece to the 22.5″ long piece.  I first added a dab of wood glue, then followed it with (3) nails.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

2. I continued attaching the other wood pieces so the box was created…

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!I’m not sure why my little girl in the background is holding a coffee cup, but rest assured she wasn’t drinking it. At least I hope she wasn’t…

3. Once the 4 sides were put together, I attached the 24″ x 24″ plywood using 3/4″ long wood nails. About 4 nails per side should be enough to make it sturdy.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

4. The (4) wheels were next…  Using 3/4″ screws, I attached a wheel to each corner.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

The result of the rolling cart thus far…

The beauty of this wood cart is that it doesn’t have to be only for under the bed.  Change the size – make it taller or less wide – and use them in the living room for toys, blankets, or DVDs.  How about in the garage for tools?  Or in the craft room for supplies?  There are so many ways, so many uses!

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

To jazz up the rolling cart, I thought it would be neat + easy to add a fun + functional rope pull.

But first, I gave the overall cart a good sanding. Kids + Splinters aren’t pretty…

Yes I sometimes DIY with a leopard scarf…

And rest assured after posing for this pic, I put my eye protection on.  Promise!

Now onto the rope.

5. In the center of one side, towards the top, I drilled a hole slightly larger than 1/2″.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

6. I then cut a piece of rope about 12″ long (I think, I actually eyed it and didn’t really measure) and threaded it through the hole and tied it on both sides.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

The rope was a bit expensive – I think this roll was about $8 – but I plan on using it for another project, so it made sense.  You don’t really need rope if you don’t have it on hand.  Instead try a piece of cabinet hardware or something you already have in the home.

7. Once the rope was in, I gave the overall wood surface a quick dry-brush paint application. One quick, imperfect coat and it was almost complete.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

8. To jazz the cart up one more step, I added a chalkboard front using chalkboard paint.  Using my eye, no measuring tape, I created a box with painters tape and painted 3 coats of the chalkboard paint.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

9. Right after the last coat was brushed on, I had a little helper take off the painters tape while the paint was still wet.

Look at that beautiful straight line…

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

And the rolling wood carts were complete!

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

 

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

Check out the honeycomb shelves…  My longest, most difficult project yet, but I’m in love.  More to come on those later this week!

BTW, you can see more of that fabulous wallpaper on the wall to the left in a recent post I shared.

DIY Tutorial for a Rolling Underbed Wood Storage Cart! The perfect solution for holding toys + stuff. Less than $10 to make compared to $40+ to buy!

So what do you think?  Could these wood carts be something you could use in your home?  Each were about $10 to make and both took about a total of an hour (maybe a little more) to make.  Not too bad!

What are your favorite toy storage solutions? What are your favorite under-the-bed storage solutions?