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Toy room storage ideas: Tips for a clutter-free space

February 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

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There’s arguably nothing more challenging for the house-proud than the arrival of a baby. It’s always astounded me just how much little ones accumulate and it only seems to get worse as they head into the toddler years and beyond. For me, whether your toy area is a dedicated room (lucky you!) or simply a corner of the living area, storage and organisation is key in maintaining some semblance of order in the home. And this is a sentiment shared by professional declutter Jo Carmichael of All Sorted Out who shares seven secrets for creating a clutter-free kids environment.

Pinterest image
Image source: Pinterest/fiolajewelry.com

Storage
“Getting the toys and games up off the floor is step one. If there isn’t a built in cupboard to use in this space, line book shelves or cube storage along one wall. The different shelf heights means you can easily see and find things. Also, placing a combination of clear plastic or cane baskets onto the shelves or into the cubes, keeps the toys from becoming jumbled,” says Jo who recommends using the top of the shelves to display the big chunky toys.

Like with like
“Group the toys and games into the tubs as per a ‘like with like’ system. For example, you should put all the toy cars, figurines, blocks, animals and transport toys into their own separate tubs. If your kids play with cars and trucks together it makes sense to group them in one tub. If there’s volume, maybe separate transport into small and large pieces,” says Jo.

Zones
“Create a ‘chill’ area with book shelving attached to the wall, from the ground level up. Have pillows, bean bags and a soft rug there for both kids and adults to lie on and read books or turn pages. This is where learning to read can start when they are only a baby,” says Jo.

PlayroomAges
“Make a bench area – something like a toy box or chest at approximately 70 cm high would suffice. Pre-schoolers can stand at it to do a puzzle or construct something but it’s also just out of reach of a crawler or younger toddler. With a lid that opens, this bench can also provide storage for bulky toys or ones not in current rotation,” says Jo.

Create
If space allows, a low table and chair set is a great addition to the toy area and is a good spot to store stationery – try looking for one with built-in storage in the table top or drawers beneath. “This could even be a coffee table with chunky stools, which has pots of pencils, crayons, craft scissors, pads of paper and pots of Play-Doh at the ready. Keep messy paints out of reach until an adult can supervise. This is a place where they can learn to enjoy writing, scribbling and making,” says Jo.

Pinterest image
Image source: Pinterest/kidcrew.com.au

Labels
“Labels are key to keeping both the toys and the space organised. You can hand write or draw the words describing the contents of each container. Choose a large font so it’s easy to read, as this is a way to introduce reading to your little ones too. Labels remind young and old where to find something and where to put it back,” says Jo.

Pinterest image
This cupboard gives me serious organisation envy. Image source: Pinterest/thesunnysideupblog.com

Pack away
“The secret to keeping the toy room a fun place is to introduce ‘pack away’ time. Make it as fun and musical as you can. Shake a tambourine or put on a favourite song to herald the time,” says Jo who recommends doing this before the next activity or meal to keep on top of the mess throughout the day.

“Keep snacks or meals as a reward for having returned the toys to the correct tubs.
If a construction or game isn’t completed and you know there is still time to play with it later, then put this aside to be finished. When we learn to put things back, we also teach our little ones life skills,” says Jo.

Pinterest image
Like so many others, this play room makes great use of the IKEA Kallax storage units. Image source: Pinterest/12oaksblog.com

“If the toy room ends up in a crazy state after visitors or a busy play date, maybe the next play time could be spent resorting it all back into the tubs,” says Jo who recommends making a game of it by asking them what each toy is called and then helping them find the appropriate tub. “They can then toss the toys back into the tubs with a sense of achievement too. The less clutter the more fun!”

For more | The latest fabulous kids’ room decor

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys 💗 Me and my boys 💗
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner 💓😁
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack 🥰 @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting 🤣 Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help ❤️
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late is marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydney’s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital 😜

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness 😉

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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