Living in a small apartment with young childrens can often feel like a game of Tetris with the number of toys that can multiply at an exponential rate. However, clever storage solutions dont require for the children to have a larger apartment. Clever storage solutions only require for the children and there parents to think smarter about where the toys can go and what items can be group together.
One of the secrets to successful storage is to treat storage as a part of the play activity instead of treating storage as an afterthought. When children are used to seeing storage solutions and utilizing those storage solutions, they will have an increased likelihood of utilizing storage solutions instead of dumping all of their toy on the floor. Some storage ideas that have worked for a variety of small apartment dweller include:
Smart Ways To Store Toys In Small Spaces
1. Floating Shelves
Floating shelves can be mounted into walls to provide additional storage space for the toys.
You can mount floating shelves at a low enough height to allow toddlers to reach for their favorite toy yet high enough to prevent crawling babies from retrieving small items. A maximum of six inches to eight inches in depth will allow for the items to be easily seen yet prevent the items from getting lost in the back of the shelf. Baskets can be used to store items under the shelves and allow for the items to be quickly moved when the children are ready to play with their toys.
You can anchor floating shelves to the wall to prevent the shelves from falling, especially if the apartment is in an area that experiences earthquakes or if the living room is a favorite spot for the children to play and create noise.
2. Under-Bed Storage Containers
Under-bed storage containers that is on wheels allow for the storage of items like dress-up clothes or large toy trucks. Low-profile under-bed containers will allow the items to easily move on the carpet to the bed and have clear lids for the parents to be able to see the contents of the container.
The parents can measure the under-bed containers to the bed frame to ensure that the items do not become stuck in the container as they attempt to move the container into the bed area. Additional toys can be added to the containers for the children to use during certain part of the year yet removed from those containers to allow for additional toys to be used in rotation in place of the toys stored within the under-bed containers. Such containers allow for the toys to remain hidden yet have an area to store the additional toys.
3. Over-the-Door Organizers
Over-the-door organizers with pockets allow for the storage of small items like figurines, craft supplies, and additional dress-up accessories. Fabric over-the-door organizers with clear vinyl windows allow for the children to view their items without having to pull them from their storage home. Such over-the-door organizers can be hung on the inside of the child’s closet door or on the back of their bedroom door if they have very little space in their bedroom.
These organizers allow for a variety of items to be stored in a hidden area yet with capacity to store additional items. However, additional items that are heavy will damage the door over time due to the repeated swinging of the door.
4. Ottomans
Ottomans with removable lids provide additional storage yet still serve as a means of seating for the adults in the apartment.
Ottomans with sturdier frames will allow the adults to place their weight on the ottoman after a long day of work. The ottomans can store items like blankets, soft toys, and items that sit on the coffee table yet are often misplaced. Some ottomans have divided areas for items like puzzle piece and doll clothes.
Additionally, ottomans of various shapes can be chosen to allow for them to match the decor of the apartment to increase the visual enjoyment of the adults and children of that apartment. Guests will not be able to guess what is stored beneath the ottoman yet the children will be eager to pull it apart.
5. Pegboards
Pegboards that are mounted on the wall allow for the children to display items on the pegboard.
The pegboards can be of various colors to allow for them to match the color of the room. Hooks, shelves, and bins can be added to these pegboards to allow items like dress-up capes, music instrument, or soft stuffed animals to be displayed. Items can be hung by their tags to allow for them to be easily seen yet kept in order and not need to be pulled from bins.
Additionally, the pegboard can be easily rearranged to allow the children to place their items in the spot of the pegboard that they wish to display their items. However, pegboards that are not properly installed may appear messily with the items hung on the pegboard.
6. Tension Rods
Tension rods that are placed into cabinets allow additional space within the cabinets.
One tension rod can be installed into the middle of a lower cabinet to double the space within the cabinet for items like art supplies or toy trucks. Additionally, tension rods are inexpensive, easily adjustable, and leave no marks on the cabinets. Such tension rods can be placed in the kitchens within the cabinets or within the bathrooms within the cabinets.
However, the tension rod must be placed firmly into the cabinet so that the children cannot remove it from the cabinet with their toddler strength.
7. Hanging Toy Hammocks
Hanging toy hammocks into the corner of a room allow for the toys to contain a large volume of items. Additionally, if the toy hammock is tied to two walls of varying heights, then the items will still be visible yet be easier for the children to reach for the items that they wish to play with.
Placing the bears into the toy hammock is considered to be an activity that the children enjoy after they have finished playing with their toys. Additionally, if the toy hammocks have mesh included, the air will be able to circulate to the toys to allow for them to not become musty within the toy. Sturdy toy hammocks made of cotton or rope will hold their shape while the children play in the toy hammock instead of the cheap nylon that often stretches out of existence with the number of times that the children pull on the toy.
8. Wall-Mounted Magnetic Strips
Wall-mounted magnetic strips allow for the storage of small metal items like toy cars or toy trains. You can screw magnetic strips onto a baseboard or mount them to the height of the child’s standing height. The magnetic strip will allow the cars to remain on the wall yet be within the reach of the child.
Such magnetic strips can be labeled with washi tape to allow for organization of the items. The magnetic strips can be used for items that are relatively small since larger items may be unable to remain on the magnetic strip. However, magnetic strips will clear the floor space of toys that may otherwise take up that floor area.
9. Rolling Carts
Rolling carts allow for the storage of additional items in a cart that can remain most of the time within the closet or another hidden area within the apartment. Narrow rolling carts will allow the cart to remain through doorways to the apartments rooms. The rolling cart can have items placed on the cart as a temporary table for the children to place their items on yet lower shelves can store toys.
Rolling carts with locks will allow the cart to remain still within the home on hardwood floors. Additionally, if the guests arrive at the home, the cart can be wheeled out of sight in a few seconds. Rolling carts can be utilized in small apartments yet clear additional space for other activities.
10. Clear Acrylic Drawers
Clear acrylic drawers that can be stacked on top of each other within the closet allow additional storage for items. Because the drawers are clear, the children will be more likely to return the items to their proper place. You can label the drawers with pictures of toys placed on the items to allow the children that cannot yet read to place the items correctly.
Additionally, the clear drawers allow for items like Lego pieces of various colors to be stored yet also small dolls with accessories for those same children. Because the drawers can hold additional items, the initial cost of the drawer may seem high but the drawers will last for the lifespan of the children. Additionally, the drawers can be avoided from being over stuffed with items as they may become difficult to pull items out of the drawer.
After trying some of these ideas, many parents tend to think of a few ideas regarding storage solutions for their child’s toys. Regardless of which ideas are chosen, it is recommended that each parent begin with the idea that solves the most significant problem in their home. Small changes will multiply over time as the children begin to use the storage solutions.
Additionally, the parents will eventually begin to wonder how they ever lived without the use of floating shelves or rolling carts. Finally, there will be time for all of the parents and children to breathe, play, and sit down without having to move any plastic dinosaur. Overall, the feeling that the parents and children will have within the home is a feeling that is worth creating.
