Stylish storage for non-stylish toys

I've succumbed to the onslaught of bright plastics, but refuse to lose all interior style

Welcome to my daily battle: trying to keep an organised and good-looking home while swathes of colourful toys dot themselves around every possible place – hiding or otherwise.

This morning, I woke up to a mini spatula and cooking pot on the landing (from the mini kitchen downstairs, of course) and a book perched atop my bedroom radiator (new way to display?). And that’s how the day begins. Then it’s usually hop scotch over blocks tossed on the floor, careful tip toe-ing to avoid the risk of a wince-inducing step on a piece of Duplo (ouch!) and lots of moving things from one place to another only for them to not-so-mysteriously be moved back again.

Now I’m not silly enough to try and keep things tidy all day because that, my friend, is a losing battle. So I (or we, I should say) tend to do a mini clear up at nap time and then a big sweep at the end of the day. My house is a play zone in daylight hours and try as I might to have it looking nice, I’ve succumbed to the onslaught of bright, colourful, plastic toys that are like silver to a magpie toddler’s eyes.

But I will not forfeit all style. No, no, no. So my compromise is stylish storage, which if you’ve been reading a little while, you’ll know also happens to be my happy place. In fact, I bought a cupboard organiser for under the sink last week and it’s honestly given me joy. But I digress.

To sort toys, I’ve gone for an out of sight, out of mind approach (sorry, the Montessori display method just ain’t for me). Think baskets, boxes, hampers, double-duty pieces and a throw-it-all-in-when-you-can’t-be-bothered toy box. Everything is accessible to little hands but by keeping different types of play things in different types of storage, I feel much more satisfied that they’re all organised, if lacking in the interior aesthetic stakes.

I’ve jostled with the idea of labelling but figure that this will make it a bit more cumbersome to switch up what receptacles are used for when toy tastes change, which will inevitably be the case. I’ve likely got a couple of decades ahead of me before I get full control of my interiors back, so best get comfortable with this particular battle of wills.

Here are my top ideas for stylish storage for non-stylish toys…

1. Picnic hampers

I’ve been given a few of these wicker hamper baskets as gifts and they’ve been used for various things – from blanket storage and a place to keep party supplies. Now, they’re a premium toy storage opportunity. Since this type of basket has a lid – and usually a buckle to secure it – it’s a good option for keeping things you don’t necessarily want little ones to get access to all of the time. I have one filled with toys and books that are a few age-brackets up and another waiting in the wings, but I’m thinking it’ll make a good craft cart. Does anyone actually use these for picnics?

2. Apple crates

Simple and so useful. Since these wooden crates have handles, they’re easy to move around, they’re stackable and pretty sturdy. I’ve left my ones as bare wood but you could simply paint them in whatever colour you want and create some lovely storage. It was actually the crates that I considered labelling, which I still think is a nice option if you’re sprucing them up. Great for books.

3. Baskets, baskets and more baskets

I was actually chatting to a homeowner I was interviewing about how good baskets are a couple of weeks ago. It’s true and part of the reason I have to ration my trips to Homesense (the basket aisle is up there, am I right?). Baskets feature throughout my home, and not only for toys, although many are being repurposed as such (excuse to buy more?). Chuck it in and it looks good. Even better, top it with a cushion or blanket to conceal what’s beneath. I like to mix and match the styles of baskets to add a bit of interest visually and you can use them to add some colour too – the colour you actually want, unless Fisher-Price green is your thing.

Speaking of chatting to people about baskets, designer Charmaine White of The White House Interiors once gave me the tip of using an outdoor version made from waterproof material and with a plastic lining to keep bath toys – very clever thinking indeed.

4. A double-duty toy box

Ok, so this is a project on my to-do list. I already have a toy box – a grey one with a lift up lid – that I plan to make into a seat so it doubles as a reading spot or a little perch. The plan is to buy a length of foam (which I’ve seen in Dunelm) and cover it with a nice fabric. I’m thinking a funky colourful design will be the best bet. One: to add pattern to the play zone in my dining area and, two: to hide a multitude of sticky finger stains that will no doubt find their way onto it in no time. I’ll include a zip or button fastening to make sure I can take it off and bung it in the wash, don’t worry.

5. Peg board hooks

I love these. You can buy boards where you can move the pegs around to suit your needs (but watch for small parts), a solid run of pegs on a wood backing or the expanding variety that for some reason reminds me of a laundrette (don’t know why). Etsy has some lovely options. Use them to hang whatever you fancy from decorative banners or fun signs, mini shopping bags, hoops or soft toys. Some play things do actually make for a nice display.

Have you got any stylish storage ideas in your home? Comment below, I’d love to find more ideas.

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