The holiday season often leaves families with an overflow of new toys and gifts. While exciting in the moment, this influx of new possessions can quickly become chaotic and overwhelming. Proper toy storage is key to maintaining order and making the most of new playthings after the holidays. Here are some tips to tackle the post-Christmas toy storage conundrum.
Take Inventory
Before storing new toys, take inventory of which items need a home. Categorize them by type – action figures, dolls, games, building sets, etc. Assess the sizes and shapes of new acquisitions. This gives a clear idea of how much space is needed and allows for more strategic storage.
Purge and Donate
Go through current toy storage areas and purge anything no longer used or age/developmentally appropriate. Pass items in good condition to charitable organizations or save them to gift to other children. This frees up space for new additions without expanding storage footprints.
Use Bins and Baskets
Plastic bins and woven baskets are ideal holding units for categorizing and corralling toys. Labels by type or age make contents easy to identify. Bins should be stackable to optimize vertical storage space. For large, irregularly shaped items like playhouses use collapsible canvas bins.
Take Shelving Up
Maximize toy storage by utilizing vertical wall space. Install shelving approx. 12 inches deep at kid-accessible heights for bins and baskets. Shelves mounted higher work for larger toys or items used less frequently. Consider wall-mounted cabinets with doors to neatly tuck away arts supplies, games or specialty toys.
Repurpose Furniture
Standalone cabinets, dressers and bookcases all provide toy storage options. Place cabinets and dressers low enough for kids to access. Secure to walls for safety. Bookcases with cubbies nicely accommodate bins. Add hooks on the sides for replicas like guitars or sports equipment.
Under Bed and Closet Storage
Clear under-bed storage bins and slide out trays keep toys from collecting dust but within easy reach. Walk-in closets often have wasted vertical storage space perfect for compact shelving units or over-the-door hanging bags. Use breathable mesh for anything containing plush toys.
Small Space Solutions
For families tight on space, consider mounting wire storage cubes or racks on walls to hold bins. Multi-cube organizers double as toy boxes and bookshelves. In shared kids’ rooms, give each child their own caddy or bin for private possessions.
Maintain Order
Teach kids to tidy up play areas and return toys where they belong. Make it easy with pictures labels. Rotate toys in and out of storage so nothing gets forgotten. Weed out unused items periodically. Combat clutter to enjoy new holiday surprises. With some planning, the post-Christmas toy flood can be kept under control.
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Christmas Toy Storage
What are some good organizing tips for toy storage after Christmas?
Some key tips include taking inventory, purging unused toys to donate, using bins/baskets to categorize toys, maximizing shelving and storage furniture, utilizing under bed and closet storage, finding solutions for small spaces, maintaining order through cleanups and toy rotation.
How can I creatively repurpose furniture for toy storage?
Standalone cabinets, dressers, and bookcases can all become toy storage with some adjustments. Place cabinets/dressers at kid height and anchor to walls. Use bookcase cubbies for bins. Add hooks on sides for guitars, sports equipment etc.
What types of containers work best for organizing toys?
Plastic bins and woven baskets in various sizes allow you to neatly categorize and contain toys. Labels to identify contents help kids put toys away properly. For large/irregular toys, use collapsible canvas bins.
How can I maximize toy storage in a small space?
In tight spaces, utilize wall space with wire cubes/racks to hold bins and baskets vertically. Multi-cube organizers act as toy boxes and bookshelves. Give each child a private bin/caddy in shared rooms.
What are some ideas to manage toy overflow after the holidays?
Take inventory and purge unused toys to donate before storing new ones. Use shelves, bins, and storage furniture to neatly contain categories of toys. Maintain order through cleanups, toy rotation, and weeding out unused items periodically.
How can under bed and closet storage help organize toys?
Under-bed bins and slide out trays neatly keep toys accessible but dust-free. Closet vertical space is great for compact shelving units or over-the-door hanging bags for plush toys. Keep contents visible with mesh bags.
Conclusion
The influx of gifts during the holiday season often leaves families struggling to effectively store and organize new toys. By taking inventory of new acquisitions, purging unused items, creatively repurposing furniture, and maximizing storage with bins, baskets and shelving, the post-Christmas toy clutter can be conquered. Maintaining organization through periodic cleanups, toy rotation and setting boundaries with kids also helps. With some strategic planning and effort, households can find smart solutions to manage the seasonal toy storage conundrum.
