What to do with all these toys & such little space?

Question

Me and my boyfriend have a beautiful 1 year old baby girl! & as much as we love her, we want to love our home again! Any suggestions for organization and decor on LESS than a dime??

Z · Answer

On less than a dime? Move her toys to her bedroom and bring out only what she's playing with. If she's walking she can start to help keep things neat if you show her by example. 
 If you'd like to keep her things in the living room where she uses them, check the for sale sites in your area for a used TV armoire. They usually go for very little money as they no longer work for the new flat screen TVs and people just want them out of their houses.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I agree with becky, there really is no reason to have all the toys out at once.There must be a closet in the baby room where you can put them away and leave only a few out at a time.

Alana miller · Answer

Our stairs are super steep, (hints the baby gate ) and the bedrooms are very tiny with very tiny closets!! So there really is no room in Her Room. So I was trying to think of a way to store half in the living room, && i have a chest to store the rest. Also something to do with that table and the other room.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Are you using that table to eat on? I know thats sounds crazy but as I see it there is way to much clutter.Remove that white small storage unit and find an inexpensive wall unit or chest for the rest of the things.Same in your living area remove all the small items you are using for storage and get one large one. You mentioned cost is an issue so reach out to your local thrift stores or habitat for humanity stores. The costs are way less. Also check crags list or local garage sales.

Karen McNulty · Answer

You should consider does she need all those toys, you should keep her favs and sell the rest, give you some money and buy a chest or bookshelf to put in her room bring out three or four toys a day to play with. something like that. the unit that is under the tv could house toys if you add some side panels using cheap particle board to enclose and paint

Jean Thompson · Answer

Have you got items stored underneath her Crib in Storage totes. Smaller toys She plays with can be kept in a large Laundry Basket. Another storage spot folks miss is the Space Behind the Couch- Pull the Couch away from the Wall enough so storage totes ( you can stack them)can be stored behind it. How about a Large long Dresser with Deep Drawers against the Stair Wall or in the area where the 4 drawer white thing is ... Looks like you have a Dog? I see Blue Water Bowls? Do you have a Garage ? I used to store extra stuff in Rubbermaid Garbage Cans out in mine and Still do.. Start Sorting and only keep out say 5 to 10 toys at a time, switch them out every other Week or so and get rid of the ones she doesn't even play with anymore.. You could make a Fabric Cover for the Laundry basket to cover it up when she's napping or when you have visitors.. You can Buy this things for the corners of your bed to raise the bed up and you have room there for more Storage under the bed.. Hope some of these ideas help. Oh yes how about a over the Door hanger that holds shoes-this can be used in her bedroom for small toys and stuffed animals.. her shoes, socks etc.

Darla · Answer

Oh dear! That looks like enough toys for three babies! Keep her favorites out, put the rest in a box in the garage, and switch them out periodically. That way she'll always have something 'new' to play with.

Darla · Answer

If you have no garage or storage space, maybe get a storage bench that you can use to sit on AND hold the extra toys.

Jeanette S · Answer

Any child still using a high chair and in need of a protective baby gate has such an active mind it does not require this much stimulation. I notice in the room with the table...there is a blank wall. Have hubs build a storage bench with a hinged top along the entire width of that blank wall under the window. Make it the depth to fit close to the door facing. You could actually make 2 in an 'L' shape and use it for seating for the table. When your child takes out a toy, they have to put one back in storage! This teaches them to pick up and to make choices. (A short piece of duct work can extend the vent under the bench!) You could actually make these free standing and just screw them together where they meet. A few pillows and you have a neat, adorable eating space!

Hope Williams · Answer

Get storage containers.  And teach yourself to change out the toys periodically.  Not every you she has NEEDS to be handy 24/7.  She is two and her attention span is short, use that to your advantage!  Also consider donating to a church or goodwill, etc.

Grangerite · Answer

Way to much in your living area. Take pink toy pin and put in her bedroom. Donate several items . Put toy box in dining room take back you living room. What is that black table center it by stairway and put thrift store boxes under it for her toys and leave top cleaned off. Why is high chair in living room. Clean off dining room table and eat in dining room.  Just too much. Have a garage sale and sell some of that. Then use money to get storage items with the money. Start a college fund and stop buying her so many toys. Your space is a mess and needs to be picked up.

Greg Paige Roussel · Answer

When you have more than a dime to spend. You may want to consider accessing all the storage under your stairs. It looks like you might have a large hollow space under there. Another cool thing when you get a few more quarters would be to take the bottom few stairs and hinge the risers to make a toy box.

Alana miller · Answer

Thanks for the idea!!! Didn't ask for your extra attitude towards our house being a mess! (Kind of came off nasty and ugly!) But the rest was very hepful!! And we can't center the coffee table, she tries to climb up the side. That's a 1 year old for you!!

Alana miller · Answer

Thanks @ Darla! I had been doing that and you just helped me feel ok about it!  First time mom and I try to do the best I can :)

Z · Answer

@Alana, anyone who has ever had children realizes that there will be toys strewn around. It's the sign of a happy home. 
 
 My Mom and I saw a cross stitch kit once that had this poem on it. We both agreed it was perfect. I've memorized it, I love it so much. 
 Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, 
 For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow. 
 So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, 
 I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep. 
 Yes, it would be nice to have a place to store your babies toys, as that is what you asked us for help with. I don't think anyone meant any ill will in their ideas to your question. It's not always easy to put into words ones meaning when the one reading can not hear the tone or see the expression given as you can in real life.

Carole Bisby · Answer

I know how you feel with all the toys, I had 3 children pretty close in age so know it can get overwhelming at times with all they toys. How about 2 tall shelve units (secure to the wall of course) and maybe put some of those slide in cloth boxes with the small stuff and bigger items on the shelves. I would clear up some of the small to medium size toys and leave bigger ones in your eating area and she can bring them into the living room when she wants to play with them. I also see you have room on each side of the window in the eating area you could put shelving on each side of the window there and even put a roll up bamboo shade attached at the top and that would cover it when not in use. They sell then at Lowe's and not to expensive. Hope it helps some, lucky little girl with those nice toys to keep her busy!!!!! Good luck let us know how you decide to arrange!

Kayo Frazier · Answer

Here's my 2 cents..I would get 2 bookshelves floor to ceiling & place them on the wall just behind the stairs. Then get baskets(woven or other material) to place all the small toys in them. You could even separate them by type of toy. For the other wall, you can get another 2 bookshelves floor to ceiling & 1 shorter shelf for under the window same thing for those shelves place baskets to hide toys. Walmart, IKEA, or even thrift shops might have 5 or 3 shelf bookshelf units. You can get baskets at a dollar store. This should leave you w/ only the bigger toys to store in maybe the garage or outdoor shed. Hope this helps.

Bev · Answer

Alana,

When looking at bookcases and chests as storage ideas think safety first. Especially as a DIY project. Anchor bookcases -- children love to climb. Make sure chests have safety latches -- children like to hide. 
What about turning a bookcase on it's side? Then slide plastic containers or bigger toys into the squares. The flat top could be used to play on or grownup seating. Take a tablecloth, curtain or any fabric if you want to hide all the toys stored in the bookcase. Or just use the table on the wall in a similar way. 
Stuffed animals -- use a net to hang them or get an empty bean bag chair cover (or make your own) and stuff it with the stuffed animals. Instant chair. 
Small toys can be put into over the door pocket organizers. 
Plastic milk crates are great for storage. 
Just use your imagination. And remember just about anything can be used in a new inventive way.

Missy Capone - Schweizer · Answer

check it out .. theres more online .. just google it - hope it gives you an idea :)

Fiona Janine · Answer

Can you put some of the toys in her nursery? I rotate toys with my daughter, so she's less likely to get bored. She definitely doesn't play with every toy, so I narrow it down to her favorites. Any toys she has outgrown or doesn't play with, I'd sell on Craigslist. It's easier to keep everything orderly and in its place when there's less. We have a large Little Tikes toy chest that is really helpful for keeping loose toys out of sight. See my blog for more ideas. Our apartment is tiny so I know how you feel! I wrote a blog post specifically about childproofing and toy organization. http://jogabelle.blogspot.com/

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Agree with Fiona.

Tatjana Lijić · Answer

Love to help you but you have too many toys,the easiest way for you is to find some big chest with the lid so you can easily put all the toys in,because your baby is growing,so her toys will be changing over time,so do what's easier for you, because she will be taking toys out of their place all the time....best wishes to your family....

Liliana Wells · Answer

Good ideas from Fiona andTatjana Lijić. Also, go vertical with your storage.

Cher · Answer

When I was a kid my mom had the same issue with my toys. You can do the same for very cheap. She created a built in toy box in the bottom of my clothes closet. Since kids clothing is short you have plenty of unused space below! Go to the 'cull' wood section of Home Depot or Lowes. (It's a reduced price cart of odd pieces of wood). Select a board that will fit left to right of the inside of the CLOSED door, not the jam where the door closes to. Select the height you need. 12'? 18'? Then you need two sides and the back of the same height. If your closet has baseboards subtract the height of the baseboard from the total height. Also, subtract the thickness of the left and right wall boards. On top of the box you created use a small board in the back (3-4'). Screw it down to the back and side boards to secure the frame. Then complete the top of the box with a board sized to the remaining area. Add a hinge to the front and rear top boards. You can add child safety hinges which didn't exist when I was a kid. Toys are out of sight and the toy box can be accessed safely. If you pre measure the space they will cut the boards to fit for you. All you'll have to do is assemble.

Cher · Answer

I was reading all the previous suggestions. Book cases and armoires are nearly a dime a dozen on Craigslist > For Sale > Free. If you want something more decorative and less storage looking watch for a pretty hutch or cabinet. If you see a look that you like but has glass doors or walls you can pop the glass out and replace with decorative beadboard or other board and paint it out to make it look living roomy instead of kitcheny! The key to making it look uncluttered is not only getting it into something, but for it to also not be seen. 😉

Jay · Answer

A simple shelving unit with some boxes you can cover in different colours of cloth and wrapping paper for each type of toy. This way your baby will learn to sort and put away each in their respective boxes as she grows older. Encourage her to tidy up for the night when she is young . Children form habits early and they love it when praised to do so.

Alison Datz · Answer

Fewer toys, more time giggling

Lola · Answer

Do not go vertical as it might present a safety issue, go vertical or use baskets.

Lola · Answer

I meant go horizontal.

Tammy Mark Tilley Campbell · Answer

Cut out the space under the stairs. Lots of wasted space there for shelves, toys playroom!

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