Lack of space is a common problem in many homes. And it becomes a stressful situation when children arrive in the family, due to the quantity of household items and toys they accumulate. If your home has reduced dimensions, you will probably be interested in the following tips on how to organize toys in a small room.
How to prevent your children from accumulating toys
The first of the toy storage ideas for children is directly that they don't accumulate many toys. Many children suffer from overgifted child syndrome, which occurs especially at Christmas, when some little ones receive more than 10 gifts.
The direct consequence of this is that they stop appreciating the gesture, become consumerist and spoiled. Furthermore, they don't value their own belongings and those toys accumulate space that is not always spared in the home.
A good formula to prevent them from accumulating many toys is to rediscover the ones they already have at home, donate to family members or to some association those they no longer use and instill in them the idea that they can have fun without needing to have an excess of games, as imagination or a good book are the best solution to spend a pleasant time.
Ideas to organize children's toys in small rooms
Nevertheless, despite the fact that all parents want to avoid that excess of gifts, the accumulation of games is a constant in many families. These toy storage ideas that we propose are designed so that the little ones also learn the value of rational consumption.
Ideas to organize toys, open shelves
A practice that always works is to place open shelves separated into square modules where toys can be stored. Furthermore, an option to add more order is to include fabric or wicker baskets that fit into the gaps of the shelving.
Boxes with wheels
The second proposal is to use boxes with wheels. This is one of those ideas for organizing children's toys in which they are participants, as they will be able to move the box to any place in the room. On the other hand, they will be participating in the organization of toys.
Multi-purpose chests
A chest or a trunk is another one of those essential elements that always appear when toy storage ideas are mentioned. The added advantage they offer is that they can also be used as a seat, or as a game board.
Beds with drawers
And if we continue with the proposals to organize toys, we cannot miss the option of including small drawers under the bed that remain hidden under the mattress. In this way, when they are folded, useful play surface is not subtracted.
Where to store toys that our children no longer use
These are just some proposals about toy organization, but sometimes this is not enough, as the accumulation of toys is such that they have to be taken to the garage, storage room or to the house of some family member who has more space.
And when all this is not possible, but they want to continue maintaining the toys, at Horizont Atlantic we offer as a service the rental of a storage room in our facilities, where they are sheltered and kept in perfect conditions.
Organizing toys in a small room is always a headache, almost as much as convincing the little ones that it is not mandatory to have so many play options. Fortunately, there are viable solutions for all these issues.
Frequently asked questions about organizing toys in a small room
How many toys does a child really need?
Child psychology studies suggest that between 10 and 20 accessible toys at a time is optimal. More toys saturate the child and reduce the time spent on each one. The rotation technique (storing half and changing every 2-3 weeks) maintains interest without accumulating.
What furniture is best for storing toys in a small room?
Proven solutions: low drawer bed with wheels (take advantage of dead space), trunks that serve as benches, high shelves with removable cubes at child height, hooks on the wall for backpacks/costumes, IKEA Råskog type cart for art and crafts.
Should the child decide which toys to discard?
Yes, especially from 4-5 years old. Do it in short sessions (15-20 min) to not exhaust their attention. Three boxes: "keep / give away / throw away". Don't make decisions for him on toys with sentimental value (special stuffed animals). For toys that are clearly broken or incomplete, decide directly yourself.
How do I prevent toys from invading the living room?
Define a "child's area" in the living room (corner with chest or specific shelf). Establish a daily routine of tidying up before dinner (even at 3-4 years they can do it if taught). If the room is very small, books and "quiet" toys can go in the living room; the noisiest and most bulky ones in the room.
And large electronic toys (consoles, drums)?
Assign a fixed area with electrical outlets. For consoles: better in a shared living room with main TV (time control and family socialization). Musical instruments: if it's drums or piano, consider a soundproofed area or scheduled times agreed with neighbors. More about children: moving with children without losing control.
When what's left over no longer fits in any room, the alternative to getting rid of it is to store it outside the house: we rent storage rooms in Tenerife from 3 m², without permanence and with access whenever you want. And if the disorder arrives because you have a move in sight, we plan it along with the relocation.
