Homestyle Easy solutions to storing toys

If you’re tired of tripping over dolls and stepping on tiny Legos, learn how to keep them neatly out of the way

The key to a neat and well-organized home is having the right storage. It’s especially true if toys have taken over every room in your house. With good storage, toys stay discreetly out of view but accessible for your little ones. Before buying any storage apparatus, it pays to evaluate what toys and books your kids play with and which ones you can donate. “If they are reluctant to part with certain toys,” said Donna Smallin Kuper, a professional organizer and author of “Clear the Clutter, Find

Happiness,” “box them up and date the box for six months out. If they miss an item during that time, it can be retrieved. If they don’t, you can donate the entire box.” Take a look at some storage suggestions below:

Clear stackable crates

Storing like items in seethrough crates lets ever yone know the Paw Patrol pieces are stashed in this bin, the Mega Bloks in that bin. Get the crates in a uniform size to make stacking easier or get any variation of containers such as a plastic cabinet with plastic drawers. Avoid cardboard boxes, which can attract cockroaches and mice.

Hooks

Make it easy to have dress-up time by installing a series of hooks low enough for a child to reach. No more Belle gowns or ninja costumes lost on the floor of a closet.

Low shelves

Position the shelves low enough for kids to grab what toys they want from them. Consider putting plastic bins without lids on the shelves to keep small pieces like Legos in one place. Having storage that’s heightfriendly to your little ones makes it easier to include them in the cleanup process at the end of the day.

For safety’s sake, install brackets on the wall where you’re planning to put up the shelves; it’ll prevent them from tipping over.

Hanging shoe organizer

“One of my favorite tips is to use hanging a shoe bag organizer with clear plastic pockets,” Kuper said. “Hang it on the back of a bedroom door to store little stuf f like Beanie Babies.” It’s also handy for ar t supplies like glue sticks and Play-doh.

Tension rods

Create a closet with a tension rod installed in a small cabinet or bookshelf. It’s the per fect place for Barbie or American Girl outfits.

GETTY IMAGES Storing items in clear containers makes it easy to keep track of which toy goes where.