The best toy organisers and storage

Toy Storage and Organisers

by Samantha Ball |
Updated on

Over time it's easy for your little one to accumulate a lot of the best children's toys, so it makes sense to invest in a good toy organiser and storage unit for all their treasured belongings.

You might already have storage shelves for books and nursery storage for small items, but what you really need is a storage space for the bigger toys and something practical for throwing all the toys on or in at the end of the day. A good toy storage unit can help bring some organisation to all the soft toys, building blocks and everything else.

Best toy storage and organiser at a glance:

If you're looking for a toy storage unit for your little one's room, or for the living room, Mother&Baby has rounded up the best options from toy boxes to soft toy storage and toy organisers.

Best multi toy storage and organiser: Dunelm Kid's Bookcase Toy Box - Buy now on Dunelm
Best Montessori toy storage and organiser: Montessori Toy Shelf - Buy now on Etsy
Best personalised toy storage and organiser box: Personalised Large White White Star Design Box - Buy now on My 1st Years
Best toy storage and organiser unit: Habitat Kids Rico Double Storage Unit - Buy now on Argos

Best multi toy storage and organiser

Suitable for books and toys, the Dunelm Kid's Bookcase Toy Box is easy to build, and comes with enough storage space for most of your child's things. It's a minimal design but is incredibly practical, and even has carrying handles so you can easily move it if you need to.

One customer wrote: "Perfect for what we were looking for, the box is a great size and holds a majority of the books we have. The storage compartment is great too, it holds all of our baby’s smaller toys and the colour goes great with our colour scheme. It was also really simple to build and took about 10 minutes."

Pros

  • Book and toy storage
  • Minimalistic design
  • Easy for little ones to use

Cons

  • Box design means children might have to rummage through to find what they need
Dimensions:40 x 60 x 40cm
Material:MDF
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:Wipe clean with a soft cloth
  • Rounded edges and corners
  • White paint finish
  • Gaps in lid to avoid trapped fingers
  • Carry handles

Best open toy storage and organiser

The Kids Plastic Organiser has nine compartments for storing toys and books. The open box design makes it easier for kids to access and find their toys, without the worry of little ones trapping their fingers in a box. With a wood grain finish on the storage holder, the toy boxes are plastic for durability and ease of cleaning.

One review said: "Great item, really easy for children to access and use." Another customer wrote: "It's easy to put together. The boxes are a little smaller than I was anticipating but otherwise as pictured and functions well."

Pros

  • Easy to access toys
  • 9 storage compartments
  • Easy to build

Cons

  • Some mentioned the bins were smaller than expecting
Dimensions:60 x 63 x 30cm
Material:MDF and plastic
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:Wipe clean with a soft cloth
  • 9 x storage bins
  • Rounded edges
  • Carry handles
  • Open storage

Best toy storage and organiser with seating

With ample storage compartments, the HOMCOM Kids Bookcase Shelf Storage Cabinet Unit also comes with three soft and thick cushions that fit on top of the unit, to make a cosy seating area for your kid. They can use it to sit and read on, or play with their toys on the top shelf of the unit.

One review said: "Easy to put together, one person ensemble. No damage on any of the wood for both. Sat on for testing before the kids and is very sturdy. Cushion covers come off for washing. Perfect size for kids and a great price."

Pros

  • Easy to build
  • Sturdy
  • Doubles up as a seat

Cons

  • Cubes aren't big enough to add in storage boxes
Dimensions:30 x 103 x 60cm
Material:MDF
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:Wipe with dry cloth
  • 6 x compartments
  • 1 x seated area
  • 3 x soft cushions

Best personalised toy storage and organiser bag

This Personalised Large Rainbow Polka Dot Storage Bag makes a sweet toy organiser solution. Whether you use it in your front room or in their bedroom, it has convenient carry handles to make it easier to move the bag around your home. It can also be personalised with a name, so if you have two children, you can have their names on their own bags.

One customer wrote: "Beautiful basket, lovely that you can personalise too. Holds all my daughter's toys and matches our living room! Bonus!" Another said: "Excellent quality, brilliant size and fits loads in."

Pros

  • Large size
  • Option to personalise
  • Different colour choices for font

Cons

  • The more characters used, the smaller the text appears
Dimensions:45 x 40cm
Material:Polyester
Assembly required:None
Care instructions:N/A
  • Option to personalise
  • Convenient carry handles
  • 4 x font colour options

Best temporary toy storage and organiser

The VERONLY Large Toy Box Chest with Lid is a large toy storage that can be folded away when not in use. It has Velcro on the lid too, to help keep it secure when closed. It comes in a variety of different designs, so you can pick one that suits your style. You can even stack multiple boxes on top of one another, and it has reinforced handles for easy moving.

One review said: "I’ve bought two of these boxes - may order more. I use mine for toys and sewing bits and pieces so everything looks so much more tidy. Good price, collapsible and lightweight. A good purchase for what I wanted."

Pros

  • Velcro lid
  • Easy to store when not in use
  • Large capacity

Cons

  • Some mentioned it wasn't particularly sturdy
Dimensions:62 x 33 x 40cm
Material:Linen
Assembly required:Collapsible design
Care instructions:N/A
  • Collapsible design
  • Reinforcement handles
  • Velcro lid
  • 9 x colour choices

Best Montessori toy storage and organiser

Best toy storage and organiser Montessori Toy Shelf for Playroom
Price: £109.43+

www.etsy.com

Ideal for encouraging independence and toy rotation, the Montessori Toy Shelf for Playroom is a great height for children to get their toys independently. It has enough storage space on each shelf, however, it can be used for setting out different toys to be played with each day.

One customer wrote: "The shelf Is beautiful and was easy to assemble. It was the perfect addition to my son’s room." Another said: "Good quality as shown in the pictures although shipping can take long time."

Pros

  • Helps encourage play
  • Perfect size for children
  • Looks stylish

Cons

  • Some mentioned it was a bit too lightweight
Dimensions:74.93 x 53 x 29cm or 74.93 x 80 x 29cm
Material:Wood
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:N/A
  • 10 x colour choices
  • 4 x wood stain choices
  • 2 x size choices

Best hanging toy storage and organiser

Arriving in a vibrant pack of three, the LIVEHITOP 3 Piece Toys Storage Hanging Mesh Basket is a great storage solution for small toys and soft teddies. You can use different colours for different purposes and even have one in a different location in your house.

One review said: "Bought these for my granddaughter to hang under her cabin bed. They are super useful for keeping stuff off the floor, soft toys, little fiddly bits etc. You could use for anything really even clothes. She loves them, I love them. Great value."

Pros

  • 3 pack of storage
  • Colourful
  • Easy to hang

Cons

  • Can't store anything heavy
Dimensions:27 x 27 x 76cm
Material:Nylon
Assembly required:No
Care instructions:Wash by hand
  • Foldable
  • 3 x storage
  • 3 x hooks

Best trunk toy storage and organiser

While not technically toy storage, the Purity Large Trunk is a great neutral alternative for storing toys away in your living room. It has plenty of space and a hinged lid design, meaning you can shut away any toys in your living room at the end of the day, with the box blending with your normal décor.

One review said: "Great multi-purpose trunk, we used it as a games box for our family." Another wrote: "Love love love this! It’s a decent size and fits in 3 large blankets rolled up. Looks really good too and makes the room feel less cluttered."

Pros

  • Blends in well with rooms
  • Different colour choices
  • Hinged lid

Cons

  • Some said it was smaller than expected
Dimensions:35 x 54 x 38cm
Material:Steel, polyester and cooton
Assembly required:Part assembly
Care instructions:Wipe clean with a soft cloth
  • Lid closure
  • Plenty of space
  • 3 x colour options

Best personalised toy storage and organiser box

With the option to add your child's name to the storage box, the Personalised Large White Star Design Toy Box has plenty of space for all the toys. Ideal for any room in the house, the storage box has a soft close lid so that it doesn't slam shut on your little ones hands. It can also double up as a seat.

One review said: "It's all quality products and a lot of thought goes into it." Another wrote: "Good size, good quality and easy to put together."

Pros

  • Option to personalise
  • Soft hinge close
  • Can double as a seat

Cons

  • The more characters you choose, the smaller the text appears
Dimensions:75 x 35 x 34.5cm
Material:MDF
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:N/A
  • Soft hinge close
  • Option to personalise
  • Star detail

Best toy storage and organiser hammock

A more unique way of storing teddies, this Toy Hammock comes with three wall hooks to fit snugly in the corner of any room. It comes in a huge variety of colour choices, so you can find one to match your child's room perfectly. It can fit quite a lot of soft toys in as well.

One review said: "This little shelf adds so much personality to our daughter's room! So glad we got it! It shipped very quickly and is the perfect addition to her room." Another said: "Perfect for our son’s stuffed animals in his nursery!"

Pros

  • Easy to hang
  • Different colours available

Cons

  • Can only be used in a corner
Dimensions:72 x 67cm
Material:Cotton cord
Assembly required:Hanging hooks
Care instructions:N/A
  • 17 x colour choices
  • 3 x screw hooks

Best toy storage and organiser shelf

Ideal for books and small toys, the Nursery Bookshelf has a bar across the front to help keep items in place and prevent them from falling. It comes with everything you need to assemble and hang the shelves up, including a mini spirit level! You can even hang the shelves upside down to create a rail and shelf.

One customer wrote: "These look great in our future boy’s nursery. These went up a dream and I’m no DIY a expert. Very good value compared to some pricier products on the market. Look very premium on the wall."

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Ideal for books, photos and small toys

Cons

  • Not big enough for lots of items
Dimensions:8.9 x 41.9 x 10.2cm
Material:Pine
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:Wipe with a dry cloth
  • 2 x shelves
  • 4 x wall screws
  • 4 x dry wall anchors
  • 1 x bubble level

Best macramé toy storage and organiser

Best toy storage and organiser Macrame Toy Hammock
Price: £29.25+

www.etsy.com

The Macramé Toy Hammock comes with wooden dowels to reinforce the shelf. It's a sweet design, with a good amount of space for storing soft toys. It's available in six different colour choices too.

One review said: "This is the 2nd purchase of this soft toy holder. Beautifully made and looks amazing. Beautifully packaged as well."

Pros

  • Handmade
  • Eco friendly design
  • Different colour choices

Cons

  • Colours may vary slightly to pictures
Dimensions:60cm
Material:Cotton cord and wood
Assembly required:No
Care instructions:N/A
  • 6 x colour choices
  • Handmade
  • Eco-friendly

Best cart toy storage and organiser

A fun way of storing toys, blankets or even books in the nursery, this lovely Kid's White Storage Cart will look more decorative than storage-like. It's practical, with large storage space.

One customer wrote: "Excellent really please with the kids white storage cart. Bought this for my grandson delivery was brilliant, cart was easy to assemble, good quality, would recommend to buy."

Pros

  • Decorative
  • Durable and sturdy

Cons

  • Not that easy to push around
Dimensions:45 x 7.5 x 56cm
Material:MDF
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:Wipe with a soft cloth
  • Decorative

Best character toy storage and organiser

Using one or a few to line across the room, or even to use in a cubed storage shelf, this Giraffe Felt Foldable Box is just adorable as well as practical. It has a large storage capacity and even has subtle handles at the front and back of the box to move it easier.

One customer wrote: "A great fun way to store your child’s toys, my grandson of one year loves putting toys in and out of the Giraffe." Another wrote: "Great for extra storage in jungle-themed bedroom! Good value for price tag."

Pros

  • Foldable
  • Deocorative storage box
  • Front and back carry handles

Cons

  • Might need to buy a unit for storing the box
Dimensions:33 x 33 x 33cm
Material:Polyester and cardboard
Assembly required:No
Care instructions:Wipe clean with a damp cloth
  • Foldable
  • Ready assembled
  • Giraffe features
  • Front and back carry handles

Best cubed toy storage and organiser

Best toy storage and organiser Habitat Squares 6 Cube Storage Unit
Price: £40 (was £50)

www.argos.co.uk

This Habitat Sqares 6 Cube Storage Unit is an efficient way to store your little ones toys. With shelves and space on top, you can even add boxes of toys onto the shelves. It can be positioned longways or upwards, and can be fastened to the wall for safety.

One customer said: "This was my third cube unit from Argos. I love them! So versatile and just the right size! I got two of the units in oak effect in my living room. One for my daughter's toys and one that I use as a side table next to my sofa."

Pros

  • Efficient storage
  • Can be used with cubed boxes
  • Different colour choices

Cons

  • Might need to buy cubed storage
Dimensions:91 x 61 x 29.5cm
Material:Wood effect
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:N/A
  • 6 x fixed shelves
  • Wood effect
  • 5 x colours

Best toy storage and organiser unit

The Habitat Kids Rico Double Storage Unit is a convenient storage place for toys and games as it has a mixture of different-sized drawers as well as cupboard storage space. It comes in two colours, or in a natural pine which can be painted or stained to suit the colours you need.

One customer said: "We had bought one of these for toy storage and were so impressed that we have bought another for keeping the pet gerbils on with all their food and bedding in. The doors are a little fiddly to assemble on the hinges but otherwise not difficult to build."

Pros

  • Drawer and cupboard storage
  • Pine can be painted or stained
  • Ideal for bedrooms or living spaces

Cons

  • Some mentioned the doors were fiddly to assemble
Dimensions:70 x 100 x 40cm
Material:Wood
Assembly required:Yes
Care instructions:N/A
  • 4 x drawers
  • 3 x colour choices

Do I need toy storage?

While toy storage isn't compulsory, it can be necessary for keeping all the toys together and stored away. Having the toys out all day can sometimes feel overwhelming, so with good toy organisation you can relax a bit more at the end of the day, knowing it can all be stored away.

It's also handy to have a specific place for certain toys, such as LEGO storage, or jigsaws.

How we test and choose recommended products

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.

For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

Samantha Ball is a Commercial Content Writer and freelanced for the Mother&Baby website for two years before joining the team full-time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.

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