10 Chic Toy Organizer Ideas to Rein in Post-Holiday Chaos

OK, let’s start with the granddaddy of all toy organizer systems — IKEA‘s modular Trofast series. It comes in various frame configurations and with a variety of basket colours and materials. Chances are it will work in your kid’s room no matter the current setup — and become an indispensable toy organizing workhorse.

Trofast, IKEA Canada, $168.

While this whimsical storage basket was designed with board books in mind, its toy organizer possibilities go beyond books. Turn it into a dinosaur figurine den or a Calico Critters’ house party — everything can have its place, but play is still the name of the game.

Braided Book Storage Unit, H&M Home, $55.

One of the simplest ways to tame the toy overflow is to limit the amount of items out at one time. Using trays to display a few sets, a game or a skill task on an eye-level shelf is not new (hello, Montessori!), but these game-changing trays are practical and beautiful.

OUI Lacquer Trays, Chapters Indigo, (various sizes) $13-$50.

The early literacy program “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” encourages parents to reach this reading goal and watch their kindergartener bloom. Libraries, book stores, secondhand sellers — no matter where the books come from, they’ll need to be housed. This minimalist multi-tiered spinning shelf keeps them neat and ready to read… and read… and read again.

3 Tier 360° Rotating Organizer, Amazon Canada, $99.

To become a pro toy organizer, you’ll need to get really familiar with a drill, drywall plugs and a level — wall organizers are key to a clear floor. If you can put it up, do it. By limiting clutter on the ground and on table and desk surfaces, you open up the possibilities for full-body play that kids need.

Metal Hanging Organizer, Zara Home, $70.

Lego — the bright bastion of creative play and the bane of parents’ feet. Coming up with a thoughtful storage plan for (bordering on) thousands of tiny bricks can be tricky. Take out the pain and find peace of mind with Lego’s aesthetically pleasing answer — giant packable, stackable storage bricks in a variety of sizes and colours.

Lego Storage Box Set of 3, Amazon Canada, $98.

No matter how hard parents try to stem the flow of stuffed animals, children’s rooms always seem to end up looking like a menagerie. An over-the-door organizer with tons of pockets, lowered to the child’s height, is a simple, humane way to store these squishy soft friends.

OUI Over The Door Organizer, Chapters Indigo, $80.

Any time a piece of kid’s furniture can perform the secondary function of providing much-needed storage, parents rejoice. This two-in-one chair and toy organizer set is the perfect example of utility and style. All four stools have built-in compartments to store various toys, books and more.

Nesting Charcoal Kids Play Chairs, Crate & Barrel, $300.

If you do have a bit of floor space to play with, a chic utility cart makes a versatile toy organizer. With its multiple shelves and caster wheels, adapt it to your kid’s changing interests as they grow from toddler to teenager.

Type A Momentum Steel 3-Tier Utility Cart, Canadian Tire, $50.

Bedtime can be a chaotic period of brushing teeth, nighttime stories, big feelings and bone-weary parents. Help yourself by setting up all you’ll need beforehand in this chic bedside caddy — books, a water bottle and the patience of a saint will all be there waiting for you at lights out.

Kikkerland Felt Bedside Caddy, Well.ca, $27.