20 Kids Toy Storage Ideas for the Living Room
Once kids arrive, the living room quickly becomes their favorite play zone. Toys seem to multiply overnight, filling every corner that used to feel calm and cozy. If you find yourself picking up toys all day, hidden storage can make a huge difference.
By blending clever storage into your living room design, from built-in cabinets to stylish furniture that doubles as storage, you can keep your space organized without losing its charm.
These creative ideas help you and your kids put things away easily at the end of the day, turning the living room back into a peaceful space for relaxing after bedtime.
Go for a Storage Sectional
When planning toy storage in your living room, furniture that serves more than one purpose is always a win. A storage sectional is a great example. It looks sleek and inviting for guests while hiding toys beneath the seats.
The deep lift-up compartments keep playthings tucked away without affecting your room’s look. It is a practical and stylish solution that blends right into your decor.
In a Shallow Closet
In this living room from Martha O’Hara Interiors, a sliding barn-style door hides a wide, shallow closet that can store toys and other clutter. The gold-toned hardware adds a touch of style, and the easy access makes cleanup simple, even for tired parents or kids who need a quick way to put things away.
Hide in Plain Sight
In this living room from Emily Henderson Design, simple wood storage crates fit perfectly beneath the window seat, blending in with the light wood floors. The setup makes it easy for kids to pull the bins out and put their toys back when they are done playing.
It is a smart way to teach little ones to stay tidy while still keeping their toys close by.
Stash Toys in Textured Baskets
Large woven baskets are a beautiful way to store toys while adding natural texture to your living room. They are perfect for soft toys, books, or anything sturdy enough to toss in quickly during cleanup.
The open top makes it easy for kids to reach in and grab what they need. To blend the basket into your decor, place a folded blanket or a throw pillow on top, or tuck it beneath a console or side table to keep it out of sight.
In a Sleek Sideboard
Cathie Hong Interiors designed a family-friendly living room that doubles as a play space. A long, low console runs along the wall, offering plenty of closed storage for toys and books. At the end of the day, everything can be packed up inside, leaving the room ready for the adults to relax.
Tuck Toys Into Organizers
A toy organizer brings a playful yet tidy feel to your living room. It keeps toys contained while maintaining a clean and cheerful space. Choose one with various compartment sizes to fit everything from small blocks to larger toys.
Open bins make it simple for kids to grab what they need and put it back when finished, helping keep your home both practical and fun.
In a Custom Game Table
Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona transformed her family room into a fun and functional game room. She built a custom game table with hidden compartments to store puzzle pieces, cards, and small games.
Nearby built-in cabinets hold larger board games, keeping everything organized and within reach for family game night.
Display Toys on a Bookcase
A bookcase can do more than display novels. Use it to organize your child’s toys and books neatly in your living room. This approach keeps playthings accessible while adding vertical storage that works well in smaller spaces.
Mix toys and books on different shelves to create variety, and weave in decor pieces like photo frames or clocks to make it part of your living room design.
On a Side Wall
Kate Marker Interiors designed a clean and airy living room with built-in cabinets along a side wall that offer plenty of space to hide toys and games. The seamless storage keeps everything organized without disrupting the light, open feel of the room.
Stash With a Storage-Friendly Coffee Table
A coffee table is a staple in every living room, perfect for holding drinks, decor, or a tray for remotes — and it can double as toy storage too. Look for tables with built-in compartments like trunks, drawers, or lower shelves to keep toys hidden but close at hand.
To add charm, use decorative baskets or boxes to store smaller toys neatly on open shelves. It keeps the space tidy while adding a touch of style.
Hidden in Storage Ottomans
Storage ottomans are perfect for family spaces because they are versatile and stylish. In this soft blue living room from Gray Space Interior Design, a pair of rounded ottomans hold toys inside. When playtime is over, the lids go on and the ottomans double as comfy footrests for relaxing at the end of the day.
Camouflage Toys in Cabinets
If your living room already has a cabinet or chest, dedicate one drawer or shelf to toys. They will blend in with your decor while staying easy to reach. For a more decorative look, try cabinets with glass panel doors so your child can see their toys while still keeping the room neat.
Mix books, plush animals, and blankets inside. Smaller items fit best in baskets or bins, keeping everything tidy and easy to pull out when needed.
In the TV Alcove
Cathie Hong Interiors created an open-plan living room with a cozy TV alcove that has plenty of room for kids to play. The TV console includes hidden storage for toys, making it easy to balance screen time with playtime in the same space.
Store Toys in a Bench
Add a bench to your living room for a touch of sophistication and smart storage. It can be extra seating for guests or part of a cozy reading nook beside a bookcase. Use the bench to hold small toys, stuffed animals, or toddler essentials.
Place soft bins inside to make it easy and safe for kids to pull out their toys. As your child grows, the same bins can store blankets, throws, or extra pillows.
Shelf Baskets
In this London living room from Studio Peake, the designers left the bottom shelves of the built-ins open and filled them with large woven baskets. This gives kids a place to stash their favorite toys while keeping the rest tucked away in bedrooms or playrooms. It helps keep the living room calm and clutter-free.
Conceal Toys With an Ottoman
An ottoman adds both comfort and style to your living room while hiding a clever secret inside. It serves as extra seating when guests stop by, works as a coffee table alternative, and is the perfect place to rest your feet during a show.
Inside, it holds your child’s favorite toys out of sight. The lid opens easily, making cleanup quick before unexpected visitors arrive. It is also a safer choice for little ones since there are no hard corners like a coffee table might have.
Under the Sofa
Sissy + Marley Interior Design designed this family-friendly NYC playroom with a neutral color palette that works for both kids and adults. The deep sofa has hidden storage beneath the seat cushions, perfect for toys that need to be out of sight.
Wooden house-shaped cabinets along the wall provide even more space to keep things organized when the day winds down.
Floating Console
Interior designer Maite Granda used a floating TV console in this bright Florida living room to create sleek hidden storage. The top surface stays clear, giving kids a place to display a few favorite toys without the space feeling messy or overcrowded.
In Oversized Baskets With Lids
Oversized woven baskets with lids are a stylish and practical way to keep toys out of sight while still easy to reach. In this living room from Desiree Burns Interiors, baskets are placed neatly under a console table behind the sofa. They add a cozy texture to the neutral space while keeping toy clutter tucked away.
In a Vintage Trunk
A vintage trunk can bring warmth and charm to your living room while also hiding toys. In this space from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors, the trunk doubles as a coffee table. Keep the top clear or lightly styled so it is easy to open and close. It makes toy cleanup simple while adding character to the room.
