Looking for toy storage ideas for grandmas house that leave room for everything else? A basket beside the sofa might be all you need.
Or maybe the puzzles, dress-up clothes and little cars are ready for a spot of their own.
You can keep things simple or give a whole corner over to play. From hidden drawers to colorful toy shelves, these pictures have plenty of ideas to borrow, plus a couple of spaces worth planning a little differently.
Toy storage ideas for visits and sleepovers
a chest full of stuffed animals
We’re starting off with this sweet chest full of stuffed animals. The teddy bears and little panda look so cute tucked together, with an open lid that shows the whole collection.
For your own version, choose a toy chest with a child-safe lid mechanism rather than copying the lid support from a photo.
a pale green drawer makeover
How cute is this before and after? The plain drawer becomes a pale green toy box with little feet and two handles across the front.
I love that the toys stay visible above the low sides. If you have an unused drawer, this is a lovely repurposing idea to explore after checking its condition and edges.
matching baskets by the window
If you want plenty of storage without a wall of bright plastic bins, this one is for you. Matching tan baskets fill the white cubbies, with a few open spaces left for books and smaller containers.
The separate basket beneath the window is a pretty spot for the larger toys. Keep that idea even if you only have room for one small shelf.
a lift-top storage bench
Don’t want toys on display all day? No problem! This gray bench opens to reveal books and colorful toys inside, right in front of the sofa.
I especially like the divided interior. For a similar setup, give books their own compartment and choose a lid with a child-safe closing mechanism.
little labels on every basket
Those little black labels are my favorite part of this setup. They give each basket a category while the larger vehicles and activity toys sit along the top.
Try the same idea with the toys you actually keep at Grandma’s. Picture labels are another option for children who aren’t reading yet.
a toy corner beside the bunks
Planning a room for sleepovers too? This picture shows a bunk room rather than a dedicated toy-storage system, with stuffed animals gathered in a striped container beside the window.
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Borrow that small corner idea if floor space is limited. A separate low basket for bedtime toys could keep the collection together without adding more things to the bunks.
drawers beneath the window seat
I am obsessed with this little reading spot. The striped seat cushion and pink pillows are so pretty, but the pullout drawers underneath are the detail worth saving.
Books and activity items sit flat inside them. Give each drawer a different purpose if you want to separate reading, puzzles and coloring.
pastel flowers on a toy box
How adorable are these oversized flowers? The peach, yellow, lilac and mint shapes give this plain-looking chest such a sweet finish.
There’s also a small caster visible underneath.
If you already have a suitable toy box, try adding a similar floral design. You don’t need to copy every flower to get the same playful look.
striped baskets beside closed cabinets
Don’t want to turn the living room into a playroom? This simple combination is worth a look. Two striped baskets sit beside white cabinets with slim gold-colored handles.
The cabinet contents aren’t visible, but you could reserve one lower section for toys. Keep a small selection in a floor basket for the next visit.
a shallow drawer under the sofa
This is one of my favorite small-space ideas here. A wide, shallow drawer pulls out from beneath the sofa, with colorful toy pieces spread across the inside.
Measure the clearance under your own sofa before choosing a tray. Small dividers could help separate the pieces if you don’t want everything mixed together.
a pretend shop on open shelves
Who’s ready to play shop? The little register, pretend treats and baskets of play food are just too cute together.
Each cubby holds a different part of the collection.
I love that this setup keeps the toys on display rather than hiding them away. Try grouping your pretend food into little shopping baskets like these.
a hidden bin beside the sofa
This pale green side unit may be one of the cleverest ideas on the list. The front compartment opens to reveal toys while the top stays separate.
For a child-accessible version, I’d leave the large potted plant off the top and check the opening mechanism carefully. The hidden storage idea is lovely all on its own.
a pink dress-up station
Calling all dress-up fans, this little pink rack is adorable. The costumes hang across the middle, shoes line the bottom and bags sit on the upper shelf.
That side mirror is such a cute extra detail. If costumes are a favorite at Grandma’s, giving them their own hanging space could be more useful than another toy bin.
a reading bench with hidden bins
I love this reading corner with its front-facing books and little cushioned bench. The pale storage bins underneath keep the lower half simple.
Try leaving a few favorite books on the wall rack and using the bins for other activities. Anchor the furniture and book rack securely when creating a similar corner.
a blue cabinet for books and toys
This blue cabinet is gorgeous. The curved top, rows of books and toys behind the windowed doors give it a different look from the usual cube shelf.
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If you’re considering an older cabinet for toys, check its glazing, doors and stability first. Secure it against tipping before making the lower shelves accessible to children.
hanging pockets for little toys
Running short on floor space? These white see-through pockets hang in vertical rows from a wall-mounted rod, with toys visible inside each section.
You could use a similar organizer to separate small toy collections. Keep cords and loops out of young children’s reach and make sure the mounting can support the filled organizer.
a whole shelf for game night
The board game fans are going to love this one! Boxed games fill the upper cubbies while baskets take up much of the lower section.
I’d keep frequently chosen games lower down in a similar setup. Use the baskets for smaller boxes or loose game accessories, with little containers inside so pieces don’t get mixed up.
a wardrobe turned toy cupboard
There’s so much to love about this cupboard idea. Bright buckets, clear boxes and larger toys sit on separate shelves behind the tall doors.
If you have a wardrobe you no longer use for clothes, consider whether it could hold the toy collection instead. Keep heavier toys low and secure the furniture to the wall.
an attic playroom ready for a reset
Have the toys started taking over? This attic room shows that stage, with bins, books and playthings spread around the floor despite several storage units already being in place.
Rather than copying the layout as it stands, start by clearing a walking route. Then sort one toy category at a time into the existing bins before deciding whether you need more storage.
a building table with color-sorted bins
Last but definitely not least, we have this amazing building setup. I love the rows of red, orange, yellow and green pieces around the large green building surface. Clear bins fill the spaces underneath.
This is a bigger commitment than a toy basket, but you can borrow the color-sorting idea on a smaller scale. Try a few divided trays beside an existing play table.