Stuffed animals taking over the toy room? These clever DIY storage ideas will help you get them off the floor, but still ready for play!
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Under Bed Bins
Under my kids’ beds can become a graveyard of lost toys and clothing. So why not make good use of that space with under-bed storage bins or baskets? “The under-the-bed storage bins are my top choice for storing stuffed animals,” says Parks. “They have latches, wheels, and are airtight, making them super easy to move to different areas and keep out dust and pests.”
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Toy Chest
The classic toy chest with a hinged lid stores stuffed animals out of sight and provides nice kid-friendly seating. “The toy chest is a perfect touch for a child’s bedroom or in a playroom, making it easy for kids to grab stuffed animals and put them away,” says Parks. This toy chest is super affordable, or here are the step-by-step instructions to building your own!
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Shoe Organizer
A hanging shoe organizer allows you to store stuffed animals on a door, shown here by @thetoyminimalist. The individual slots also help your child see each animal without searching through a pile. Once the slots are full, no more animals allowed! Plus, when it comes time to donate toys, your little ones can see everything at once and decide which toys they want to keep and which toys are ready to go to a new home.
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Macramé Hammock
This macramé hammock from @oliverviolet.collection stores stuffed animals off the floor and looks beautiful doing it. The macramé hammock is made with three durable wooden rings that hang on the included stainless steel hooks. You can easily install this yourself in the corner of your child’s bedroom or playroom. I love that it’s not only a functional solution, but also adds a pretty boho style to the space.
You can also explore these Barbie storage ideas if you’re having a hard time organizing the dolls!
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Stuffed Animal Zoo
Stuffed animal storage should be fun, right? This stuffed animal “zoo” from @thetoytamer includes two playful storage ideas! First, she added bungee cords to a simple cube storage shelf that holds the stuffed animals inside. (Specifically, she used these bungee cords and the KALLAX shelf from IKEA.) “Cube storage works great because they make toys super easy to access, and it’s easy for the kids to see what they have,” says Parks, “They can also go vertical or horizontal, working in lots of different spaces.”
The second storage idea is a doggy fence attached to the window shelf. Kids will love opening and closing the small gate to access their favorite stuffies.
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Hanging Fruit Basket
Here’s an idea for smaller stuffed toys from @catherinecachia — a hanging fruit basket! Hang it from the ceiling and fill it with small stuffies. Be sure to use an extender so the basket is within reach. The one pictured is actually hung over the bed, which makes it easy for a child to climb up and grab a toy. The hanging basket keeps the stuffed animals up and out of the way, but still visible, so your kids won’t complain that they can’t find their animals.
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Labeled Baskets
Of course, every good list of organization options should include labeled baskets, and stuffed animal storage is no exception. They’re a simple yet highly effective solution, and they are perfect for corralling small stuffed animals. These baskets from @homorganizing are labeled with each child’s name. That way, each child’s animals are kept separate in a toy room or shared bedroom, hopefully helping to reduce sibling arguments! Check out these clear plastic label clips for a similar look.
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DIY Corner Storage
Professional carpenters @soulfulhaven built this custom unit for clients looking to organize their playroom. Made from stained wood and bungee cords, the built-in frame tucks nicely into the corner, saving precious floor space. Be sure to sand and seal the wood to prevent little hands from getting splinters. If building your own wood and bungee storage box is out of your skill set, check out this similar stuffed animal storage zoo with flexible bars.
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One In, One Out Basket
My kids seem to think they can never have too many stuffed animals, but the collection can easily grow out of control. This simple basket tip will help keep your child’s stuffy collection within reason. Home organizer @sunnyspacesllc says to designate a big enough basket to store all the stuffed animals you want to keep. Then, when your child gets a new animal, teach them the “one in, one out” policy: they have to donate a stuffed animal before adding a new one to the basket.⠀⠀
Wall Planter
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@laurenazimmerman the stuffed animal jail 🙌🏻 #momhack #toyorganization #toddlersoftiktok #motherhood #momlife #sanity #DIY #hacks #christianmomsoftiktok #boymom #stuffedanimals #kidsroom #fyp ♬ Quirky – Oleg Kirilkov
Wall Planter
Repurpose a wall planter into stuffed animal storage by removing the fiber liner and attaching it to the wall in your child’s room — a smart idea from @laurenazimmerman. The metal frame keeps the toys secure but accessible. Stack two or three on a wall for a bigger collection. These planters look surprisingly stylish, are easy to hang, and they’re affordable, too!
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@itslaurenreed Our favorite way to store stuffed animals! #momhack #momlife #momsoftiktok #momtok #storagehacks ♬ original sound – Lauren Reed
Bean Bag Chair
If you’d rather keep stuffed animals completely out of sight, try this genius idea from @itslaurenreed. Take an empty bean bag chair cover (you can buy just a cover with no filler) and fill it with stuffed animals, then zip it up. Now, kids have a cozy place to sit and hidden storage for their animals. It keeps their room clutter-free and your kids will love that their animals have a secret hideaway!
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Utility Cart
My daughter absolutely loved this idea! Keep stuffies on a cute rolling utility cart, like this example from @emilyssquishgram. Your kids get a kick out of pushing their toys around during playtime, and cleaning up is a lot more fun when toys have their own rolling home. Plus, the cart doesn’t take up too much room and includes three ample shelves to fit several toys. This highly rated utility cart comes in a lot of kid-friendly color options.
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Bungee Shelf
I once tried storing stuffed animals on a wall shelf, but they kept flopping down and falling off. That’s why this idea from @thenunleys is so inspired. Her dad helped her make a “stuffy shelf” that features a bungee cord strung through the ends. Now the stuffed animals stay securely on the shelf, but little ones can take them down and put them back with ease.
FAQ
Should I wash stuffed animals before I store them?
“You can definitely wash stuffed animals before you store them, but before you put them away in an airtight bin or container, make sure they are fully dry so moisture doesn’t get trapped inside,” says Parks, “Even a small amount of moisture can cause mold, strong odors, or damage the stuffed animal’s fabric.”
How do I keep pests out of my stuffed animal storage?
According to Parks, here are a few ways to keep pests out of long-term stuffed animal storage: use airtight bins with latches, avoid storing them in attics or garages and keep any snacks or food away from where the stuffed animals are stored.
About the Expert
- Olivia Parks is a professional organizer and owner of Nola Organizers, a home organizing company in New Orleans. She specializes in providing decluttering and organizing, as well as packing and unpacking, for all areas of the home.
