Playroom Organization Must-Haves: Storage and Organization That Actually Work

If you’ve ever walked into your playroom and felt like you were wading through a toy explosion, you’re not alone. I’ve tried rattan baskets, fabric bins, and all the “pretty” storage solutions out there — but nothing stuck. The toys always ended up scattered, and my kids had no idea where things belonged.

The game changer? Clear, visible bins. Once I switched everything over, cleanup became easier, my kids played more independently, and our playroom finally felt under control. Below, I’ll show you exactly how I organize blocks, Magna-Tiles, puzzles, stuffed animals, balls, and play kitchen supplies — with photos of our setup and links to the exact bins we use.

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Blocks and Magna-Tiles

Why it works: Clear bins let kids instantly see which blocks or magna-tile they want — no more dumping three baskets just to find the red ones.

Puzzles

Why it works: Puzzle boxes are bulky and fall apart. I cut a part of the box so we can see the image, tap it on the clear bin — you know what you are getting & no more missing pieces. They also look so good and organized on the shelf!

Balls

Why it works: Balls roll everywhere unless you contain them. A tall open clear bin makes it easy for kids to toss them in during cleanup. I rotate the balls based on what they actually use, and we don’t have balls all over the house all the time (usually!).

Magnetic Tubes & Small Toys

Why it works: Sets like magnetic tubes, LEGO pieces, tiny balls, or strip toys can be a nightmare to contain. Clear bins make it easy for kids to see everything without dumping it all over the floor. For smaller toys, I love the clear bins with the handle — they keep the pieces together and easy for the little ones to carefully pull out of the shelf. Notice how this handle is a pull-out versus a hole, because you don’t want those little pieces to come out!

Doctor Kit & Multi-Piece Sets

Why it works: Toys that come in small to medium sized kits — like doctor kits, doll accessories, or play tool sets — almost always come packaged in flimsy boxes that fall apart within weeks. Instead, I dedicate one smaller clear bin per kit. Everything stays together, it’s easy to grab, and my kids know exactly where to put the pieces back.

Play Kitchen Supplies

Why it works: Little play food and utensils get lost fast. Clear, divided, stackable bins let kids see everything and keep pretend play organized. Just like your pantry!

Stuffed Animals

Why it works: A big, sturdy, wooden organizer that is easy for the littles to grab any stuffed animal they want! They can see all the stuffies available, and grab only the one they want! We have all been there where they empty a full bin of stuffed animals just to grab one at the bottom of the bin - no more mess! This is the best solution I have found.

Hope this all helped!

Rattan and fabric bins look gorgeous in photos, but they’re not kid-friendly. Kids can’t see what’s inside, which leads to dumping everything out. Clear bins give them independence — they can choose what to play with and know exactly where things go back. As a parent of two toddlers, it’s easier for me too — no constant reorganizing or reminding.