Sure, the whole idea behind a children’s playroom is to provide a space where the kids can spread out all of their toys and assorted junk and really let loose. However, that doesn’t mean it needs to exist in a constant state of emergency. By following some easy tips, it may actually be possible to keep your Bay Area playroom in a moderately presentable state. At least some of the time.

Kitchen Containers

The jars and bins that are normally used for cookies, nuts, or things like that can be equally effective as containers for smaller toys such as Lego, crayons, or figurines. The clear ones also make it very easy to tell what is in each one.

Bins

Large garbage bins or barrels can work well to hold all the different balls that are required for the apparently dozens of different ball-focused sports your kids seem to be into.

Shoe Racks

While getting your kids to diligently stack their dirty shoes on the rack whenever they enter the house may be overly optimistic, you might be able to convince them to fill a rack with their favorite dolls or figurines, theater-style.

Numbered Bins

While clear bins are great for instantly recognizing what is inside, sometimes they don’t fit the overall aesthetic. Going with numbered bins allows you to have some idea of how things are organized and can even serve as a teaching tool.

Large Baskets

Stuffed animals and dolls never quite fit into anything just right. Big baskets to corral as many as possible can at least keep them mostly confined to a certain corner of the room.

Window Seats

This genius invention provides additional seating and play areas, added access to the windows you know they are going to climb toward one way or another, and can be filled with toys and supplies that are easily accessible yet hidden from the public eye.

Floating Shelves

Normally used for books or photos, these space-saving shelves can actually be handy spots for just about anything small enough to fit. One benefit, or detriment, depending on what is kept on them, is that whatever they hold is readily visible and easy to locate.

Built-In Bins

Effective combinations of cupboards and bins, these flexible items can be easily moved around while packing up, then conveniently stored away in the wall unit to wait for the next time they are called upon.

Just because the playroom is the one place your kids have been given free reign to enjoy all those toys they stockpile every Christmas, that doesn’t mean you can’t still employ some effective storage organization ideas to keep your Bay Area home manageable.