Want to organize your kids’ playroom, but don’t have much money to spend? No worries! We’ve got you covered with 10 ways to organize your playroom on a budget.
When it comes to organizing a playroom, it can be tempting to spend a lot of money on fancy storage systems.
But if you’re on a budget and want to keep your kids’ toys as organized as possible, there are plenty of ways to do it without breaking the bank.
I know what’s it’s like to desperately want to get your kids’ stuff organized, but feeling like you don’t have the money you need to get it done right. If you’re a perfectionist like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
In this post, I’m going to show you some ways to organize your kids’ toys that don’t have to cost a lot of money, from cube storage to shoeboxes.
And, just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean it has to be ugly!
This post is all about inexpensive ways to organize your playroom on a budget.
10 Ways To Organize Your Playroom On A Budget
1) Use Cube Storage
When looking for ways to organize your playroom on a budget, cube storage is a great option that can help you get organized without having to spend a lot of money.
Cube storage is one of my favorite ways to organize a playroom because it’s versatile and easy to change as your kids get older and their interests change.
You can use cubes in so many different ways in all areas of your home. They’re especially helpful for organizing books, games, and toys.
I love how you can leave some cubes open to display your kids favorite toys front and center or you can also use some fabric bins to hide toys out of sight. When shopping for fabric bins, be sure to check the size you need for your specific cube storage as the sizes can vary.
You can find cube storage online or at local stores such as Target and Walmart, as well as on Amazon.
They come in many different sizes and colors, so even without a lot of money, you can create a custom look that fits your child’s personality or decor.
Cubes aren’t the cheapest storage idea on this list, but they’re relatively inexpensive when it comes to storage furniture, and given their versatility, they’ll likely be an investment that will last many many years.
2) Consider a Toy Rotation
If you’re like a lot of parents, your kids’ playroom is a mess. There are toys everywhere and it’s hard to find anything you need.
I’ve tried many different ways to organize my kids’ play area on a budget, but nothing has worked as well as a toy rotation.
A toy rotation is one of the easiest ways to keep a playroom organized on a budget.
You simply take a basket full of toys and rotate them every week or two into your playroom.
This system also prevents you from having to buy new toys all the time, because when they come back out, they seem like new again to your kids.
If this sounds like too much work, don’t worry! There are lots of fun ways to make your own toy rotation system without spending money on bins or baskets.
For instance, you could use old suitcases, cardboard boxes or plastic tubs with lids (like these) to store some of the extra toys when not in use.
If you’re interested in learning more about this system, this article about how to implement a toy rotation can help!
3) Use Closet As Storage Area
This may seem like an obvious choice, but if you have a closet in your playroom area, use it!
One of the best ways to save money when organizing new spaces is to make the most use out of what you already have!
Some people even take the door of the closet to make an open storage space which can help a small playroom feel larger.
Closets are ideal for storing toys because they’re out of sight, but easily accessible if needed.
They’re also easy to organize since most closets already have built-in shelves and racks that can be used for storage.
If you don’t have enough closet space, try using a hanging shoe organizer over the back of a door or putting some plastic bins with drawers like these in the bottom of the closet instead.
[RELATED: 7 Toddler Closet Organization Tips Every Parent Should Know]
4) Go Minimal
A playroom is a great place for kids to let their imaginations run wild.
But all too often, playrooms can become cluttered and messy, making it hard for kids to find things and enjoy their space.
One of my favorite ways to keep your playroom organized all year round is to take a minimalist approach.
In fact, I feel so strongly about this, I even wrote a post about why I think a minimalist playroom is one of the best things you can do for you kids.
A minimalist approach means only keeping essential items in the room and storing everything else out of sight. This is a great opportunity to implement a toy rotation and donate some toys that are no longer used.
Ideally, you will only have a few toys in the playroom at any given time.
This approach can help to minimize the visual clutter in the room and make it easier for kids to find what they’re looking for.
In addition, it can also help to prevent toys from taking over the entire house!
[RELATED: These Minimalist Playroom Ideas Will Change The Way You Think About Kid’s Spaces]
5) Categorize Toys and Label
When it comes to organizing a playroom, one thing to consider is how to categorize the toys.
And the best part? Sorting toys into proper categories doesn’t have to cost anything.
This will help to keep your space tidy and make it easier for your children to find the toys they want to play with.
One way to categorize toys is by type.
This could include placing all the board games in one area, all the dolls in another, and all the cars in another.
Another way to categorize toys is by age.
This is a good option if you have children of different ages sharing the same playroom. You could have a section for toddler-friendly toys and another section for older kids.
If you are using an approach like this with multiple ages in one playroom, check out my post on the importance of creating a yes space for each child.
Whatever method you choose, make sure to label the sections so that everyone knows where everything goes. There are tons of great inexpensive label downloads on Etsy to help you with this part.
And don’t forget to get your kids involved! I’ve found they’ll be way more likely put toys back in their rightful place if they have a hand in helping you organize them in the first place.
6) Recycle Shoe Boxes For Storage
One super cheap and easy way to get organized is to use recycled shoe boxes for toy storage.
You can simply label each box with the name of the toy inside, or you can get creative and decorate the boxes with some fun gift wrap or peel and stick wallpaper to match the décor of your playroom.
If you have young children, you may want to consider leaving the tops off of the shoeboxes so they can easily see what’s inside.
Clearly toy storage doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—a few recycled shoe boxes can do the trick!
7) Create a Kids Art Wall
A kids art wall is a great way to keep your playroom organized on a budget.
By designating a specific area for your child’s artwork, you can help to prevent the playroom from becoming cluttered and overwhelmed with art projects galore.
Plus, it’s a great way to display your kids’ artwork in a prideful manner. Not to mention, it can save you money in the long run as you won’t need to purchase frames or other storage solutions for their artwork in the future.
A curtain rod with hooks set like this is one of my favorite ways to display kids artwork in a playroom. It covers a large area, and is affordable and simple to install.
When you run out of storage space for art on your wall, I recommend taking down the old artwork and making it into a photobook that will last forever. This creates space for newer creations while also making a lasting keepsake for the old ones.
[RELATED: How To Store Kids’ Artwork With This Genius Clutter-Free Solution]
8) Install Wall Hooks
When it comes to decorating a child’s playroom, there are endless possibilities. But one thing that is always a necessity is storage.
Wall Hooks are a great way to store a variety of playroom items in an aesthetic way. Here a few different ideas for how to use wall hooks in your playroom.
- Use them to hang dress-up clothes like dresses, hats, scarves, and capes.
- Hang decorative baskets from them to store stuffed animals and other toys.
- Hang backpacks and bags
- Use them to hang musical instruments
Whatever you decide to hang on the hooks, make sure they are hung at a height that is easily accessible for your child.
You don’t want them to have to struggle to reach something that they need.
Hooks are a great way to add function and style to a playroom. With a little bit of planning, you can create a space that is both stylish and practical without costing a bunch of money.
9) Decorate With Fabric Baskets On Open Shelves
Another inexpensive way to keep your playroom tidy is to invest in some cute storage baskets for kids.
Storage baskets come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you’re sure to find ones that fit your aesthetic.
I absolutely love using cute storage baskets like this because they double as decor items as well as being great for storing toys.
This means that you can save money by getting storage baskets that serve two purposes.
So if you’re looking for a way to keep the playroom tidy in an adorable way, investing in some storage baskets is always a great option.
[RELATED: 19 of the Cutest Storage Bins & Baskets For Kids We Found On Amazon]
10) Buy Toys and Storage From The Dollar Tree
I am well aware that when you’re on a budget, it can be difficult to find affordable storage solutions.
The good news is that Dollar Tree is a great place to find both toys and storage containers to organize your playroom on a budget no matter how tight the budget may be.
By shopping at Dollar Tree, you can save money on both the toys your kids will play with and the storage containers that will keep their playroom organized.
While it might not be exactly what you’re looking for, Dollar Tree often has a wide variety of items, so you’re sure to find some great options to create a fun and organized space for your kids.
