As an interior designer who has designed lots of kids' spaces, I know that one of the biggest challenges is storage. Kids come with a lot of stuff—toys, books, clothes, craft supplies—and keeping it all organised (and looking good) is no small task. Thankfully, when it comes to kids’ room storage ideas, there are plenty of options that are both practical and stylish. In this post, I’m sharing some easy storage ideas that work brilliantly in kids’ rooms, playrooms and family rooms, from flexible modular systems to colourful locker cabinets and vintage finds. Whether you’re starting a room design from scratch or just trying to declutter, these ideas are a great way of creating a space that works hard and feels fun.

String Furniture

One of my favourite storage solutions for kids' bedrooms or family rooms, String furniture is a great example of multi-functional furniture that will grow with your child.

Ladderax furniture — *My youngest boy’s room with Ladderax modular furniture*

I first fell in love with mid-century modular furniture when we inherited a classic Ladderax shelving system from the previous owners of our house. The open shelves provide lots of space for display and allow easy access to everything from clothes and books to craft supplies, making it easy for my son to keep his things within reach and neatly organised. String brings that same timeless, flexible design into a more contemporary context. It works especially well in small spaces - in a small bedroom, the ability to use vertical space means you can free up valuable floor space, which is a game changer when dealing with clutter.

String furniture — *String Furniture combination in a family room*

The modular design offers versatile configurations that are easily adaptable - it can transform, for example, from simple book storage to a drawer and cupboard combination or even a desk area, adding extra space as your child gets older and their needs change. It’s not the cheapest option, but it provides a fantastic, long-lasting storage solution.

Locker Cabinets

Locker cabinets are fun and functional, and they work brilliantly in kids' bedrooms or playrooms. The Mustard Made brand, in particular, has transformed the traditional locker into something seriously stylish, with a rainbow of colours and a sleek, modern finish. These cabinets are ideal for adding personality to a child’s bedroom while offering practical storage for books, toys, or clothes. Thanks to their slim profiles, they fit neatly into small spaces and can double up as a bedside table, keeping favourite books or night-time essentials within easy reach. Their sturdy metal build makes them durable enough for everyday use, and the internal shelves and hooks mean you can customise them to suit your child's needs as they grow.

Metal locker wardrobe — *Hiba wardrobe from La Redoute in my* *new build boy’s room project*

The La Redoute Hiba range includes a great collection of locker style furniture at affordable prices.

Built-in Storage

Built-in storage is a brilliant way to make the most of every inch of space, especially in a busy family room or living room where toy storage often needs to blend in with the rest of your decor. You can opt for bespoke made furniture to fit awkward layouts perfectly and maximise hidden storage, but there are also more affordable IKEA options that look great.

IKEA PAX wardrobe in boy's room — *IKEA PAX wardrobes at my Edwardian terrace project*

The IKEA PAX system works well as a built-in-style wardrobe in kids' bedrooms. In my Edwardian terrace project, we had the wall built around the PAX wardrobe and painted it the same colour for a built-in effect.

IKEA BESTA for toy storage — *Besta Media Combination at my open-plan living space project in Manchester*

BESTA cabinets are a great budget-friendly solution in shared spaces like a family room or living room. They’re ideal for storing toys, books and small items, and can be customised with doors, drawers or open shelving depending on your needs. In my Manchester open-plan living project, I got a joiner to build a base, add a skirting across the front and a frame around the BESTA combination to give the appearance of a bespoke, built in unit without the price tag. Toys are stored in storage containers in the bottom cupboards, keeping everything tidy and easy to access.

Rattan and wicker baskets

Rattan storage trunk in playroom — *La Redoute* *Semra woven trunk*

Rattan and wicker baskets are a brilliant storage option. As well as being practical, they also add warmth and texture to a child’s room or play area. Lidded hampers or trunks made from rattan or wicker are great for storing large toys without the risk of trapping tiny fingers, making them especially useful for younger children.

For smaller bits and bobs—like cars, train tracks or craft items—consider rattan or seagrass belly baskets, which are easy to move around and look lovely left out on display. Their natural finish works well with most interior styles, and their lightweight design means kids can access their toys independently.

Storage trunks and cases

Storage trunks and cases are a great way to keep clutter under control in a child’s room. They’re perfect for stashing away dressing-up clothes or seasonal items that don’t need to be out every day.

Smaller trunks or vintage-style suitcases can also be used to organise smaller items like puzzles or craft kits and they look lovely stacked beside a bed, doubling up as a bedside table. Trunks are a great option when you want to hide things away quickly to keep the room looking tidy. La Redoute offer a great collection of metal trunks and cases in a range of colours.

Vintage drawers

Vintage chest of drawers in playroom — *Vintage oak chest of drawers in my* *grandchildren’s playroom project*

In an older property, there’s something really lovely about adding vintage drawers to children’s spaces - they’re full of character and super practical too. Whether you’re using them for kids’ clothes or to stash away kids’ toys, they offer loads of storage without looking like typical children’s furniture. You can often pick them up second-hand for a bargain and they’re usually sturdier than newer pieces, which is always a bonus in a space that gets a lot of use. They’re a great way of mixing old and new, adding lots of personality to the room while keeping everything hidden away.

So there you go! There are so many great options out there to suit different spaces and styles - it’s all about choosing pieces that suit your home and work for your family. With the right setup, tidying becomes easier (for everyone!) and your child has a space that feels both functional and fun.

For more tips on personalising your child's space, take a look at my post on how to display kids' wall art to make their room feel even more unique and fun!

I’m a West Yorkshire based interior designer and I provide online design services throughout the UK. If you’re starting a project and would like some help, I’d love to hear from you! Take a look at my online interior design packages and get in touch if you’d like to book a free introductory call.

Clever Kids' Room Storage Ideas to Clear the Clutter