Guest Blog: 7 Tips for Displaying Toys in Your Home
If you have children or babies, you know how hard it can be to simply keep toys organized, let alone trying to achieve an aesthetically pleasing look while displaying them throughout the home. There is a lot to consider while making decisions on where things will go, such as how often do they play with those toys, are they in an easily accessible spot that still looks nice? While trying to figure out the best place to display your child’s faves sounds challenging to do, it is possible! Here are seven tips to keep in mind for displaying children’s toys in your home.
Tip #1: Narrow down options, involve your child
Before you start, you’ll want to answer a few questions about the types of toys you’d like to display. Are the toys frequently used? Collectibles? Used once in a while? Once you think you’ve narrowed down your display pieces, talk to your child about it. Even better, get the child involved in the process.
Explain your ideas for displaying certain toys. Maybe it’s grandpa’s old Little League baseball and it’s a good idea to keep it covered in a small display case. Or maybe it’s your child’s favorite soccer ball. And maybe you want to set it on a special stand where they can access it daily. Maybe you have action figures that would look great on display, but you know your child will also want to play with them frequently. So, you might consider a specialty assortment tray that holds them all. These are just some of the situations you might come across.
Tip #2: Floating shelves for a cool look and keeping things safe
Floating shelves bring attention to anything that’s placed on them. They can nurture a sense of pride for you and your child by prominently displaying a toy or keepsakes. Use them above desks, or scatter or zig-zag them on walls to capture attention when you walk in the room. If you’re afraid a busy child may want to reach for something on a floating shelf and possibly break it, installing them at the proper height can keep the toy safe, too.
Tip #3: Crates are great
Wood-colored or painted crates are not just a great way to store items. If you have four, five or more rectangular crates, stack them upright and horizontally all together or in clusters of a few. The tops are perfect spots for that stand-out toy. Place that toy dinosaur, large action figure or your child’s favorite car there. You can also designate the inside of one of the crates as a place to display a special toy, too, though that will be a little more hands-off.
Tip #4: Bookshelves aren’t just for books
The top of a bookcase or even spaces between and in front of actual books themselves are perfect spots to display smaller toys. And, books themselves are great for displaying as well. Place your child’s favorite one on an acrylic holder to make it accessible and visible.
Tip #5: Use the flexibility of cubbies
Cubbies are among the most popular furniture pieces these days for parents trying to keep their kids’ toys organized, but they’re great for displaying toys, too! Add a pop of color with vibrant baskets inside some of the cubby spaces. Use these for storage and leave several cubby spaces open for displaying playthings.
Don’t forget—most cubbies are rectangular. That means you can probably set them horizontally or vertically. Just like bookshelves, don’t be afraid to use those tops to give attention to toys that carry sentimental value and aren’t used much.
Tip #6: Bunk bed fun
Create your own little display area under the bunk! Make it your child’s personal museum or designate it for play where you can display things, too. You can also create a nook or alcove that captures the attention of anyone visiting for the first time. It can be a great place for your child to read and for you to park a small bookcase, crates or cubbies inside so you can highlight toys or books that are important to your child. Experiment with labels and signs as well. Name the space and hang a sign above it!
Tip #7: Supplies as displays
Don’t overlook how cool your child’s storage containers or bags of supplies can look as display pieces. If your child loves art, a large supply bag or case where pens, papers, brushes and paints are stored may look great alongside an easel or even in a designated art area. Even though the items may be used a lot doesn’t mean the tools of your child’s play can’t contribute to the room’s theme and overall appeal.
Don’t forget to have fun!
Remember to enjoy the process. Let your creativity run alongside your child’s. You may be surprised by the ideas you come up with and how much of a bonding experience creating toy displays can be.
About the Author:
Ray Ko has been creating effective visual merchandising and interior design strategies for retailers for more than 20 years. Today, he is the senior e-commerce manager for shopPOPdisplays, a leading designer and manufacturer of stock and custom acrylic product.