Best Toy Storage Bins for Small Spaces in Australia

Introduction

Why Smart Toy Storage is Essential for Small Homes

If you live in an apartment, townhome, or just have a compact space for your kids to play, toy clutter can get out of hand fast. And when space is limited, every inch matters. That’s where the magic of toy storage bins comes in—they're versatile, functional, and designed to keep chaos at bay.

Whether you're a minimalist parent trying to maintain order or just tired of tripping over action figures and stuffed toys, the right storage bins can transform your space. These bins aren’t just about storage; they’re about creating systems that work in real homes, especially in smaller Australian spaces where multifunctional furniture and clever organization are essential.

Smart toy storage lets your child easily find their favourite toys, encourages independence during cleanup time, and keeps your home looking neat without sacrificing fun. Bonus? Bins can double as decor when chosen well—think colour-coordinated sets, stylish fabric boxes, and themed containers that match your child’s personality.

Benefits of Toy Storage Bins Over Other Storage Types

Why choose toy storage bins over large toy chests or bulky cabinets? Simple: flexibility.

Toy bins can be:

Stacked to maximize vertical space
Moved around to different rooms
Grouped by toy type (like one for LEGO, one for dolls)
Used under beds, inside closets, or in cube shelves
Accessible to toddlers and young kids without help

Unlike heavy drawers or furniture, bins are lightweight and kid-friendly. Your toddler can grab their trucks or plushies and—ideally—put them back just as easily. This boosts their independence and makes clean-up feel less like a chore.

Plus, bins come in all shapes, sizes, and materials—meaning there's a perfect fit for every space, style, and storage need.

What Makes a Great Toy Storage Bin?

Size and Stackability

When it comes to small spaces, stackability is your best friend. Bins that stack securely let you take advantage of vertical storage without needing built-in shelves or complicated systems.

Here’s what to consider:

Shallow bins work well under beds or inside narrow cupboards.
Tall bins are ideal for lightweight, bulky toys like plushies.
Medium stackable boxes strike a balance between size and manageability.

Choosing bins that are uniform in size makes stacking easier and creates a cleaner look, which is especially helpful if your toy storage is visible in a living area or shared room.

Material (Fabric, Plastic, Wood)

The best toy storage bins aren’t just about size—they’re about the right material for your home and child’s needs.

Fabric bins: Soft, collapsible, often stylish. Great for plush toys or gentle storage. Some even have lids or handles for easy movement.
Plastic bins: Durable, wipeable, and stackable. Ideal for arts and crafts, LEGO, and any messy or wet toys.
Wood bins: Heavier and more permanent. They work well as part of larger storage furniture (like Playkitchen’s organizer racks) and add a polished look to the room.

Pro tip: Mix and match materials based on what you're storing. Use plastic for crafts, fabric for soft toys, and wood for display items.

Portability and Access for Kids

If your kids can’t reach the bins—or they’re too heavy to move—clean-up is going to be a battle. A great storage bin should be easy for little hands to carry, open, and close. Look for:

Built-in handles or cut-outs
Wheels for larger bins
Lids that are easy to open or flip-back designs
Bins with pictures or labels so non-readers know what goes where

Bins that empower kids to take charge of their space encourage independence, responsibility, and pride in a clean room.

Design That Blends with Your Home

Gone are the days when toy storage had to look like it came straight from a daycare centre. Today’s best bins are:

Neutral-toned for minimalist homes
Theme-matching for playful rooms (think cars, animals, pastel prints)
Designed to look like decor, not clutter

Look for bins that complement your furniture, especially if toys live in shared spaces like the living room. Brands like Playkitchen offer stylish, well-crafted storage bins that look just as good as they function.

Top 5 Toy Storage Bins for Aussie Homes

#1 – Playkitchen Car-Themed Stackable Toy Boxes (Set of 3)

Shop Now → Car-Themed Toy Storage Box Set

These bright, cheerful, and stackable toy bins are a must-have for parents with car-crazy kids and limited space.

Why We Love It:

Stackable design saves space while adding vertical storage
Lightweight and easy for kids to access
Fun car faces make clean-up time exciting
Great for toys, books, clothes, or art supplies

These bins work beautifully in a small bedroom, under a loft bed, or tucked beside a reading nook. Plus, their compact design means you can line them up against a wall without making the space feel cluttered.

#2 – Soft Fabric Collapsible Bins for Plushies

Soft toy storage ideas start here. Fabric bins are perfect for stuffed animals, dolls, and delicate toys that don’t stack well.

Key Features:

Collapsible for storage when not in use
Soft edges for toddler safety
Handles for carrying around the house
Comes in various colours and prints

These bins are also a great fit inside cube shelves or playroom corners. Add image labels for plushie types (bears, dolls, etc.) to make sorting fun and visual.

#3 – Clear Plastic Lidded Bins for LEGO and Craft

Clear plastic bins are a lifesaver for organizing small parts like LEGO, beads, or art supplies. They help your child find what they need without dumping everything out—a must in small spaces where floor messes are harder to ignore.

Why These Are a Must:

Transparent for easy viewing
Stackable with clip-on lids to prevent spills
Durable and easy to clean
Available in various sizes for sorting by color or type

Keep them under the bed, on a shelf, or in a closet. Add labels (or color-code them) to make finding and cleaning up a fast, no-fuss task.

#4 – Multi-Compartment Organizer Bins with Labels

If you’re a parent who loves structure (or you have a little one who thrives on it), multi-compartment storage bins are the perfect solution. These bins come divided into sections so you can sort toys by type, size, or theme.

Best Features:

Comes with built-in sections or removable dividers
Often includes labels or writable panels
Encourages sorting and visual organization
Great for puzzle pieces, action figures, and building sets

These bins are ideal for school-aged kids who have a wide range of smaller toys. They also fit easily into closets or storage cubes.

#5 – Rolling Toy Box with Easy-Pull Handle (Playkitchen)

Shop Now → Playkitchen Toy Box on Wheels

Need a bin that goes where your kids go? This rolling toy box is made for mobile play and easy cleanup.

Why It’s Perfect for Small Homes:

Wheels for easy moving between rooms
Deep storage capacity for large or mixed toys
Simple design that blends into any room
Side handles for grab-and-go convenience

Ideal for living rooms or multi-use spaces, this toy box lets you roll out the fun in the morning and wheel it all away at night—no clutter left behind.

Best Toy Storage Bins by Room Type

Living Room-Friendly Storage That Looks Stylish

If your child's toys live in the main living space, aesthetics matter. Go for bins that double as decor—think natural wood tones, canvas baskets, or boxes with sleek finishes. Choose lids to keep things hidden and opt for neutral colours that blend with your furniture.

Use bins that can be:

Stored under coffee tables
Tucked into open shelving
Hidden inside storage ottomans or sideboards

Bedroom Bins for Daily Use

In bedrooms, functionality comes first. Choose open bins with soft edges that make daily cleanup a breeze. Labelled fabric bins in a shelf or cube unit are ideal, especially for sorting books, plushies, and everyday toys.

Best bedroom storage bin features:

Lightweight and kid-accessible
Safe for toddlers
Available in fun prints or coordinated sets
Works in tight spaces, like beside beds or under nightstands

Playroom Bins That Encourage Sorting and Clean-Up

The playroom is the heart of your toy organization strategy. Use multiple stackable bins or a storage tower with pull-out drawers to encourage sorting by category. Add images to labels for younger kids.

Best practices:

Assign a bin to each toy group (blocks, puzzles, dolls, etc.)
Use clear bins for easy visibility
Place favorite toys on the bottom for accessibility

Systems like the Playkitchen 3-Tier Toy Storage Kids Bookshelf with Bins and Drawers offer the ideal setup for keeping your playroom organized without overwhelming your child.

Toy Storage Bin Tips for Small Spaces

Use Vertical Space and Corners

When floor space is at a premium, think up—not out. Use stackable bins, tall shelving units, or wall-mounted organizers to keep toys accessible but off the ground. Even the corners of your child’s room can become functional with the right bins.

Pro tips:

Stack clear bins to see what’s inside
Use corner shelves for display-style toy storage
Install wall hooks to hang fabric bins or mesh toy bags

Vertical storage not only saves space but also helps keep clutter under control and gives your little one visual access to their belongings.

Rotate Toys Monthly

You don’t need to display every toy your child owns all at once. In fact, rotating toys every few weeks keeps things feeling new and exciting without buying anything new.

How to do it:

Divide toys into 3–4 groups.
Use labelled bins or storage bags to keep each group separate.
Swap them out every 2–4 weeks.

Store non-displayed toys in the garage, a closet, or under the bed using shallow storage boxes. Bins like the Playkitchen Toy Box on Wheels make it easy to rotate collections without any heavy lifting.

Label Everything Clearly

Labelling isn’t just for you—it helps kids become independent organizers. Whether your child is a reader or not, you can use:

Words (for older kids)
Pictures or icons (for toddlers)
Color codes (for quick sorting)

Use reusable chalkboard labels, printable icons, or pre-made tags. Stick them on bins, shelves, or even inside drawers.

This visual system reduces confusion and helps build consistent habits during clean-up time.

Where to Buy Quality Toy Storage in Australia

Explore Playkitchen’s Toy Storage Collection

For stylish, durable, and space-saving toy storage bins made with real families in mind, check out Playkitchen’s Toy Storage Collection. Whether you need soft bins for plush toys, stackable boxes for LEGO, or rolling toy boxes for flexibility, they have something for every room and every age.

Why parents love Playkitchen:

Designed for Australian homes—perfect for compact spaces
Kid-safe and easy to use
Visually appealing for playrooms, bedrooms, or shared spaces
Highly rated by parents across Australia

Each product is made to maximize storage while minimizing clutter, helping you create a more functional, stylish, and fun space for your little one.

FAQs About Toy Storage Bins in Australia

Q1: What size toy storage bin is best for small rooms?

Choose bins that are medium-sized and stackable. Too large, and they overwhelm the space; too small, and you’ll end up needing too many. Go for boxes that fit neatly under beds, in closets, or on bookshelves.

Q2: How do I organize soft toys without bulky storage?

Use soft fabric bins, mesh bags, or wall-mounted hammocks. They're lightweight, flexible, and perfect for displaying plush toys without using valuable floor space.

Q3: Are toy storage bins safe for toddlers?

Yes—just choose bins with soft edges, no small detachable parts, and easy-to-open lids. Products from Playkitchen are specifically designed with child safety in mind.

Q4: Where should I store toy bins if I don’t have a dedicated playroom?

Try rolling bins under tables, stacking boxes in closets, or using dual-purpose furniture like a bench with built-in storage. These solutions keep toys organized without crowding shared spaces.

Q5: Can I use toy storage bins for more than just toys?

Absolutely! Use them for books, school supplies, clothes, craft materials, or seasonal decorations. Their versatility makes them a smart long-term investment for any room.

Conclusion: Small Space, Big Toy Storage Wins

Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to live with toy chaos. With the right toy storage bins, you can create a clean, organized environment that works for you and your child. From stackable boxes to rolling bins, soft fabric totes to clear organizers, there’s a smart solution for every need.

And when you shop with Playkitchen, you’re not just buying storage—you’re investing in better play, easier cleanup, and a more peaceful home.

Explore their Toy Storage Collection to find the perfect bins for your space and give your child the organized, clutter-free play zone they deserve.