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When you have kids, toys inevitably follow. Your once neat and tidy home can quickly become a minefield of blocks, dolls, trains, action figures, and dress up clothes. Stepping around (or on) all of these things gets old very, very fast.
 
And yet, effective toy storage is something that seems to evade many parents and households. Finding a toy storage solution that works for your home and your family can make a huge difference in your home’s atmosphere. Here are five steps to take to overhaul your toy storage. Get ready to make your life a whole lot simpler.
 

1. Clear Out.
 
This step might not be a lot of fun, but it’s crucial to getting to a good place when it comes to toy storage in your home. Take time to throw away any toys that aren’t played with anymore—or, even better, toys that you just don’t like. Try to do this when your children aren’t around (they seem to get most attached to the toys you want to throw away). Not sure if you can or should get rid of something? Keep it in a box in a storage unit; that will keep it out of the way, but still give you time to change your mind about getting rid of it.
 

2. Take Inventory

 
Once you’ve gotten rid of the toys you don’t want anymore, take an inventory of the toys you have left. What sizes are they? Do you have a bunch of small toys, or sets with small pieces, that need small, clear boxes for storage? Or do you have large toys that don’t make sense to keep in a box? Try to sort things into categories, and see how many categories you end up with. This will help immensely on the next step.
 

3. Find the Right Boxes

 
It might be tempting to just head to your local big-box store and pull out the first plastic storage boxes you see, but if you do that, you might get something that doesn’t really fit your needs, and therefore doesn’t actually make your life any easier. There are so many different kinds and sizes of boxes out there; you are sure to find something that works perfectly for your needs, if you just hunt around a little bit. Use your data from your inventory to make sure you get enough of the right types and sizes.
 

4. Find “a place for everything.”

 
Now that you have everything organized into categories and hopefully put away in the perfect boxes, it’s time to find a place to actually put it all. Depending on the size of your storage boxes, you might be able to get away with a small bookshelf or cubby-style storage unit. If you have a closet close to your play area, you can definitely use that to your advantage. Take your time to find just the right place for everything; it will pay off in the long run!
 

5. Set Up a System

 
Now that everything has been sorted and put away, it’s time to figure out how to keep it there! Establish a cleaning system that works for your home and family. You might set a rule that only one box of toys can be out at a time, and that it has to be put away before another box comes out. You might have a designated “clean up” time every day, when your family takes ten minutes or so to clean up the day’s messes. Whatever system you choose, be consistent. Remind yourself (and your kids) of the system often, and it will quickly become a habit for everyone.
 
Following these five steps can help you control the toy chaos and get your home back in order.
 
Arizona Storage Centers help families organize, move, and store their belongings in the Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler, Deer Valley, and Gilbert areas. Contact us at 480-386-6022 today to see how our safe storage facilities and friendly staff can help you with all your self storage needs.