Montessori-Inspired Toy Storage (Even If You Don’t Have a Playroom)

Simple Playroom Organisation (Even Without a Playroom!)

If you've ever tripped over a pile of wooden blocks or found a doll tucked under the sofa cushions (again), you're not alone. Keeping toys organised can feel like an endless task when you’ve got little ones at home. But here's the good news: you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect playroom to create a calm and inviting space for your child to play. In fact, you don’t even need a playroom at all.

Whether it’s a shelf in the living room or a corner of their bedroom, it is possible to create a thoughtful play space that works for your home and your family. And with a few gentle nods to Montessori principles, you can make it even easier for your baby, toddler or pre-schooler to play independently (and tidily... well, sometimes!).

Why Less Is More

Montessori-inspired play isn’t about having all the toys – it’s about having the right toys, presented in a way that helps your child choose, focus and explore at their own pace. One of the simplest ways to do this is by reducing toy overwhelm. If everything’s jumbled in a big toy box, it can be hard for your child to see what’s available, and that often means they’ll either ignore it all or dump it out looking for something they can’t find.

Instead, try rotating toys. Keep a few favourites out on a shelf and pop the rest away in a cupboard or under-bed box. You’ll be amazed how exciting something feels when it’s been ‘away’ for a while!

Set Up a Simple Shelf

You don’t need anything fancy - just a low, accessible surface where your child can see and reach their toys easily. This could be:

• A cube shelf in the living room
• A low bookshelf in their bedroom
• Even a couple of baskets tucked under the coffee table

Place just a few toys on display – ideally things that encourage open-ended play, like wooden blocks, puzzles, stacking toys or a small pretend play set. You could pop a few books in a basket too, so it feels inviting without being overwhelming.

Keep It Calm and Cosy

The goal isn’t to make your home look like a classroom - it’s to create a space where your child feels safe, calm and engaged. A cosy rug, a cushion to sit on, and a basket or two can make a huge difference.

Labelled baskets or picture cues can help older toddlers and pre-schoolers learn where things go, and tidying up becomes part of the play - not just another job for you at the end of the day.

Make It Work for Your Life

Most of us don’t have endless space, and toys will always find their way into the kitchen or the hallway or the bath (yep, wooden animals do love a dip!). That’s just life with little ones. But having one small, consistent spot for toys gives your child a sense of order and makes your space feel less chaotic too.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Some weeks the shelves might look lovely and organised, and other weeks they’ll be piled high with everything from train tracks to tea sets - and that’s OK.

A Final Thought

Montessori-inspired doesn’t mean expensive or strict. It simply means creating an environment that supports your child’s natural curiosity and growing independence. And with a little bit of thought and a lot of grace, you can do that beautifully - whether you’ve got a whole playroom or just a single shelf.

Looking for wooden toys that work beautifully in small spaces?
Our collection is designed with real families in mind - high-quality, traditional toys that spark imagination without taking over your home. Our range of baskets and trays can also help keep things organised. Have a browse https://torsstory.com or follow along on Instagram (@tors.story) for more tips and inspiration.