When I became a mom for the first time, I realized right away how much "stuff" comes along with having kids.  When my son outgrew his baby things, I was relieved that I would finally have room in my house again for other important things...like furniture!   I soon realized, though, that with each stage of childhood comes a barrage of new things.  Since I have been working hard to devise a better way of keeping my own toddler's "stuff" organized, I thought I'd share a few ideas that have been helpful.  I realize that everyone has varying degrees of space where they live, but I know that a few of these things have worked in my home as well as a friend's apartment.  Perhaps you'll find a couple of ideas that you, too, can implement.

Here are some of my own rules for keeping my toddler organized.

1.  Don't live without a toy bin!

These toy bin organizers are available on eBay and at other stores as well.  I like to make general categories for toys so that I know they'll be put back correctly.  In other words, I have one bin for puzzles, another for books, another for vehicles, and so on.  I have friends, on the other hand, who are very organized.  Their categories are much more specific. In my own experience, I have found that toy categories that are too narrow only result in one big mess since my son is too young to understand them.  I would rather have him put them away then sort them myself.

2.  A toy box is essential for big toys, but make sure it has a shelf on it as well!

I got lucky and found my toy box at a garage sale for $5, but I know these are available on eBay.  This one is a Step 2 toy box, and what makes it unique is the shelf that sits above the box.  I use the toy box for large or oversized toys only.  That way smaller pieces don't get lost in the bottom of the box, which also means that my son doesn't have to throw everything out of the box when searching for something.  What I like most about this particular toy box, though, is the shelf.  I found a couple of cute storage bins and use them to store books.  Some toy boxes have a small stacked bookshelf on top.  I think that if you are going to take space to place a toy box, you should milk it for all it's worth.  That's why I like having the bonus shelf storage on top.  (Notice also that new toy boxes have a safety feature.  The lid has a small opening at the bottom so that if kids are trapped they can breathe and get out much easier.) 

3.  In a play area, keep toys at different heights so that kids can see them and play with them easier.

I have noticed that a lot of playrooms are lined with toy crates around the perimeter of the room.  Sure, the room looks organized, but kids don't want to play in these rooms because they can't see or find the toys they want.  I have found that purchasing a few different sizes of  play tables has made all the difference in our toy room.  My son loves to go to his playroom because his toys are set up and easy to play with.  Sure, the room doesn't always look perfect or packed away, but the payoff is that I get a few minutes to myself when he goes to play!  The top picture shows the play table and chairs that holds his kitchen. If he needs to sit and color, we simply take the kitchen off the table.  This keeps the kitchen out of the way but also at a good height so that my toddler can see and play with it.  In the second picture, the Little Tikes play table can be raised up or down depending on the height of the child.  It also has four storage bins on the sides as well as room underneath for more toys.  This way, all of his Little People items are in one place, and they are easily accessible.

4.  Books should be stored in storage bins.  If book shelves are used, place books in bins first!

Have you ever noticed how annoying children's books can be?  They are of varying sizes and thicknesses, and their slick covers keep them from all standing together in an organized fashion.  I decided right away that I wasn't going to fight with a book shelf, because there was no way to keep it organized once I set it up.  I wanted my son to be able to look for books--AND, more importantly, put them back when finished.  Storage bins and crates work great for this purpose, and the bins themselves can be placed on shelves if you so desire.

5.  If stuffed animals are taking over your home, place them out of the way!

When you have kids, it seems as though your stuffed animal population multiplies on a daily basis!  Since these are things my son plays with only on occasion, we can keep them out of the way for the most part.  The pictures show the two different ways I deal with stuffed animals at my house.  The top picture shows a wooden shelf for storing his animals, which also looks cute in his room.  The bottom picture shows a wooden hook  I've painted and hung another stuffed animal on.  These are both some inexpensive ways to decorate a kids' room while providing storage as well. 

6. Hooded towels can be tamed with a simple coat rack!

Hooded towels are great for babies and toddlers, but they're hard to deal with.  Because of the way they're made, they're awkward to fold or hang.  I bought a simple wall coat rack, and the hooded towels hang on it neatly and out of the way.

7.  Bathrooms can be easily cluttered with toys, stools, and other items, so find items that can serve a dual purpose!

We keep some of our toys inside the shower in a toy storage bag with suction cups, but we've found that those bags just don't hold a whole lot of toys.  This step stool by the First Years is great because the top opens for storage underneath.  The stool allows me to perch near the tub when my son is taking a bath, and it's a stool he sometimes uses to reach the sink.

On a side note, the diaper storage caddy that stored my son's diapers and wipes has become a great place to keep his bath wash, shampoo, and lotion.  It fits on the back of the toilet and out of the way.

8.  If you inherit (or buy) clothes that are too big for your child, be sure to size them so they're easy to keep track of!

Buying clothing sizers is something that a friend recommended once, and I didn't see the value in it immediately.  But when I started getting clothes that were of varying sizes, I realized right away that I could easily forget about clothes if they weren't sorted--and my son could outgrow them before I'd realized it!

9.  Keep toys that are not yet age appropriate out of the way.

All too often, my son is given toys and games that he's not yet ready for.  By storing these items up on a closet shelf, it serves two purposes.  First, it keeps him from ruining things that he's not yet ready for.  Second, it prevents him from being bored with things that he can't yet understand.  In other words, by giving toys to kids too early, they are often "done" with them before they're really ready to use them in the first place!

10.  Don't be afraid to put something in the center of the room.

My final piece of advice for dealing with toddler stuff is to not be afraid to put something in the center of a room.  All too often, kids' rooms have things on the outside edge and nothing in the middle.  By leaving one bigger item set up in the middle of the room, you are inviting your toddler to sit and play.  By keeping toys at varying heights around the outside edge of the room AND by placing one larger thing in the middle, you are creating different play spaces all over the room.  The result is a play room or area that is user-friendly and fun to look at.

I hope that you can take something useful from the ideas I've presented.  I have found that they have worked well in my home, as well as the homes of a few friends and family members.  Good luck!