Forget eyesores like plastic bins or toy chests that just don't fit in with your stylish decor to store toys in public spaces such as living rooms. There are far more fashionable ways to hide toys and the inevitable kid clutter that ends up all over the floor and in every corner when you've got kids.
Here are three alternatives to keeping the clutter at bay in an attractive manner:
Bookshelf Toy Storage
Table Ottoman: These cool ottomans reveal a secret that no one but you and your child has to know about. Flip open the top and the inside sports plenty of room to store your kid's stuff. Shut the lid and the ottoman is an elegant cocktail table that serves a dual purpose. Leather is a great choice as it wipes clean in a breeze. Look for one with child-proof hinges that won't shut down on tiny fingers.
Window Seat Box: You can buy one, or if you're handy you can easily make one of these attractive boxes that fit right below a window. When closed, a window seat provides a fantastic spot to read a good book with a great view. And once you lift the top, this box doubles as a spot to hide the mess that no one will know about.
Baskets: If your budget is super tight and you're not the DIY type, a large basket can do the trick to pack toys out of view. You can slip smaller baskets onto a bookcase shelf or even in a cabinet, while a bigger basket with a cover can be tucked next to a chair to double as an end table.
Get creative with any extra room in the kitchen or even a built-in, as these can be the ideal spot to hide some of the clutter, too. If you must stick to plastic containers, opt for something you can hide under an end table or behind a big club chair. Shallow containers that can slide under the couch to hold books or smaller toys like blocks are easy to put out of sight when guests arrive.
Make sure to teach kids to quickly pick up toys at the end of the day and toss them into these boxes. Avoid just piling toys in a corner if at all possible, as the point is to keep them out of view entirely so your home doesn't look like a daycare center when family and friends drop by.