Clever storage ideas for your growing family

From baby gear to children's toys and the ever-expanding pile of shoes, keeping a growing family's home organised can be tricky. 

In an online survey of Which? members, conducted in June 2024, 43% of respondents told us they had tried to increase the amount of storage in their home. 

With the right storage solutions and a bit of creativity, you can transform your space into a functional and clutter-free haven for your loved ones. 

Read on to discover a range of clever storage ideas that are both practical and stylish.

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Start by decluttering

Before investing in new storage solutions, take the time to go through your belongings and decide what you truly need.

A good rule of thumb is, if you haven’t used it for a year, you’re not likely to use it again. You could sell unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace, or give them away to family, friends or charity. 

'Have a good clear out,' advised one Which? member. 'Be honest with yourself about what you actually need to store and whether you really will use it again. If you're storing stuff for children, give it back – they may well have forgotten it and their needs may have changed. Then re-evaluate your storage needs.'

Another rule to live by is 'one in, one out' – every time you buy something new, get rid of something you already own.

For further advice, read our guide on how to declutter your home in three simple steps

Use the vertical space

When we asked Which? members which rooms they struggle with when it comes to storage space, nearly half (48%) said the kitchen or the bedroom, and a third (34%) said the living room.

Utilising the walls as vertical storage space makes a lot of sense if your square footage is limited – as one Which? member put it, 'Look up, not across'. 

If your ceilings are high enough, a shelf over a door is a great spot for items you use less frequently.

Here, we highlight a number of ideas for using the vertical space.

Use tall bookcases or cube storage

Tall bookcases, ladder shelves and cube storage units such as the perennially popular Ikea Kallax are perfect for maximising vertical space. They are especially ideal if you like the idea of wall shelves but don’t want to drill holes in the wall.

Just remember to consider how often you need your items when organising your space – put your most-used items at eye level, and things you need less frequently in higher and lower spots. With cube storage units, you can usually buy boxes and baskets designed to fit perfectly, so you can hide away unsightly items.

Make sure to securely attach any freestanding furniture to the wall to prevent tipping accidents. If your little one has a tendency to climb, ensure their favourite toys are within reach, so as to remove the temptation to climb. Alternatively, if the shelves are adjustable, raise the lowest shelf to a height beyond their reach.  

Add open shelving

Open shelving not only keeps items accessible, it can make a space feel roomier than one with lots of closed cabinets. 

We recommend using open shelving for items that look neat and organised, like boxes of toys or books, rather than more unwieldy items, like stuffed animals, which fall over easily and can look messy. 

Picture shelving, like Ikea's Mosslanda or Dunelm's Picture Ledge, is great for lightweight items like kids books and action figures or dolls, but for heavier items you'll want wall shelves with brackets. 

Be especially careful to check weight limits if you want to add open shelving in the kitchen for heavy items like pots and pans.

Putting up shelves isn’t too difficult for a novice DIY-er (if you aren’t feeling confident, you can use Which? Trusted Traders to find a recommended tradesperson).

Opt for bespoke solutions

Bespoke shelving and storage solutions allow you to really make the most of the space you have – especially when it comes to awkward spots like alcoves, sloping ceilings and any spaces under the stairs.

One Which? member reported using modular furniture from Ikea to create a bespoke, built-in look, which gives you the flexibility to add pieces as your budget allows, or change things that no longer work for you. 

Another member took a different approach: 'Don’t bother spending in dribs and drabs on odd pieces of furniture – save up and find a joiner.' 

Using a professional to create something bespoke will make the most of any awkward spaces and give you a polished finish. 

Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable tradesperson. 

Looking for storage solutions by room? Take a look at our:

• Kitchen storage ideas 
• Bathroom storage ideas 
• Garden storage ideas

Plus, discover the best and worst fitted wardrobe brands according to our research

Use multipurpose furniture

Sofa or sofa bed with storage

A sofa or sofa bed with built-in storage is an ideal solution for small living spaces. 

Remember that these items will be harder to reach, so we wouldn’t recommend using it for stuff you use every day. 

But they’re great for spare bedding or seasonal items like a thick duvet, blankets or coats over the summer months.

A lift-up top coffee table with storage ticks lots of boxes – as well as space to hide the TV remote and your favourite magazines when visitors pop round, the lift-up function transforms your coffee table into a dining table or work station.

Footstool with storage

A footstool with storage combines comfort and super accessible storage – perfect for clutter like chargers, remotes and magazines. Many are also designed to be combined with a large tray on top to create a coffee table, making a great three-in-one accessory.

Bonus points if you go bold and choose a footstool (also commonly referred to as a pouffe) in a complementary colour to your sofa. It’s a great way to brighten up your living room. 

Fold-out furniture

Fold-out furniture is a brilliant way to save space in multifunctional rooms. 

A fold-out bed can be tucked away during the day, transforming the area into a workspace or a playroom. A wall bed or Murphy bed is a clever way to create space in shared bedrooms or a studio space.

Similarly, fold-out desks and benches can be stowed away when not in use, keeping the room neat and adaptable. Folding away your desk is also a great way to signal to yourself that your working day is over, which can help you disconnect after working from home. 

Considering a new sofa? Check out our best sofa brands, rated by real customers

Raise your bed

Storage beds

Storage beds are ideal for small bedrooms, where drawer space may be limited.

Consider options with drawers underneath for more accessible storage, or an Ottoman bed, which lifts up to reveal plentiful storage underneath – ideal for bedding, towels and larger toys that aren’t used very often.

You can get an affordable double storage bed for around £150-£300. Premium ottoman-style beds can cost over £1,500.

If you have space under your current bed, you could simply buy some underbed drawers with wheels on.

Cabin beds and highsleepers

Ideal for smaller kids rooms, cabin beds are elevated off the floor to create space underneath that can be used for storage or a play area. 

Not only are they fun for kids to scramble up into, they’re also a great way to create little reading nooks or colouring dens for rainy days. 

Highsleeper beds are raised high enough to accommodate a desk or even wardrobe underneath. This setup is especially useful for teenagers who need both sleeping and study areas.

Read more about storage beds in our guide to how to buy the best bed

Hallway storage ideas

Hallways can be narrow, so it’s important to use vertical storage solutions when optimising this space. 

Anything wall-mounted can work well – think shoe racks, coat hooks and units that combine shelves with hooks. 

If you want to include a cabinet, consider a taller unit with a mix of open shelves and cupboards or drawers for bags, brollies, gloves and hats. 

If you’d like a bench to sit on while you take your shoes on and off, consider one with storage underneath. 

Under stair storage ideas

The space under stairs is often under-utilized, but it can be transformed into valuable storage – don’t just fill it with your old plastic bags and forget about it!

Adding furniture to this space, such as drawers, shelves, shoe racks or cabinets, will help keep it organised in the long-term. 

You can opt for freestanding furniture, which is likely to be cheaper, and easier to rearrange, or maximise your space with built-in under-stair storage. Both Hammonds and Sharps offer bespoke under-stair solutions.   

One Which? member reported using modular furniture from Ikea to create a bespoke and built-in look, which gives you the flexibility to add pieces as your budget allows, or change things that no longer work for you. 

Another member took a different approach: 'Don’t bother spending in dribs and drabs on odd pieces of furniture – save up and find a joiner.' 

Using a professional to create something bespoke will make the most of any awkward spaces and give you a polished finish. Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable tradesperson. 

Support your growing family: Our expert advice can help you make the right choices, from improving your home to planning your finances

Shoe storage ideas

Before you start organising your shoes, group them by how much they get used – your everyday trainers should be more easily accessible than your special-occasion shoes. 

For everyday shoes, over-the-door organisers are a great way to maximise vertical space, while shoe cabinets work great in a hallway. 

Shoes you use less frequently can be stored in roll-up shoe organisers to save space, or in boxes in the wardrobe or under the bed. 

In-step storage, where a carpenter creates drawers within the steps of a staircase, is also a clever and discreet way to store shoes. 

Toy storage ideas

Ikea toy storage

When it comes to toy storage, simple is better. Kids might be prepared to rummage around to find their favourite toys before playtime, but they are much less likely to put them away after. 

With accessible solutions, you're more likely to succeed in creating a tidying away routine once playtime has finished. Why not try making a game out of it? 

The Ikea Kallax is a popular and affordable choice – you can use a mix of open cube and storage boxes to keep cool things on display and messier stuff tucked away.   

Lego storage ideas

Lego bricks are notoriously difficult to keep organized. 

The Ikea Trofast can be a great option for a more dedicated Lego user – it features colourful interchangeable bins, shelves and units, so you can easily make the perfect system for you. 

You can also find all sorts of solutions on Amazon, such as stackable boxes with Lego-board lids, and playmats that can be rolled up with all the bricks inside.

Lego itself even offers storage boxes in the shape of Lego bricks. 

Stackable boxes

Using boxes and baskets to store your children's toys has a number of advantages: not only are they easily accessible, you can easily rotate toys within the system according to preference, and ensure the toys are stored at an easy-to-reach height. 

Consider colour-coding your storage, adding labels, or storage you can stack (again to optimise vertical space). See-through boxes, while not the most aesthetically pleasing, make it easy to see what's inside at a glance. 

Soft toy storage ideas

Consider using fabric bins or decorative baskets that complement your decor, making toy storage both functional and attractive. They're quite on trend at the moment, meaning they're widely available at a range of prices from popular high street retailers.

Wire baskets and hammocks are excellent for storing soft toys, keeping them off the floor and within easy reach. 

Hammocks can be hung in corners or against walls, creating a fun and whimsical display for children's bedrooms or playrooms. 

Some wire baskets can be wall mounted, and might be more practical than hammocks for grab-and-go toys. Others can be placed on shelves or under beds.

Some parents even remove the stuffing from bean bags and fill them with soft toys instead – the perfect storage hack that also provides extra seating.

Redecorating the kids' rooms? Check out our kids bedroom ideas for inspiration and advice

Make the most of your space by zoning

Zoning your rooms can help your space feel less cluttered and more functional, because you can optimise each area to suit your needs. Your zones might include a relaxing space, working-from-home space and play space.

Start by designating different areas for different activities. You don’t need a lot of room to do this – for example, your working area can just be a desk. 

Then use items to create a sense of that space as a unit. Consider using different lighting options, area rugs, or even painting a statement wall. Room dividers can also help. 

Try to store everything you need in the correct zone, and if you don’t have space for it, or don’t really need it, can you get rid of it?

Consider a home renovation

Home renovations are expensive, but you may be able to create extra storage space without committing to an extension.

In our survey, 17% of Which? members told us they boarded their loft to create more storage space, and a further 5% built or bought a new garden shed or outbuilding. A few also mentioned building cupboards into or adding shelves to alcoves.

But with a growing family, sometimes you simply need more space. If you are considering an extension, our home extension advice guides cover costs, planning and building regulations. Take a look at our loft conversion advice, too.

Need some temporary storage space? Read our guide on how to get the most out of self storage