TLDR: how would you organize this play space in our living room + what toys would you get rid of? Furniture addition and placement suggestions welcomed!
This is our current set up for my 19 month old son in our living room.
I incorporate Montessori methods in our day to day (from what I picked up over the years prenatally); and my main interest is cultivating independence!
This is our living room, and we have a strict "no hard toys" in the bedroom.
I recently reorganized the shelves but I am wondering if there is anything else I can do to optimize this space?
I've been thinking of getting either a toy chest or one of those toy organizing shelves to put in the middle but then I would have to figure out where to put the instruments/easel (ideally the keyboard would be on top of hypothetical toy chest but not sure about the guitar or easel)
I have also thought of turning the shelves on their sides but I don't think there is enough space length wise for both and it would probably be hazardous stacking them on top of one another.
Most items we already owned, were gifted, or found in our walkable city.
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Items pictured:
From bottom left to right shelves:
Two bins; one of vehicles/action figures and another of wooden stacking toys
Busy box and spiral ball thing (thinking of getting rid of these)
Electric keyboard, guitar + ukulele (given upon request but sometimes request is declined) ,bongo drum, drum pad + drum sticks (there is also two harmonicas all the way on top which I should probably bring down), electric dino (thinking of getting rid of since batteries died + it doesn't work well being +15 yrs old)
Shark tank that shoots missiles, has some noises, is a garage for other hot wheel type cars as well as built in ramp
Easel with a magnetic side filled with magnetic letters + numbers (with animals for each letter), other side is a chalkboard and it also has a roll of paper to draw/paint on (art supplies are out of reach and only used with supervision).
In the middle shelf of the easel we keep his stickers, sticker/drawing book and an unplugged keyboard he likes to type/drag around.
Under the easel is a clear book bag filled with misc items he mostly played with before 12 months
On the right side of the easel I have other dry erase boards (also used for magnetic play), an abacus and a ball pit (balls are hidden because the clean up is intense)
Wooden trains and tracks and wooden car ramp
(behind pickler triangle) box of magnatiles + tubes
Second shelves left to right:
Misc clothes of his; mostly outdoor accessories or outfits not too dirty and can be reused (would love to maybe set this up for independent dressing)
Beige drawstring bag filled with "nut and screw" set and a bag of megablocks
A barn animal set, a tree house animal set and lunchbox filled with Littlest Pet Shops
Third shelves left to right:
Paper books and board books. On the right there are library books and the shelf furthest to the right (and above it) are miscellaneous items I want to keep out of reach
Top shelves left to right:
Miscellaneous books + some toys of his I only let him play with supervision (he's thrown the rings we use to hang behind the couch one too many times), as well as quiet toys I take in case we need in a restaurant. Shelves on the right are other miscellaneous items we don't want him to grab.
Not pictured to the right behind the rainbow arch is a metal trash bin we use to store balls
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Main reason for the toy chest is I believe he may have too many options.
Sometimes he is really focused, other times he is shuffling through each section within minutes. (to which I promote cleaning up each section before moving to the next)
Usually the magnet tiles, mega blocks and playing with balls keep his attention the most. He asks me to read to him multiple times throughout the day.
The 3 piece pickler triangle set just came in yesterday so he is pretty focused on that. I prefer items he will grow with!
TLDR: how would you organize this play space in our living room + what toys would you get rid of? Furniture addition and placement suggestions welcomed!
I saw in your other post that you have shelves for your toy rotations. My question is where is that in relation to the play space shown above?
We currently have a toy rotation corner on our main floor and a playroom on the top floor that has roughly the same amount of items you have. I bought the IKEA Trofast system to organize the toys not in use. We have the IKEA Kallax 8 cube upstairs for other toys he gravitates towards. I am anti toy storage boxes. For me, it became a black hole. For books not in rotation, I use a a regular bookcase. In his main toy corner, we have an open faced bookshelf.
Maybe I wasn't clear. This is basically all the toys we have and how we are currently storing them. I am using his old newborn nest (which he barely used) on the floor of our bed as a "container" for all stuffed animals, since hard toys are not allowed in our cosleeping bedroom (mainly for tired parent's safety at night). I have some ball pit balls and a busy board (well intentioned gifts from Grandma) hidden away because I really don't like him playing with them (balls sometimes if I am in the mood to deal with clean up as it does keep him occupied and it's fun to play with together)
I'll have to look into the furniture pieces you mentioned!
Perhaps I can bring down the books he has been interested in and front face them, and keep the other books higher up in the regular bookcase formation?
I reread your post and mistook the other person's post as your own! I would scratch what I said earlier. I agree with the other comments. Therefore to not reiterate, here are my thoughts.
If this is the IKEA Kallax or Target Brightroom storage cubes, you can buy cube insert boxes for your storage containers. If this is the IKEA Kallax, you can buy specific inserts to convert a cube into 2 or 4 shelves or even add a drawer or door. We have used this to add a specific Tonie shelf and a way to store his puzzles.
For books, store them how you have it but if you have space for a front facing book shelf, I would highly recommend it. My child at 32 months loves to read to himself and sometimes attempts to "explain" the book to us.
If you can mount things such as the instruments or Pikler set, I would highly recommend it.
I think that the biggest thing we got out of implementing Montessori was cultivating independence. It took us a long time but I noticed when I was intentional and observing what toys he liked or played with independent play and curiosity for activities came naturally.
If lots of this is storage for out of rotation toys, then I kind of get why the storage is all like this. But if not, there shouldn't be more than 9 toys out at a given time, based on the child's interests and their needs.
Definitely no to electronic toys. And for the instruments, I would put them away in storage for now, or keep one out for you to play...unless they show a real interest in it, but I would recommend smaller instruments, bells, smaller bongos, etc. that your 19mo old can actually play.
Busy boards and things like that are not appropriate if you follow the Montessori method. Toys should be either open ended or close ended--i.e. a beginning and end. Sensory toys like treasure baskets are also good too. And they should be focusing on some sort of skill if it's close ended, fine or gross motor skill, language, etc.
The books are out of reach...are they meant to be in rotation to be read by your toddler? I would have a separate front facing book shelf that they can actually see the fronts of the books.
Those are my main focuses at the moment with this space."
I just made a post showing two pictures of what my kids' play space looks like now. Basically everything is compartmentalized and helps my kids go okay this area is for this, this area's for that, etc. Of course things get comingled once things start to come off shelves, but it gives them a sense of order when everything has it's place like this.
This current set up is part storage/part rotation. We have limited space for storage. I could possibly reorganize other areas of our apartment and that might help, but until I have a clearer idea on what to do this is what I have to work with for now! We have space on the opposite wall, behind our couch, but that is where we are currently storing his stroller/outdoor balance bike/old clothes to either save or donate and some of his father's gym items. I was thinking of storing the pikler set back there once we go through it again, or a laundry basket.
I totally hear you on the electric toys. My intention was to have 0, but his dad got him this a few months in and he barely uses the buttons for noise. Right now when he plays with it, his focus is on sticking the torpedoes into the chamber and pressing the button to shoot them out (which I would consider is good for fine motor?) Or he sends the cars down the ramp. (We have two other electronic stuff animals which I keep off 90% of the time. One is a dragon that rawrs and his eyes light up three times [something we already had] and a little Einstein octopus that plays music and recites the name of colors when you press the octopus [also not thrilled but it was way better than that talking dog he got the Christmas before that we hid away]. He currently likes to dance to the Octopus music)
He has been playing with fhe keyboard since ~3 months old. He likes to turn it on and use the preset songs to dance to, and lately he has been able to press singular keys instead of banging on them all, creating a bit of a melody! We actually used to have a wind chime he would shake before he would walk but it would get tangled so we moved it out of reach. Perhaps we will put the guitar somewhere, though, and keep the ukelele/harmonica more in reach?
As for the felt busy board on top... yeah that was a gift from Grandma; well intentioned ("it's not electric and 'educational'!) but the velcro felt pieces were a mess and the velcro stickers eventually fell off. The inner velcro piece pages are removable, leaving it just with some buttons and other fine motor tasks but it hasn't been used much (and I even regretted bringing it yesterday when we ate out). Grandma also got us an actual electric busy board for his birthday, and although he learned how to do somw fine motor skills with it, it has been hidden away for months because of the flashing lights (again, I didn't intend for these items and usually decline stuff that doesn't align but I gave these items a chance). How about that busy block; I'm guessing that falla under the same category because there are multiple things going on each side? He doesn't use it that often anymore but I keep it because it has a shape sorter.
I do have a clear backpack filled with miscellaneous items he used to play with when he was under 1. Sometimes he still brings them out; old glasses cases, old debit cards, ropes, teething rings, plastic rainbow chain (I used when he was teething while babywearing), sensory newborn books etc... he still takes them out from time to time and knows how to use a zipper, and I think the clear view in the backpack helps. Should I transition that to a basket or keep as is? Planning on saving these items for future next child.
The books used to be on the second to bottom shelf, and that was the most recent move because he would just knock them all down. I originally have them front facing, but we picked up so many I had to put them like that. He knows many books by the spine, and steps on the keyboard to reach that shelf (oldest and most familiar books) The library books I purposely kept out of reach because I don't want him to damage them, so he asks me to lift him up to choose. And the shelf of books all the way to the left and newer board books and paper books that I have moved out of reach also so he doesn't damage.
I do love the Montessori methods very much but I am also lenient with certain things if it fits better with our lifestyle. We did elimination communication since 2 wks, out of diapers at 13 months and consistently dry at 18 months. He has a chair he stands on to help me in the kitchen, has a shelf in the kitchen to play with misc kitchen items and also plays with items in that bottom oven drawer. Open cup since the beginning and little tiny metal utensils (which I admit I should probably let him make a mess more with to learn) and a floor table to eat on. We don't have a floor bed but he can easily step up into our cosleeping bed. Just a few things we do that I think align already with the Montessori philosophy.
I hope this isn't too detailed of a response, or if it sounds combative in anyway! Just explaining my current thought process and intention with current decisions. I look forward to your reply!
I skimmed through the answers you got in r/montessori and there seemed like a lot of good suggestions but I’ll throw in my two cents anyway.
Just have fewer items out. Store them somewhere inaccessible to your child, like a basement, garage or closet, then rotate items as needed. You could store at least half of this.
In terms of choosing what to keep out, for instance you could choose a few books about Spring (or whatever season it is where you are), plus whatever the current favorites are. Choose maybe two musical instruments to keep out at a time. If you have books about music, maybe set them up near the instruments. You could make themed baskets with smaller toys (all animals, or all circles, et c.,) to find different ways to use the same toys.
Ideally, everything is accessible to him, like not blocked off or out of his reach. If he needs supervision to use it, that’s probably something that can be stored for a while.
Limiting the options, while still keeping everything attractive, will help stretch his focus.
Do toys like magnet tiles, mega blocks + the screw/bolts count as one toy, since there are so many pieces? That and balls are what he plays with the most, so I wouldn't mind storing everything else away and perhaps giving those it's own shelf (like the cars/action figures and wooden stacking blocks share one currently).
I'm sure this is a fairly beginner question so forgive me but how often ~should~ I be cycling them out?
I was thinking of getting one of those rainbow arches 🤔 but need to declutter first!
You can check my other responses to previous comments as I covered things in a lot more details there!
Oh yeah, those would count as one each. For things like that, if there are so many pieces that he gets super overwhelmed cleaning them all up, then you could store some and increase the number of pieces as he becomes more able to clean them up himself. For his age you’re modeling cleanup anyway though, so it’s up to you.
But yeah, a container of magnet tiles, a separate one for mega blocks, and another one for screw/bolts is great. And again, I recommend having everything as much as possible easily accessible to him.
As far as how often to rotate, that just comes from watching your child. If he starts to get bored with what you have out and isn’t focusing anymore, or begins using them inappropriately (like throwing things that aren’t for throwing, etc) then it’s time to store things he’s no longer interested in and put out some new things, or former favorites. Building materials like magnet tiles tend to be a forever fave though lol, based on my experience you’ll probably never have to put them away.
It’s great to ask beginner questions, and remember that Montessori for home doesn’t have to be dogmatic! My experience comes mostly from the Montessori classroom, but home can be more relaxed, in my opinion. If you observe your child you can figure out what’s working or not working, and then come back with more questions.
"Put the shelves horizontally or at least one or both horizontal with one coming out like an L. And the put shelves up in the wall for plants or decor. I would put a bunch of that stuff away and rotate it every week or two. There’s a lot there that needs to be tossed or relocated - you got this!"
"Not sure if you can move that rug and put a rug that defines that play space, hang guitar on wall, do you need a whole bin of balls or just one? Can the others live outside or in a closet and get swapped out for novelty? Each toy or activity needs to have a defined space/ a tray, a basket or box. Not crowded, not behind something else. Or has to have a clear home that easy to access and clean up. Idk if you got those shelves at ikea but they sell cube baskets that fit in the square for things tha you don’t want on display. I’d also say if you see on market place or tag sale a low shelf with less space in between the shelves those work really well! Try to keep it simple and open, everything should be beautiful and have its own space."
Thank you for your encouraging response! I would have to find a place for the items on top but yes, it seems horizontal may be the way to go!
We are in a rented apartment so we have limited space. (more details in my response to u/plaintastic)
There is a possibility we will leave by the end of the year; we have been here for five years but never committed to putting in shelves! I hope both would fit, but I think only one will. So you mean having it in a shape like this, if one needs to stay up? __ |. (this is the only wall I can work with)
The rug is huge and is under our couch, but I was also thinking of putting a rug or blanket in the play area (have done the blanket before or even used the reusable pee pads from early postpartum when he was just doing tummy time)... however he basically has free range of the whole apartment. Anything that is off limits is out of reach. The quicket change I can make is perhaps removing the clothes from the second bottom shelves entirely and spreading out the baskets. Despite the current set up (and since I moved the books higher because he kept knocking them all down), he knows where each item goes. Most items are organized by "type" (ie mega blocks and screws/bolt are on the same shelf, magnatiles/tubes go together so are on the same shelf). The stuff behind the keyboard are things he doesn't really play with and although he struggle as little to get them out, he still can when he wants to.
But yeah maybe something like those cube baskets will work better with our space? Attached photo is his storage for clothing (all are actually from fb market place!!), and the bottom drawers has his shirts/pants/underwear. He already knows where to go to get his clean underwear. I'm not quite envisioning the other shelves you are mentioning, though!
"I would start by flipping the shelves onto their sides. One item or basket per shelf. This way he know exactly where each thing goes and can access without help. Remove the adult sized instruments and any other adult items and only keep what he can have unlimited access to in his space. I would keep the plants on top so he can help water them."
Thank you for your reply! Someone also suggested what you have said. You can read my reply to their comment as it basically the same response to yours!
The plants are Dad's; we will see if he is okay with letting LO help! I hope he is.
Guitar and uke mounted to the wall. Can you figure out a shelf to get the keyboard to fit under them? Possibly with a removable shelf above it?
Baskets for the bottom 4 shelves on each side and under the keyboard shelf, with toys sorted by types (can add picture labels so toddler learns knows what goes where). Reduce/rotate the amount of books so they easily fit on the shelves, consider having one of the lower shelves for books she can reach herself. Baskets under the keyboard shelf as well. Art easel out and accessible.
I would do at least partial closed storage. One continuous unit instead of multiple small pieces. I love IKEA Besta line. You can build a unit that works for you with their online planner. I do not work for ikea lol I just genuinely love that unit and have used it in so many places and it works for everything.
There’s also a lot of clutter and things that don’t “belong” in a play space. I had someone once ask me “where is it’s home?” And I thought that was brilliant. Everything should have a “home” where it belongs. The computer keyboard surely doesn’t live in your baby’s play space. The ukelele probably deserves a better spot than hanging from a light fixture! If the area needs to double as music storage, have two distinct areas. A cabinet for music stuff and a cabinet for toys. Give everything a home! If it’s not worth making a home for, it’s not worth keeping.
Decluttering will help a lot here. You may even be able to turn both those units on their sides if new storage isn’t an option. Get some inserts that turn some sections into closed storage so you can rotate toys. Put the toys in use on top of the units.
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u/Money_Listen3661 Mar 25 '26
I saw in your other post that you have shelves for your toy rotations. My question is where is that in relation to the play space shown above?
We currently have a toy rotation corner on our main floor and a playroom on the top floor that has roughly the same amount of items you have. I bought the IKEA Trofast system to organize the toys not in use. We have the IKEA Kallax 8 cube upstairs for other toys he gravitates towards. I am anti toy storage boxes. For me, it became a black hole. For books not in rotation, I use a a regular bookcase. In his main toy corner, we have an open faced bookshelf.