Using Books and Toys as Decor
If you have little ones, your house should look like it. Better yet- why don’t you use their books and toys as decoration! My living room, dining room, and my little guy’s nursery are packed with shelves, baskets, and affordable storage systems to make toys and books look BEAUTIFUL. Here are the areas I focus on to make toys and books accessible, but also pretty!
Wall Space: Floating shelves are your friend! They are affordable, versatile, and give you more space up high. They also draw the eye UP in a room, so your visitors aren’t just looking at the ground where the toys are all over the place!
(1) This IKEA picture ledge was $14! It’s about 21 inches long and comes in several colors. Add books you already have and BAM done.
(2) Same IKEA picture ledge but 45 inches long this time. $17 per shelf. 5 shelves can fill up a wall and really make your little’s books stand out. Put as many or as little as your child likes- my shelves are full but sometimes less is more!
Next up, shelving units: For a farmhouse look that leaves you with ENDLESS styling and decoration opportunities, I love a good tall open bookshelf.
(1) This shelving unit is a STATEMENT piece. I usually decorate it for the season and then put a basket of books or toys on the bottom where the “G” pillow is.
When my little guy goes over to the shelf, I tell him what he CAN TOUCH. I also keep unbreakable items (like light wooden figurines) on the second to last shelf, in case he gets curious. Which he will!
(2) This IKEA Storage Unit is AMAZING. I have an entire blog on Paul’s nursery with all of the items linked (down to the dog-tail hooks that hold the baskets). Get all the links here!
Bookshelves: To be honest, lots of bookshelves are bulky or ugly. Or they invite a little one to climb it like a ladder. BUT, this one is AWESOME. It is so heavy, fits nicely in a corner, ROTATES, and can hold about 160 board books. WINNER!
Don’t stress about the mess! Your house SHOULD looks like littles ones live there, and focus on it being filled with love and laughter!
