The closet beside our front door seemed like the natural coat closet when we moved in. But because our idea of a coat closet included cleaning supplies (vacuum, dust buster), files, and random bags, we quickly realized the deeper closet under the stairs was a better fit. It’s slightly closer to the garage, so it actually makes daily access more convenient — even if I’m not ready to admit summer is over.
That left the small closet next to the door idle and waiting for a purpose. Instead of forcing it back into service as a catch-all, we turned it into a toy storage space. Not for active play inside the closet, but for organized storage and rotation of toys. I’ll explain the reasons in a bit; first I’ll cover how we outfitted the space since it had minimal shelving.
We considered adding fixed wood shelves like the small one already installed near the top, but wanted something more flexible so shelf spacing could change over time. After checking a few stores we chose a Rubbermaid wall-track system available at Home Depot and paired it with wood shelves instead of the wire options that come with some kits.
Installation was straightforward, though it requires care to keep the tracks straight and level so the shelves don’t end up crooked. I used a laser level to mark the drill points to ensure everything lined up perfectly.
Rubbermaid includes a hardware pack with anchors and screws, so I drilled each hole, tapped in the anchors, and secured the tracks to the wall. The kit made the mounting quick and reliable.
When hanging the second track I double-checked it was level with the first. You’ll notice a bit of green paint on my yardstick — a remnant of an earlier paint spill in the garage.
After both tracks were secured, I clipped in the brackets and set the wood shelves on top. Our closet was about an inch narrower than the 36″ stock shelves, so each shelf needed a quick rip on the table saw to fit.
It’s not a glamorous shelving system, but it took about an hour to install and will be hidden behind a closed door most of the time. More importantly, it improved the closet’s functionality dramatically and gives us the option to adjust shelf spacing as our needs change. Here’s the cost breakdown:
- Four 12″ x 36″ shelves: $14
- Eight 12″ brackets: $28
- Two 48″ twin tracks: $13
- Two hardware packs: $4
- TOTAL: $59
With the shelving installed, Sherry primed and painted the existing blue shelf and baseboard white. Once the paint dried, she began loading the shelves with toys and activities.
You might wonder why a toy closet in the foyer makes sense, especially with items stored out of a small child’s reach. The idea grew out of watching Clara’s play habits. At three years old, she enjoys a few favorite toys for extended play but tends to quickly cycle through many smaller toys. A single basket of assorted cars, balls, puzzles, and small games can get emptied and abandoned in minutes. We also have supervised activities — painting, markers, play-doh — that aren’t appropriate for free access.
So we created what we call a toy “library.” The concept mirrors how library books seem special compared with the books we keep at home — items feel new and exciting when they’re not always on display. We left a few favorite toys out in baskets in the rooms where she plays and moved the rest into the closet. The closet is centrally located, making it convenient for adults to access and rotate items.
Here’s the system we use:
- Clara has a few favorite toys readily available in baskets, but if she wants something from the closet she asks and we retrieve it for her.
- She can “check out” only one item at a time; one toy must be returned before another goes out. This rule has already encouraged her to tidy up before requesting something new.
- We expect this approach to evolve with her. Both Sherry and I grew up with closets full of board games and movies, so shelving that can be adjusted should remain useful as Clara gets older.
We considered using picture labels since Clara can’t read yet, but because adults will be the primary ones retrieving items for a while, we went with text labels. Sherry also repurposed a frame to make a simple “menu” of what’s inside, so she can offer suggestions quickly without rummaging through bins.
After using the toy library for a few weeks, we’re pleased with the results. We were wary that a three-year-old might not follow the system, but Clara has embraced it. The rotation has helped her focus on activities longer — we’ve had marathon marker sessions lately — and it’s reinforced the habit of cleaning up one activity before starting another.
So yes, we may be the family that greets guests with a basket of finger paints and a dinosaur puzzle in the foyer, but the idea of a toy library has been a hit. It keeps toys feeling fresh, helps with attention and cleanup habits, and makes the most of a small, otherwise underused closet.
