When we first moved in, the small closet next to the front door seemed like the obvious coat closet. But our idea of a coat closet quickly included things like the vacuum, a dust buster, extra bags and a few file boxes, so we realized the deeper closet under the stairs was a better spot for all that. It’s actually a little closer to the garage, which makes daily access to coats more convenient (even if I’m not ready to admit summer is over).
That left the little closet by the door empty and begging for a purpose. Instead of giving it a serious job, we decided to make it fun: a compact toy closet. Not so much for playing in, but for storing and rotating toys so they feel fresh and engaging.
First challenge: shelving. The closet only had a single shelf up high, and we wanted more flexibility than fixed shelves would allow. Rather than nailing simple wood supports to the wall, we opted for an adjustable track-and-bracket system. After comparing options, we picked a Rubbermaid track system from Home Depot and planned to use wood boards instead of the stock wire shelves.
Installing the tracks was straightforward but required careful measuring to keep everything level and straight. I used a laser level to mark the drill locations so the tracks lined up perfectly and the shelves wouldn’t sit crooked.
The Rubbermaid hardware pack included anchors and screws, which made mounting the tracks easy: drill the hole, tap in the anchor, and secure the track to the wall. That made the whole process fast and fuss-free.
When adding the second track, I again checked level against the first track. (In case you’re wondering about the green spot on my yardstick: it’s from an old paint spill in the garage.) Precision here matters so the shelf brackets sit evenly.
With both tracks mounted I clipped in the brackets and rested the wood shelves on top. Our closet was just a touch narrower than the 36″ stock boards, so each shelf needed a quick cut on the table saw to fit perfectly.
The shelving isn’t glamorous, but it was quick to install—about an hour—and it’s hidden behind a door most of the time. More importantly, it made the closet significantly more useful and gives us flexibility to move shelves closer together or farther apart depending on what’s stored. Here’s what we spent:
- Four 12″ x 36″ wood shelves: $14
- Eight 12″ brackets: $28
- Two 48″ twin tracks: $13
- Two hardware packs (anchors and screws): $4
- TOTAL: $59
After the shelving was in place, Sherry sanded and painted the existing blue shelf and baseboard with white primer and paint. Once everything dried, she filled the closet with toys organized into baskets and bins.
If you’re wondering why we put a toy closet in the foyer—especially with some things out of reach—it’s all intentional. Clara is at an age where a few favorites hold her attention but most small toys get dumped and abandoned within minutes. We also have craft supplies and activities that require supervision, like markers and paint. So we created a toy “library”: a central, convenient place to store toys that aren’t part of her everyday rotation so they feel new and special when they come out.
We named it a library because it mimics how library books feel different from the books she always has access to—more exciting and engaging. The closet holds items we rotate in and out while a few favorite toys remain in baskets around the house. Our basic rules help keep it consistent and teach Clara responsibility:
- She plays daily with a selection of favorite toys that stay out, but she can ask for items from the closet when she wants a change.
- Only one item can be checked out at a time, so something must be returned before another is taken. This has already encouraged her to clean up before choosing the next thing.
- We expect the system to grow with her. Both of us grew up with closets full of games and DVDs, and this adjustable shelving makes the space useful for older kids too.
We considered picture labels because Clara can’t read yet, but since the closet is mostly adult-managed for now, we used simple text labels and a repurposed frame as a quick “menu” showing what’s inside. That way Sherry can easily offer options without rifling through every bin.
After a few weeks of using the toy library, it’s exceeded our expectations. Clara enjoys it, she spends longer playing with individual activities, and she’s learning to tidy up a project before starting another. It’s become a helpful tool for focus and responsibility rather than just another cluttered basket.
We might be the kind of parents who welcome guests with a basket of finger paints and a giant dinosaur puzzle, but the former library worker in me gets a kick out of our little toy library. Maybe one day we’ll make library cards—just kidding. If you’re hunting for shelving inspiration, we also have a post featuring a collection of 16 DIY shelving ideas to browse for more project ideas.
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