Toy storage woes? Cubby bookshelves are one of our favorite ways to store toys out of sight while still displaying books, keepsakes, and decorative items. A well-designed cubby system can grow with your child over time, making it one of the most versatile and functional storage solutions for bedrooms, playrooms, and family spaces.
Whether you prefer open cubby shelves for easy access or a more streamlined look with cubby storage bins, these systems help create clear organization zones that are simple for children to maintain independently. They’re also ideal for maximizing vertical storage in smaller homes where every inch counts.
We're sharing our favorite cubby shelves and organizers for a system that fits your needs.
Selecting a Shelf
Cubby shelves come in a few different sizes and arrangements, but the standard shelf has a 13” cubby. Don’t get roped into a cheaper unit with smaller cubbies because finding bins or baskets that fit will be challenging. You can shop cubby bookshelves pretty much anywhere that sells furniture, but here are a few of our favorites:
When selecting a cubby shelf, consider both functionality and flexibility. Adjustable cubby systems can evolve as storage needs change, while deeper cubbies work best for larger toys, baskets, and bulky items. We also recommend choosing durable finishes that can withstand everyday wear in high-traffic family spaces.
Many families use cubby shelves beyond playrooms, including mudrooms, homework stations, bedrooms, and family rooms. They make it easy to combine hidden storage with decorative styling.
Containing Toys
Give your child easy access to toys in open-top bins or baskets. There are so many cubby-sized organizers out there, so finding something to match your decor shouldn't be too difficult. We designed our Rope Bins with cubby systems and modern decor in mind and they have become our go-tos.
Using a cubby storage bin for toy categories helps simplify cleanup routines and reduces visual clutter. Try assigning each bin a category, such as building toys, dolls, puzzles, cars, or art supplies, so children can easily find and return items independently.
Containing Crafts
For smaller toys, crayons, markers, and other crafts, we like using lidded bins or canisters. Consider whether you want your bins to be translucent so your children can easily grab what they want, or opaque so you can hide them out of sight.
- Kuggis Bin (2 per cubby)
- Large Shoe Box (2 per cubby)
- Canisters
Displaying Books
Whether your cubby system needs to hold reading books, activity books, or both, we have the answer. Place those heavier-looking opaque bins and baskets at the bottom of your system, and save the top shelves for color-coded books or to display toys. Separate activity books and loose paper into magazine holders and give structure to books with bookends, if necessary.
Cubby shelves are especially effective because they balance practical storage with visual display. Mixing books, baskets, and decorative objects helps create a space that feels organized without looking overly utilitarian.
GET THE LOOK
Create a Cubby System That Grows With Your Family
Choosing the right cubby system can completely transform the way your family functions day to day. From toy organization to book storage and craft supplies, cubby shelves create flexible storage that grows alongside your needs while keeping everyday items neat, accessible, and easy to maintain.
Explore NEAT Method’s organizing products and professional organizer locations to create a customized storage system that keeps your home beautifully organized.
xx,
The NEAT Team
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