Goodbye Playroom Clutter: This Space-Saving Storage Hack Keeps Things Out Of Sight

Parents know that playroom clutter rarely stays in the playroom. Toys, art supplies, and random Lego pieces have a way of worming themselves into every inch of the house. And most of all, the stuffies. It seems like every birthday, holiday, and family vacation yields a new plush companion for your child.

While your little one may treasure their ever-growing collection of stuffed animals, chances are, they don't play with all of them every day. The same goes for their roster of baby blankets they received when they were little but no longer tote around. Enter the unstuffed ottoman. These genius storage poufs arrive unfilled, so you can stuff them with your children's stuffed animals and baby blankets to keep them completely hidden in plain sight.

Unstuffed poufs are available on sites like Amazon and Etsy for $25 to $50. These fabric shells are available in an array of materials from faux leather to linen and come in square or round configurations. Then, you simply stuff your pouf with your soft playroom clutter to your preferred firmness and, voilà, the floor is clean. In a playroom, these soft toys are the best things to keep in your round storage ottoman.

The best part of these nifty storage poufs is that while they conceal playroom clutter, they also add an extra piece of decor as a soft seat, foot stool, or coffee table (this cozy trend is slowly replacing them). Think about the best way to design your child's playroom, and consider materials that can hold up to sticky fingers, paint, and spilled juice boxes. A waterproof faux leather like the Louis Donné Unstuffed Pouf or washable fleece like HOMBYS' Round Faux Fur Foot Stool both make great options.

That said, the decor doesn't need to be juvenile. A faux leather Moroccan pouf adds boho flavor in color that complements your decor, while jute helps to achieve a beachy vibe. Round options lend a touch of softness, while cubical designs add graphic appeal. Be sure to take note of the size, as reviewers mention that larger ottomans take quite a lot of "filler" to stuff. 

Once you've selected your style, consider the use before stuffing. If you want to use your pouf as a coffee table, fill it as tightly as possible. When you're done, add a tray on top to give items a sturdy surface. If they are to be used as seating, put blankets in at the top to offer a cushion. If they are only to be used as decor, you can fill a bit more randomly and leave some space for new additions. Then, you can leave your pouf unattended until your child asks for that specific stuffy that Auntie got them for their birthday, or when your mother-in-law visits and you want to display her hand-knit baby blanket.