Barbie dolls have been a beloved toy for children for over 60 years. With all the accessories, clothes, furniture, and playsets available, storage can quickly get out of control. Finding creative and practical storage solutions is key to keeping your Barbie collection organized and easy to access. We’ve put together 7 of the best Barbie storage ideas to help keep those tiny shoes, dresses, and Dreamhouses in their proper place.
Use Clear Plastic Storage Bins
Clear plastic storage bins are a great way to neatly corral Barbies, clothes, shoes, and accessories. The see-through plastic makes it easy to identify contents at a glance. Stackable bins work well for maximizing vertical storage space. Look for bins with lids to keep out dust. Clear shoe boxes are ideal for sorting Barbie shoes by color. Hang clear accessory bags or pouches inside closets to store purses, sunglasses, hats, and other tiny accessories. Label each bin or pouch for easy identification. Plastic bins keep doll clothes wrinkle-free and protected.
Advantages of Clear Plastic Bins
- See contents easily without opening
- Lightweight and easy to lift, carry, and stack
- Protects clothes from dust and wrinkling
- Allows for categorizing by item type
- Space-efficient storage
- Affordable and available in many sizes
- Portable to reorganize and access dolls and accessories
- Fun colors and shapes for kids’ rooms
Tips for Using Plastic Bins
- Label each bin clearly with contents or category
- Use same-sized stackable bins for stability
- Store bins up high, safely out of reach of pets and small children
- Look for airtight lids to protect clothes and accessories
- Get different sizes for clothes, shoes, accessories, and larger items
- Use drawer organizers for subdividing contents
- Clean bins periodically to prevent dust buildup
With sturdy clear plastic bins, you’ll always know where to find Barbie’s roller skates, summer dresses, hair brushes, and everything she needs for playtime. It provides clutter-free storage that keeps Barbie’s world neatly organized.
Repurpose Kitchen Items for Doll Storage
The kitchen is full of items that make perfect Barbie accessory and clothing storage solutions. Repurposing kitchen containers is an inexpensive way to corral all those tiny shoes, sunglasses, brushes, and other loose items.
Spice racks or tiered trays work great for displaying and sorting Barbie shoes by color. An over-the-door organizer with clear pockets is ideal for storing hats, gloves, purses, and other small accessories. Cupcake tins and muffin pans are perfect for corralling tiny accessories. You can even use the cupcake liner pockets for grouping items.
Clear candy jars make pretty and practical displays for Barbie earrings, rings, hair clips, and barrettes. Mini plastic bins found in kitchens are just the right size for storing shoes or doll stands. No need to buy new containers – raid the kitchen first for items to repurpose for your Barbie collection. The clear containers keep contents visible so kids can easily find what they need for play.
Creative Kitchen Storage Solutions for Barbies
- Tiered pans for heels, flats, sandals
- Muffin tins for accessories like sunglasses, phones, brushes
- Spice racks for shoes sorted by color
- Sugar jars for jewelry like earrings, rings, and necklaces
- Over-the-door pockets to store hats, gloves, purses
- Utensil holders for doll stands or small accessories
- Cupcake liners to compartmentalize tiny items
With a little imagination, your kitchen has the perfect Barbie storage solutions hiding in plain sight. Repurposing these items keeps doll clutter neatly contained while saving money.
Use Pegboards for Display and Storage
Pegboards provide easy access display and storage for your Barbie collection. Pegboards mount on walls with pegboard hooks that you can arrange and rearrange however you like. Use pegboard hooks to neatly hang Barbie clothes, bags, dresses, and accessories.
Small shallow bins or trays mounted horizontally on pegs corral loose accessories like shoes and jewelry. Vertical hanging bins create divided storage for categorizing items. You can give each Barbie doll their own designated hooks with their clothes and accessories. Additional hooks placed above and below provide space for expansion.
Hanging pegboard storage keeps items visible, accessible, and off the floor. Easily change the configuration as your collection changes. Pegboards work well combined with bins and baskets for a complete storage and organization system. Install a pegboard on the back of a closet door to take advantage of unused space. Artsy dividers and bins let kids customize their Barbie pegboard storage.
Benefits of Pegboard Storage
- Visible display makes finding items easy
- Adjustable hook placement for reconfiguring
- Gets items up off the floor
- Hanging bins and baskets maximize space
- Can mount on walls or inside closets
- Allows assigning dolls their own storage space
- Affordable hooks and accessories
- Portable to rearrange doll storage
With pegboard storage, you can give that Barbie collection the showcase it deserves while keeping everything organized. Adjust and add components as needed for the ultimate display.
Build a Barbie House Bookcase
What little girl wouldn’t love a bookcase transformed into a perfect dream home for all of her Barbies? This storage solution doubles as a playable dollhouse, with the shelves acting as spacious “rooms” for Barbies to live in.
Use one shelf as the bedroom with a small doll bed, bedding, and other bedroom furniture. Designate another shelf as the kitchen with miniature plastic food, pots and pans, and a doll-sized table and chairs. You can even use removable wallpaper or contact paper to “wallpaper” the back and sides of shelves.
Add ledges between shelves for more standing and seating space. Install staircases between shelves for easy access. Top with a decorative cornice for a finishing touch. For safety, secure the bookcase to the wall so it doesn’t tip. The bookcase dollhouse can hold all of Barbie’s furniture, playsets, and accessories when not in use. Let kids unleash their creativity designing rooms on each shelf.
Bookcase Dollhouse Tips
- Secure firmly to the wall to prevent tipping
- Use wallpaper or contact paper to decorate back and sides
- Designate each shelf for a room like bedroom, kitchen, living room
- Add ledges between shelves for more usable space
- Install mini staircases between shelves for access
- Include doll-sized furniture like beds, table and chairs
- Use baskets or bins for storing loose accessories
- Place non-playtime Barbies and furniture on higher shelves
Giving Barbies their own charming “house” provides safe and accessible storage while encouraging creativity and play. The bookcase dollhouse does double duty keeping the collection organized.
Try Under-Bed Storage Containers
The under-bed area is valuable hidden real estate in bedrooms. Plastic under-bed storage bins or containers are a perfect way to take advantage of this often unused space. They slide conveniently out of sight under the bed, keeping Barbie chaos contained.
Large under-bed bins are ideal for storing playsets like the Barbie Dreamhouse when not in use. Long low under-bed bins accommodate Barbie’s vehicles like the Barbie camper. Look for clear under-bed bins to easily see contents. Wheeled bins are a great option for easy accessibility.
Label each container to keep track of what’s inside. Use lids to keep out dust bunnies. Under-bed storage helps create a tidy bedroom by stashing clutter out of sight. Just slide bins back under the bed for quick cleanup after playtime. Utilizing the under-bed real estate helps maximize your Barbie storage.
Benefits of Under-Bed Storage
- Keeps playsets and larger items concealed but accessible
- Creates a tidy bedroom by hiding clutter
- Protects contents from dust with lid
- Wheeled bins make accessing contents easy
- Clear bins allow you to see contents
- Ideal for playsets, furniture, vehicles, and other large items
- Makes use of unused bedroom space
Under-bed storage bins keep that Barbie chaos under control in your home. The containers roll out of sight when playtime is over, making cleanup a breeze.
Organize Clothing in Hanging Closet Storage
A closet storage system helps keep Barbie’s extensive wardrobe organized and accessible for dress-up play. Install a closet rod low enough for kids to reach. Add velvet hangers to neatly store dresses, gowns, coats, and other outfits.
Use plastic shelves above the rod for storing hats, purses, and shoes. Clear stackable bins work well for categorizing clothes and other accessories. Shallow open bins or baskets are ideal for small clothing items and accessories.
Install sturdy hooks on the wall or door for hanging robes, accessories, and bulkier clothes. Consider adding a doll-sized chest of drawers for foldable clothes like t-shirts, pants, and shorts. A mirror inside the closet adds realism. The closet storage solution keeps clothes wrinkle-free and protected from dust.
Tips for Barbie Closet Organization
- Use low closet rod with velvet hangers for dresses and outfits
- Stack bins and baskets for categorizing accessories
- Install hooks for robes, jackets, and bulky clothes
- Use shelves above rod for hats, shoes, and other items
- Add a doll chest of drawers for folded clothes
- Label bins and baskets clearly for easy access
- Include a mirror inside the closet for realism
- Keep closet contents visible with open storage
With a specialized closet organization system, playing fashion designer for Barbie is easy and fun. Kids will love the realistic detail while parents appreciate the clutter control.
Craft Your Own Barbie Furniture
For the crafty at heart, designing and creating customized furniture for Barbie provides an engaging project. Make beds, sofas, chairs, shelving units, and anything else you can dream up to give Barbie her perfect home using everyday items.
One-inch wood cubes make instant modular furniture – just stack in different configurations to create tables, chairs, shelves, and more. Paint the cubes bright colors for a fun pop. Cover disposable cups with scrapbook paper or fabric to craft cute chairs and ottomans.
Cut and stain wooden clothespins to size for miniature beds and sofas. Use empty thread spools as tables and chairs. Glue magnets onto furniture bottoms so they adhere to metal baking sheets used as “floors”. Craft handmade furniture to match any design theme using a little imagination and simple supplies.
DIY Barbie Furniture Ideas
- One-inch wood cubes as stackable modular furniture
- Disposable cups covered in pretty paper or fabric
- Clothespins cut down for beds, chairs, sofas
- Empty thread spools for tables and chairs
- Wine corks make great beds or seating
- Craft sticks glued together in shapes for shelves and tables
- Hollowed out wooden blocks for beds and sofas
Creating your own furniture lets you custom design pieces that are uniquely you. See any miniature item as a potential piece of furniture for Barbie. Crafting furniture yourself is inexpensive and adds personal flair to Barbie’s living spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barbie Storage Ideas
Barbie dolls and accessories require creative storage solutions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about keeping the Barbie chaos under control.
What are some quick and easy Barbie storage solutions?
Some quick and easy storage solutions for Barbie items include using clear plastic bins and stacking them to save space, hanging an over-the-door organizer to store accessories, and using kitchen items like muffin tins and spice racks to sort smaller accessories.
Where is the best place to store Barbie playsets like the Dreamhouse?
When not in use, large Barbie playsets like the Dreamhouse are best stored under beds, on closet shelves, or in plastic under-bed bins that slide conveniently out of sight.
How do you keep Barbie clothes from getting wrinkled?
Use clear plastic bins or hard-sided containers to store clothes flat and wrinkle-free. Hanging delicate outfits on velvet hangers inside a closet organizer also keeps them neat.
What is the best way to store Barbie shoes so they don’t get lost?
Barbie shoes are tiny and easily misplaced. Storing them upright in clear containers sorted by color helps keep pairs together. Clear plastic shoe boxes or small bins work great.
How do you keep all the small Barbie accessories organized?
Small containers like cupcake tins, ice cube trays, or bathroom organizing containers with multiple compartments help keep tiny accessories like jewelry, purses, phones and other items neatly sorted.
What should you not store Barbie dolls in?
Avoid storing Barbie dolls in bags or soft containers where they can get tangled hair and clothes. Hard plastic bins work better. Also avoid direct sunlight which can fade clothes and hair.
Conclusion
With a vast selection of dolls, clothing, furniture, and accessories, Barbie collections can easily get out of control. From clear plastic bins to repurposed kitchen items, we’ve shared 7 clever and inexpensive Barbie storage solutions for keeping all of those tiny shoes, dresses, playsets, and Dreamhouses neatly organized.
Getting creative with containers and displaying items visibly will help kids keep their beloved Barbies and accessories tidy so they can find what they need for hours of playtime fun. With the right storage, you can conveniently contain the chaos in Barbie’s world!