10 Clever Ways To Display Your Plush Toys - That Don't Include Shelves! - For Kids AND Collectors

 I don't care how old you are, I bet you have at least a good arm-load of plush toys lying around, right?

 

John and I love our squishy collectibles. Catbus, E.T., my Firey from Labyrinth, reader-crocheted Epbots and pony avatars... we've got our share for sure. I like to sprinkle them around my office and John's game room, though, so we don't really have a dedicated display spot. However, the last few weeks I've been doing research to help some friends and readers who have a LOT of plushies -  an amount you can no longer "sprinkle" - and I've found so many clever display ideas and storage tricks that I have to share. Whether you're a parent wrangling your kids' toy haul or a collector looking to show off your main squeezes, I think these will be relevant to your interests.

So here we go, 10 of my favorite NON-SHELF ways to store and/or display plush toys:

1) Re-Purposed Curtain Rods:

I love this because it's clever, functional, and cheap. Why dedicate a whole shelf or bookcase when all you need is a simple bar? You could stack these on a wall in place of a bookcase, or put them end-to-end all around the room.

Plus, these can look REALLY high end:

(Blabla Kids Toys)

Especially if you're displaying a collection or grouping by color.

Oh, and you can also use towel bars, not just curtain rods!

2) A Tension-Rod Hammock:

 (Bowdenisms)

Use two tension-mount curtain rods to make a hammock between the wall and a dresser or bookshelf. Courtney sewed her fabric, but you could use an existing valence for a no-sew option: just slide the 2nd curtain rod through the bottom hem of the valence, and you're good to go.

3) Wire Basket Nightstand: 

(Addicted To Bargains)

You probably won't find a "lid" that works as perfectly as this angled tray, but all you need is a tray that's larger than the top edge of your laundry/trash bin. Just add some cabinet bumpers or grippy foam shelf-liner to the bottom of the tray, so it won't slide off.

4) End Table Bungee Cage

 

Take an existing side table or plant stand and add bungee cords, like this:

(Our Creations)

This bungee cord trick is all over Pinterest, here come two more of my favorites:

First, a stand-alone column:


(The Owner Builder Network)

And next, a quarter column tucked into a corner:

(Sweet Wise, no longer in service)

 
These are more for storage than display, but I'm sure you could arrange the toys inside to look more decorative. In fact, this would look awesome if you're displaying extra large plushies, like giant ponies or even a stack of Tsum Tsum pillows.

These next two are storage only, not display, but they're so clever I have to include them:

5) A Foot-Board Hammock:

Tie the corners together of a small sheet or blanket over the foot-board of the bed. Boom. That's it. I love no-cost solutions like this! It's off the floor, takes advantage of unused space, and you can use a cute patterned sheet to make it match the room.

6) A Plush-Filled Bean Bag

 

Don't have a footboard? Then how about stuffing all the plushies in a bean bag, so they double as... stuffing?

 (Sew Can She) 

Hit the link for a tutorial, or if you don't like to sew, just use an existing bean bag cover like this unicorn one.

I can't imagine a plush-filled bag being super comfortable to sit on, but then again, kids don't seem to care about ergonomic support the way we do, ha. Just make sure they don't throw any LEGO in there.

7) The Chain Hanger

 

I'm all about going vertical for storage, so this is great: String up your plush with plastic clips on lightweight plastic chain!

 

 This can be both functional AND decorative if you space them out a little. Plus it's perfect for awkward corners behind doors.

I found a 6-foot version of the clip chain on Amazon for about $15, but you might be able to DIY it for even less using Halloween chain from the dollar store. Just have to find the right clips for it.

 
 And finally, a couple more options for us adult collectors:

8) Frame Your Favorites

 (Trucs & Bricolages)

Grab some thrift store frames - no glass or backer board necessary - and use them as a backdrop for your favorite plushies. If the frame is deep enough you can use it like a shelf, or if not, add safety pins to the back of your doll and tie it to the frame with clear fishing line or string.

 

I've only seen this done with teddy bears, but I would LOVE to see a My Pet Monster or Rainbow Brite in a cute matching frame on a wall somewhere. Somebody out there get on this, pls.

There's also the clothesline approach for smaller specimens:

(Tane Handmade Toys)

Or skip the frame and do a full clothesline across the wall!
 

That works if you only have a few special friends to display, but if you have a LOT, then nix the frames and...

9) Hang Them Directly On The Wall 

(Britney Marie)

OOooOOOOoh. Who needs wallpaper when you have a collection like this, am I right??

Make sure you use Command Hooks, so you don't turn your walls into Swiss cheese. Then pin hanging loops into each doll with a safety pin.

Which brings me to my favorite display, which is really just a variation of the wall-hanging one:

10: Make a rainbow!

(Sherri Mochi)

These are laid out on the floor, but you could use extra command hooks & large safety pins to hang the plushies at an angle to make rainbows or waves or even full circles across your walls. Remember, grouping similar colors always looks amazing, and helps curb the visual chaos.

So tell me, did any of these spark your imagination? Which one's your favorite? And tell me if you have any more ideas for displaying or storing plush toys! 

 

I should mention I left out basic wall hammocks because I figure everyone already knows about those, and same for over-the-door-shoe organizers, ha. But tell me what works for you! 

*****

 

P.S. I'm on such a nostalgia kick after seeing a bunch of 80s toy collections this week, so I have to show you this. Y'all. LOOK HOW CUTE:

Strawberry Shortcake Classic Soft Doll

AND she's scented. EEEEEEEE

I thought this was a new design, but apparently it's a reproduction of one made in the 80s? I only remember the little plastic version with the scented hair. Where was this cutie when I was a kid?? And that packaging! Aww, right in the happy feels. I'm so glad this exists, hope it made you smile, too.