Affordable ways to organize a play area

For kids, summer usually means more time for play, but it doesn’t mean your home has to turn into toy store central.

Jamielyn Nye, lifestyle blogger of IHeartNapTime, offered a few tips on organizing your child’s play area on the cheap. The mom of two is all about order, and she believes a play space should be fun and functional.

Whether your child has an actual playroom or a dedicated space to play in another room, you can use Nye’s organizational tips to keep things in order. Many of the items she uses can either be repurposed from items you already have at home or found inexpensively at stores such as HomeGoods or other discount retailers.

Wicker baskets as a catchall for toys: Wicker baskets are a quick and easy way to hide toys and gadgets in the living room. They come in a range of sizes and can be used to conceal large and small items. You can also use them for storing blankets, pillows, shoes or anything that prevents your living space from looking clutter-free, Nye says.

Display small toys in clear containers: Containers that you may normally find in the kitchen can be used to store play dough and miscellaneous toys, Nye says. Keep cookie cutters and rolling pins in another container for kids to cut and roll out the play dough. Add a chalkboard label to dress it all up.

Alternative organizers: A little creativity can turn everyday items into storage containers for toys. Here are some of Nye's suggestions.

• Condiment holder: Use this to hold small loose toys such as blocks. Store it on the bookshelf and it becomes a fun piece of decor.