Having a large collection of Barbie dolls and accessories can quickly become disorganized and cluttered if you don’t have a proper storage system in place. Proper organization is key to keeping your Barbie collection neat and easy to access. Here are some tips for organizing Barbie accessories of all sizes.
Page Contents
Small Accessories
Small accessories like shoes, purses, hats, and jewelry are easy to lose track of if they’re not stored properly. Here are some ideas for keeping tiny Barbie items organized:
- Plastic tackle boxes or small storage containers – The compartments keep small items separated.
- Jewelry boxes – Perfect for storing rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
- Divided storage trays – Can organize by color or type of accessory.
- Zippered pouches – Great for storing shoes and bags together.
- Over the door shoe organizers – Individual clear pockets are ideal for tiny accessories.
Clothing and Outfits
There are a couple approaches you can take to organize Barbie clothing:
- By individual piece – Fold or hang each skirt, top, dress, etc and store together by type.
- Full outfits – Store coordinated outfit pieces together so they’re ready for play.
Here are handy storage ideas for clothing:
- Hanging closet organizer – Use different sections or shelving for each clothing type.
- Small plastic bins or trays – Designate a bin for each clothing category.
- Garment bags – Store complete looks together and label the bags.
- Divided drawers – Use cabinet drawer organizers to separate clothing.
Larger Accessories
Bulky accessories like furniture, playsets, and vehicles need adequate storage space. Consider these storage ideas for larger Barbie items:
- Plastic storage bins or tubs – Great for storing playsets and furniture together. Label the lids.
- Shelving unit or bookcase – Provides easy access for play. Use bins or baskets to corral loose accessories.
- Hanging storage – Some playsets and larger accessories can be hung on walls or from the ceiling. Keeps them off the floor.
- Garment bag – Use large garment bags to keep furniture pieces scratch-free.
- Under bed storage – Clear under bed containers allow you to see contents while keeping dust away.
Display Storage
If you want to proudly display your Barbie collection, incorporate these display storage ideas:
- Glass cabinets – Keeps dolls clean while showing them off. Add lights for drama.
- Wall mounted shelves – Great for displaying dolls. Attach a rail for hanging clothing.
- Shadow boxes – Frame Barbie with accessories or clothing for customized wall art.
- Curio cabinets – Display dolls and highlight accessories in a traditional curio cabinet.
- Bookcases – Use adjustable shelves to display dolls. Add baskets for accessories.
Organizing Materials
Use these handy supplies to keep your Barbie collection organized:
- Clear plastic bins and storage containers
- Dividers and compartments
- Zipper pouches
- Organizer baskets
- Hanging bags and wall pockets
- Labels
- Pegboards with hooks
- Utility carts with bins and drawers
Labeling
No storage solution is complete without labeling. Make sure to clearly label bins, containers, and storage units. Here are labeling ideas:
- Category – Label with general clothing types, accessories, furniture, etc.
- Specific item – List exact clothing pieces, accessory names, doll names
- Color coding – Use colored labels to designate categories
Consider using photos if text labels aren’t enough. Seeing what’s inside the container helps identify small loose accessories.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance will keep your Barbie collection looking its best:
- Dust regularly
- Gently clean dolls and clothing as needed
- Wipe down display cabinets and shelves
- Check for pests like moths in clothing
- Refresh old containers and organizers
- Do an occasional reorganization to keep things tidy
Special Considerations
Here are some extra tips for organizing your Barbie collection:
- Store valuable, antique, or collectible dolls separately – Display in secure cabinets or in archival boxes.
- Consider climate control – Heat, humidity, sunlight can damage dolls and clothing over time.
- Incorporate lighting – Add battery operated or electric lighting to display cabinets to showcase dolls.
- Protect surfaces – Use felt, foam or acid free paper to line shelves and storage bins.
- Store horizontally – Lay dolls and accessories flat in stacks to prevent damage.
Final Tips
- Group similar items together for easy access
- Use clear containers so you can easily see contents
- Store dolls inside closable plastic bags or archival boxes if not displaying
- Install adequate shelving and hooks for optimal use of space
- Purge items you no longer need to avoid clutter
- Don’t overlook under bed storage for larger playsets and furniture
- Store most used items at eye level for convenience
- Have a dedicated doll storage space if possible
Conclusion
Organizing a Barbie collection takes some effort but is worth it for easy access and maintenance. Use a mix of clever storage containers, shelving, and display units to keep all your Barbie items tidy. Proper storage will help preserve your Barbie collection for years of play and enjoyment.