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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not want toys brought into the lounge?

464 replies

ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:19

So in context, our downstairs area is all open plan. There’s a smallish lounge, a dining room and then an orangery. The children’s toys and games are in the orangery and their bedrooms.

They both but especially my five year old keep bringing them into the lounge. I hate it. It’s mostly because the lounge is on the small side so quickly gets full, toys get trampled on, end up under the sofa and the TV unit. I end up skidding on toy cars and parts of tool boxes all the time.

I am trying to be quite firm about keeping toys in the orangery or bedrooms. Or is this just too uptight? It’s an ongoing battle keeping the house fairly tidy and I don’t do a bad job but it is a lot of work.

OP posts:
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Ohpleeeease · 15/01/2026 17:36

You can’t have an orangery and a lounge in the same house. You must start calling your lounge the sitting room or drawing room. Or demolish the orangery.

Didimum · 15/01/2026 17:36

FuzzyPuffling · 15/01/2026 17:23

YABU for using the term "orangery" unless you live in Chatsworth House.

If it's like a conservatory, it's probably bloody freezing at this time of year, and of course your kids would prefer to be around family than in their bedrooms. They'll eventually grow out if it.

An orangey is different to a conservatory.

Original poster
ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:36

DameOfThrones · 15/01/2026 17:35

Your set-up sounds exactly the same as mine OP, except my children slept in bedrooms upstairs.

I had a one toy in/one toy out rule, which worked pretty well most of the time.

Mine sleep upstairs as well!

OP posts:
Original poster
ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:35

So the orangery isn’t a conservatory. I don’t personally care what it is and if it makes MN happy to call it a conservatory, let’s just call it a conservatory. It is a bit different though <pedantic> conservatories are all glass and this isn’t. Anyway Smile

OP posts:
DameOfThrones · 15/01/2026 17:35

Your set-up sounds exactly the same as mine OP, except my children slept in bedrooms upstairs.

I had a one toy in/one toy out rule, which worked pretty well most of the time.

Irishcharmer · 15/01/2026 17:34

Orangery! Do you mean conservatory?

YABVU for calling it that, also YABVU in not realising that kids like their toys and they should be allowed to play with them in the living areas.

FuzzyPuffling · 15/01/2026 17:34

How many oranges did you pick this year?

Original poster
ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:33

Minfilia · 15/01/2026 17:32

An orangery is different to a conservatory, though? It’s made of brick and has a proper roof, for a start!

Indeed it is <wonders if I should take a photo!>

OP posts:
Original poster
ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:33

Alltheyellowbirds · 15/01/2026 17:32

That’s exactly what it is. Or was, originally. Stately houses.

Show quote history

We don’t have a stately home, but we do have an orangery!

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 15/01/2026 17:33

We always preferred the Camellia House.

Minfilia · 15/01/2026 17:32

An orangery is different to a conservatory, though? It’s made of brick and has a proper roof, for a start!

Original poster
ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:32

I am uptight about the toys and I’ve tried to relax a bit but the mess that can be made in minutes is quite something 😂

The orangery (sorry to the person that amused, but that’s what it is!) is really spacious and they each have their own rooms as well. It’s just I have maybe two free hours each day and spending it tidying is depressing. Much easier if it’s all contained!

OP posts:
Alltheyellowbirds · 15/01/2026 17:32

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 15/01/2026 17:27

Not heard orangery before. Sounds like something that’s outside to grow oranges! 🍊 off to google!

That’s exactly what it is. Or was, originally. Stately houses.

TheMorgenmuffel · 15/01/2026 17:32

What is the appeal of the lounge? Why do they want to play there specifically instead of other rooms? Change whatever that is so it is in the designated play areas.

DKPeanuts · 15/01/2026 17:31

Kids want to hang out where the heart of the home is, however nice a
playroom or ‘orangery’ you have. Don’t do this.

ADayInTheLifeOfMe · 15/01/2026 17:31

Just let them play with one thing at a time and swap it out for the next?

offtothegymagain · 15/01/2026 17:31

It’s “orangerie”, Hyacinth 🍊

Alltheyellowbirds · 15/01/2026 17:31

Megifer · 15/01/2026 17:27

Ahh I feel a little bit sad at the thought of small children not being allowed to play in their own lounge 😔 you are being way too uptight.

Replied to wrong post…

RobertaFirmino · 15/01/2026 17:31

Grumpiest2026 · 15/01/2026 17:27

nowt strange about an orangery. It’s a recognised type of room. Like a conservatory but without the glass roof!

Ohh, that's what it is! I thought it was where people stored their orangutans...

Original poster
ohnononofenton · 15/01/2026 17:30

Burntt · 15/01/2026 17:26

Start a toy time out for toys left in the lounge that are not played with. I think it’s fair to let them play in there but if they leave their toys in there confiscate them for a couple days. Needs to be a clear box in sights or they won’t be reminded they lost toys and just play with something else

I think the main issue is that it ends up being odds and sods from the toy box, so a pair of pliers from DS’s tool box or a few stray blocks. That’s what annoys me to be honest. Then they end up lost. I’m just trying to keep everything in order. I had a massive clear out just after Christmas and things are a lot more manageable now but it’s still a battle.

OP posts:
rainbowsandraspberrygin · 15/01/2026 17:29

user1492809438 · 15/01/2026 17:27

Puzzled as to why you had children. Is it not their home as well? If you are uptight about toys being spread about, you won't survive the teenage years. Relish a happy messy home full of love, it soon goes.

That’s a bit much! 😂

Huntrix · 15/01/2026 17:28

I'd just let them play with toys wherever really as it's their home too. My lounge was/is always full of toys but when it was stuff like cars and lego and little bits and bobs, I just got a huge toy box for the lounge and everything went in there at the end of the day.

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 15/01/2026 17:28

But also - with all the organisation in our house and separate rooms, the kids still want to fit into the small lounge and all their toys end up all over the place. The only thing I’m strict on is that art stuff and play doh stays in dining room where there is a hard floor

user1492809438 · 15/01/2026 17:27

Puzzled as to why you had children. Is it not their home as well? If you are uptight about toys being spread about, you won't survive the teenage years. Relish a happy messy home full of love, it soon goes.

Megifer · 15/01/2026 17:27

Ahh I feel a little bit sad at the thought of small children not being allowed to play in their own lounge 😔 you are being way too uptight.