Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

2 room flat, what would you do about kids toys?

26 replies

Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 16:19

I have two children age 2 and 3 and I'm stuck in a flat consisting of just two rooms (and a bathroom)

I'm maxed out on storage and the place looks like a dump %95 of the time despite tidying constantly. The toy storage boxes, because they are in sight with nowhere else to be, are emptied all over the floor 10 times a day.

Would you accept the fact the place is going to have toys strewn all over the living area constantly or would you get rid of most of them? I feel bad even writing that and OH thinks it's not nice but it's not him who picks them up all day long. I have physical issues so it's taking it's toll.

Moving isn't an option anytime soon. I'm in London. Whole other thread Sad

OP posts:
OutOfTrousers · 23/07/2021 16:20

Can you put shelves up high? Or install a pulley system?

Original poster
Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 16:21

Forgot to add, there are some in the bedroom already and no space in there for more.

They don't even have an obscene amount to be honest, just too many for the space.

OP posts:
LouMoo13 · 23/07/2021 16:21

IKEA Kallax storage, we keep the toys in the storage boxes in a Kallax unit so when the toys are away it looks quite tidy...

Original poster
Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 16:21

@OutOfTrousers

Can you put shelves up high? Or install a pulley system?
Landlord doesn't want shelves being put up unfortunately, what's a pulley system please? Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 16:24

@LouMoo13

IKEA Kallax storage, we keep the toys in the storage boxes in a Kallax unit so when the toys are away it looks quite tidy...
I was looking at those a few months ago, they do look great but I have no space for them to go. The only 'empty floor space' in the living room is where the radiator is and I can't block it off. Would be ideal otherwise.
OP posts:
OutOfTrousers · 23/07/2021 16:32

Like one of those drying racks you can lift up to the ceiling but to store things on instead.

I don't suppose the landlord would see installing storage in a small flat as a bonus?

Elsie look for IKEA hacks Kallax beds where you put the bed frame on a kallax unit.

Jailbreak42 · 23/07/2021 16:36

Do they honestly need as many toys as they have? When my DC were little, we were swamped with a ridiculous amount of toys and one day I lost my rag and chucked a load of them out.

Alternatively, leave them out one day for DP to clean up for a week and see what he thinks then.

ineedaholidaynow · 23/07/2021 16:36

Where does everyone sleep?

EssentialHummus · 23/07/2021 16:39

Hmm. I think a combination of being selective in what toys you buy/have, decluttering (anything your 2yo has now grown out of?) and accepting that toys will be out during the day but pre-bedtime everything needs to go back into where it lives.

mumwon · 23/07/2021 16:54

Could you afford a storage space? Some of these companies have very small ones - like a largish cupboard - that can be uses as "attic" space, so you can alternate things (think winter clothes etc) still accessible?

pastafeend · 23/07/2021 16:55

The toy storage boxes, because they are in sight with nowhere else to be, are emptied all over the floor 10 times a day.

This is quite normal.

You could probably narrow down the amount of yours they have as well.

nocturnalcatfreetogoodhome · 23/07/2021 17:02

Settee with storage underneath.
Pouffe with storage underneath.
Coffee table with storage underneath.
Additionally could you put a very tall Kallax unit behind the settee?

nocturnalcatfreetogoodhome · 23/07/2021 17:03

I would do the same in the bedrooms, get an ottoman bed for your room and could you get bunk beds with storage underneath for their room?

If it’s not in the budget you can get trundles or storage bins underneath from IKEA that just roll away.

Also declutter EVERYTHING. Do you have an attic?

BlueSurfer · 23/07/2021 17:03

So do you all sleep in one room and the other is a kitchen/diner/lounge combo?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/07/2021 17:04

Cull the toys and have big whicker baskets yo scoop things into at the end of the day for a quicky tidy up. I was in a flat until ds was 5,we kept toys to minimum.

Original poster
Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 17:05

@ineedaholidaynow

Where does everyone sleep?
In the bedroom, it's just big enough for a double bed and the kids beds plus clothes storage.

Thank you for the suggestions everybody I'm taking notes!

OP posts:
Original poster
Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 17:06

@mumwon

Could you afford a storage space? Some of these companies have very small ones - like a largish cupboard - that can be uses as "attic" space, so you can alternate things (think winter clothes etc) still accessible?
I called a local one last month and they wanted £100pcm for their smallest unit which isn't feasible for me Sad
OP posts:
Original poster
Movin4wards · 23/07/2021 17:09

@BlueSurfer

So do you all sleep in one room and the other is a kitchen/diner/lounge combo?
Yep, unfortunately.

It's making me miserable but I've tried everything humanly possible to move.

Council tens of times, I've tried asking SS for help, writing to our local MP etc.

OP posts:
BlueSurfer · 23/07/2021 17:25

Then I would try to look at having everything stored in the bedrooms so the other room feels less cluttered.

SlothinSpirit · 23/07/2021 17:43

Agree with very tall Kallax behind the sofa. Sofa will stop the kids from being able to pull it down (though I'd still use wall anchors and just fill the holes when you leave). You could put the stuff you use less often (paints, playdoh etc.) in the lower sections where you'd have to move the sofa to reach them.

Otherwise, I'd be thinking storage everything (depending on budget...though you may be able to get some things second-hand):

  • Storage sofa
  • Storage coffee table (which you could use as a toy box).
  • Storage under all the beds.
  • Storage behind/to the side of the beds. You can get storage headboards with narrow cupboards that open to the side.

Can you get bunk beds/cots for your DC? The 3yo might still be a bit young for a top bunk but, in a year or so, you could get a high-sided one where they're unlikely to fall out. Something like this: arthauss.co.uk/collections/all/products/wooden-bunk-bed-david-with-storage-in-3-colours. That might free up some space in the bedroom.

Do you have a corridor? If so, could you put Ikea kallax or low bookshelves along the side of it?

Do you have space above your kitchen cupboards? You could store some toys/craft stuff in plastic boxes up there.

SlothinSpirit · 23/07/2021 17:54

You can also get stackable boxes which go on top of each other. There are some lovely stackable toy boxes.

Marguerite2000 · 23/07/2021 17:58

I would get rid of a lot of toys, tbh. Kids do not need hundreds of toys.
I bought storage divans for my kids, and the vast majority of their toys fitted under their beds, in addition to their trikes/bikes (stored in the hall or porch) and maybe one big toy each (eg fisher price kitchen) which would fit into a corner or bottom of wardrobe.

PotteringAlong · 23/07/2021 17:59

Get a high sleeper double bed like this:

www.wayfair.co.uk/children-nursery/pdp/just-kids-high-sleeper-bed-jkid2069.html

Put the kids beds under it or shed loads of storage under it

NomadMum · 23/07/2021 18:01

We live in a small home and we cut down a lot on the kids toys. I watched what he played with and stuff I was sure he hadn’t touched in at least I month I got rid of

ILoveTracey · 23/07/2021 18:22

Less toys is actually fine, optimum even. Full disclosure m: Mine definitely have to many but a lot of it's mine and his dad's old stuff too. I hate it but I'm a terrible declutterer.

www.activematters.org/too-many-toys-are-bad-for-children-study-suggests/

You probably do already but make sure every thing is working as hard as it can. You can get coffee tables that open out with storage, sofas that have storage. Bunk beds, under bed boxes we have shelves in our bathroom and corridor. Hampers on wardrobes.