To ask for toy storage ideas for my lounge

[Whitecandle]

I know this isn't an AIBU thread but posting for traffic...

My DS is 8 months and with Christmas coming up I'm looking into toy storage for the living room. I have no idea what to go for. Ideally want something easily accessible. Seen a few pics as below but want something to look half decent!!

What have you got?

[zoobaby]

I will, forevermore, always choose something that hides the toys away because looking at plastic tat 24/7 is shit [insert laugh of bitter experience]. The Ikea Stuva bench with drawer underneath saved my sanity - open the drawer and chuck it all in. Out of sight, out of mind, breathe and relax. Easy for DC to access and also easy for them to help clear away. Perfectly stable if you have a little climber.

It's not slim though. When we lived in a flat, we actually stored it underneath the dining table .

[Whitecandle]

The reason I wanted something open was for ease of access for my son as he gets older. But I totally get wanting to hide it away. And probably now thinking about it, would be best to have an option to hide it away.

Thanks for all your recommendations.

[BeanBag7]

Definitely better to have an option to hide the toys. When we have guests over I can just shove all the toys in the drawers and pretend they're not there, rather than having them overflowing all over the floor

As for access, they are unlikely to be playing for long periods of time unsupervised so you will be there to help them open the drawers or whatever system you have. By the time they are old enough to play alone they will be able to get into the drawers or come and ask you to help.

[randomsabreuse]

Kallax 2x4 works nicely enough as a TV stand which might steal space to fit one in. I have labelled the drawers and will add pictures when DC2 gets to the able to decide what toys but can't read yet stage. DC1 can read enough (and has the memory of an elephant for toy locations) so I never got that far.

[randomsabreuse]

Disaster area at the moment but gives an idea - playroom/conservatory

[Whitecandle]

@randomsabreuse oh gosh I'm dreading all these toys lol. I definitely don't have room for kids hahahahaha!

My tv is on the wall to save space as I don't have space for a tv unit.

Literally struggling as I genuinely don't have space for a unit anywhere. No idea what I can do.

[Whymustyoubringinthebirds]

I've got a toy bag/box thing, it's quite big

LG can pull out toys and if needed it's easy to move upstairs or out the way, easy to just chuck things into at the end of the night

[Whitecandle]

Ignore the patches of paint on the wall - testing new colours before decorating.

My room isn't tiny but wall wise, I'm pretty stuck for space for a unit. The only free space is the wall which is by the door into the room but if it is deep it will look in the way as you walk in.

Other than that it'll have to be getting rid of my table which isn't practical with a baby really as I'd like us all to be able to sit there for tea.

[NearlyGranny]

Kallax if you don't mind looking at toy storage; ottoman (ottomen!?) if you do

[Whitecandle]

Maybe I could get rid of the lamp and put a kallax unit there with a table lamp on top. Will have to measure.

Bloody kids ruining my house! 🤣🤣

[Bellsofstclements]

Do you need to access that door? Could you put something in front of that?

[Whitecandle]

@Bellsofstclements I do 😟 it's the only storage I have so access it daily unfortunately.

And no room to store toys under there as I've thought of that too!

[Whitecandle]

It doesn't fit 😫😫😫

[AfterSomeAdvice1234]

If depth is a problem, have a look at wall cabinets - we got a really cheap plain wall cabinet from IKEA from their garage storage range that is only 32cm deep (ideal for an alcove) and added feet/painted it. Worked really well. Also if you have a bay window you could build/get a window seat with drawers/lid for surprisingly huge amounts of storage space (and extra seating!)

[maddening]

Kallax from IKEA, I is adaptable as you change uses, you can have boxes that slot in, cupboard inserts, drawer inserts and they come in colours that can suit any living space.

[Curious2468]

Kallax!! As much as you can squeeze in your house! It is the best invention ever

[36degrees]

My DSis uses a big rubber basket thing which gets filled and goes up to the kids' rooms before dinner every night.

[earlynightneeded]

I've got a leather ottoman in the living room (our flat is teeeeeny!) and I just pop the lid back on when she's sleeping and use as a coffee table

[Alwayswithalacrity]

The b and q Konnect Range are narrower than the Ikea ones if this helps!

[randomsabreuse]

You can get Kallax on wheels - so could "live" in front of cupboard/next to table and move out of the way.

We have space so are a bit lazy about tidy up time - should have instigated from as soon as she was mobile!

[zeromango]

We have a big storage footstool from Next (second hand from marketplace) so I chuck all the toys in that on and evening and then use it as a pouffe. Would something like that be an option? That way it would be fitting to your living room scheme, keep everything tidy and a good excuse to put your feet up

You can also get square and rectangle ottomans that are around £7 - £17 which hide things really well too! And aren't too big at all (plus easy access for your baby as they get bigger)

[maddening]

It would go where your big clock and clothes rack is?

[Jinxii]

We have a Victoria terrace and all open plan, so we have a living room and dining room combined with stairs all in the same space. We have this amazing understair storage called Clever Closet, it's all touvu-push drawers and so on. They installed it in a day.

[Whitecandle]

@maddening it's a table and chairs by the clock on the wall. Ideally I'd like to keep that so we can eat as a family not that we ever do

[Cleverplayonwords]

Storage foot stools, they don't need wall space.