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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask where to put all the hand me downs that's not a loft?

20 replies

MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 10:58

Those of you with DCs of different ages where you are saving clothes/toys etc for a younger DC(s), where do you store everything?

I used to shove it all in the loft as it was boarded, built in ladder etc but have moved recently and the loft here is really hard to get to and use and hasn't got much space that can be reached.

As DC3 is still in my room and DC1 and DC2 are sharing we have space in a currently 'spare/guest' bedroom to put stuff, but it's just piled up in those big storage bags at the moment and looks really rubbish and messy.

Is there a good solution? Should I get hold of some drawers/wardrobes to put it away properly? What do other people do? Does everyone just use the loft?

Can't afford to sort out the loft at the moment plus I was thinking it would be better for the clothes if they're stored in the actual house and not the loft?

OP posts:
MandaLynn · 03/12/2022 11:00

How far apart art DC in age? Think it depends on how long the clothes need to be stored before they'll be used again.

Merryoldgoat · 03/12/2022 11:00

I use vacuum pack bags and shove in my airing cupboard.

BringbackSpringsteen · 03/12/2022 11:01

We have an ottoman storage bed where we put these - in bags by size.

The other thing which I have got better at is going through it before putting it away and removing stuff in bad condition - I found I was previously storing stuff I wasn't really going to use again.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 03/12/2022 11:01

Under the bed in vacuum bags?
an ottoman gas lift bed allows loads of room for stuff like this- maybe in the spare room

OppositeNumber · 03/12/2022 11:02

I’m in a flat so no loft. Stuff that is out of circulation goes in under bed drawers.

StillTryingtoBuy · 03/12/2022 11:03

Everyone definitely doesn’t use a loft as not everyone has a loft 🙃 When we lived in a flat we just had to picky about what we’d keep - not everything in a particular size, just stuff that would be expensive to replace or was much loved. We turned down plenty of offers of hand
me downs too. We’re in London, most people around us don’t have loads of storage space so there would often be offers of clothes going round and we’d take up those offers if they came at the right time for us and wouldn’t need to be stored too long.

Really you just have to see how much storage space you have and only keep what you can fit…you could pay for storage somewhere for bigger items if you think it’s worth it, or better again try to improve the loft space and access if you’re able to?

Patty101 · 03/12/2022 11:03

Those plastic tubs that hold quite a bit but still shallow enough to slide under the beds.

Mosaic123 · 03/12/2022 11:04

Under the bed storage is good.

Or do you have a close relative that might have some space you can use?

Heyahun · 03/12/2022 11:04

We have drawers under our bed and vacuum bagged a lot of stuff to go under there. I did sell the next to me cot and other big items though as we don’t have space and will just buy them again when / if we need them ! Got it all second hand anyway

StillTryingtoBuy · 03/12/2022 11:05

Sorry, you said improving the loft isn’t an option. Relatives or friends with space could work too…or can you loan out some bigger items / toys until you need them?

Original poster
MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 11:29

MandaLynn · 03/12/2022 11:00

How far apart art DC in age? Think it depends on how long the clothes need to be stored before they'll be used again.

That's a good question! Three years between the older two and the younger one so quite a while to store.

Under the bed sounds like the way to go, and I have been thinking about an ottoman which would look neater I think.

We will hopefully improve the loft eventually but it's not affordable at the moment.

No nearby relatives or friends who could store.

I think being more picky about what is kept is key. I find it really hard letting go of stuff though, even though some should be really easy (eg DS2 isn't going to be using any of his older sister's dresses!). Possibly because even though DH is definitely done with having children, and logistically/financially/emotionally another one would be a terrible idea I'm finding it hard to come to terms with DS being the final one.

OP posts:
FourTeaFallOut · 03/12/2022 11:32

Vac packed and in drawers under the kid in waitings bed.

M0rT · 03/12/2022 11:38

I don't have hand me downs to store but I have bags of my own clothes.
I use those storage benches with vacuum bags. I stick a label on the vacuum bags too and store things together.
So winter warm/summer casual etc.
When you're sorting what to keep think of seasons and likely sizes.
No point keeping a warm coat if the child who will inherit it is likely to be that size in the summer.

Original poster
MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 12:05

M0rT · 03/12/2022 11:38

I don't have hand me downs to store but I have bags of my own clothes.
I use those storage benches with vacuum bags. I stick a label on the vacuum bags too and store things together.
So winter warm/summer casual etc.
When you're sorting what to keep think of seasons and likely sizes.
No point keeping a warm coat if the child who will inherit it is likely to be that size in the summer.

This kind of thing as a storage bench? www.dunelm.com/product/luxe-traveller-grey-velvet-ottoman-1000200543

That would look a lot neater.

OP posts:
Original poster
MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 12:07

FourTeaFallOut · 03/12/2022 11:32

Vac packed and in drawers under the kid in waitings bed.

I think making better use of space in DC room is a good idea.

OP posts:
M0rT · 03/12/2022 12:07

Exactly like that, I have two. They act as seats as well so dual purpose as I don't have loads of extra space.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 03/12/2022 12:11

You can also get fold up cube boxes with a lid ( I’m not explaining this very well) which are sturdy enough to sit on but which fold up flat if you are not using them.
And they are cheap!

To ask where to put all the hand me downs that's not a loft?
Original poster
MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 12:51

Thanks both!

OP posts:
StillTryingtoBuy · 03/12/2022 15:52

MarianneVos · 03/12/2022 11:29

That's a good question! Three years between the older two and the younger one so quite a while to store.

Under the bed sounds like the way to go, and I have been thinking about an ottoman which would look neater I think.

We will hopefully improve the loft eventually but it's not affordable at the moment.

No nearby relatives or friends who could store.

I think being more picky about what is kept is key. I find it really hard letting go of stuff though, even though some should be really easy (eg DS2 isn't going to be using any of his older sister's dresses!). Possibly because even though DH is definitely done with having children, and logistically/financially/emotionally another one would be a terrible idea I'm finding it hard to come to terms with DS being the final one.

Show quote history

If you’re going to be storing stuff for 3 years, it doesn’t really need to be anyone nearby so you might still have options from family and friends? But definitely be picky, and also let your youngest wear stuff before it fits perfectly, jumpers and dresses can be worn when baggy and you’ll get longer out of items anyway. Totally get the emotional aspect of it too though ❤️

TeenDivided · 03/12/2022 16:32

In a small blanket box in the spare room.
I kept a list blu-tacked to the inside of the lid so I knew what as there.
I had a 6 year age gap in sizes so only kept things that were both in good condition and that I actually liked.
DD2 loved getting 'new' clothes from her sister without having to go to the shops.

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