Does anyone use one of those big Expedit units?

[MaryPoppinsBag]

And does it work well for childminding?

Thinking of putting one in my dining room as don't have a dedicated playroom in my new house. And I don't want it to look too kiddified.

Well I'm not a childminder but I use one (4 x 2 holes) with cream fabric baskets for toys. It's in the dining area of my open plan sitting room / dining room. Tbh you can't tell what's in the baskets until you pull them out. I think it looks smart and modern and not kidified at all

We have the 5x5 in the nursery, mainly for clothes. It's about 2/3 filled boxes of different colours and looks really smart

yes we have one, they are super

have it chained to the wall, for safety

Not a childminder but I think this is the one we have in our sitting room. It can have drawers or sort of chest things. We have found it invaluable since having DD. We don't yet have it attached to the wall but will be doing so very soon.

I have two, one full of toys in dd's room and one full of dp's records!

I had a 4x2 cube white one, but I think we might go for the 5x5 in black brown. With the wicker basket which will double the price of it

I'll be giving up my lovely red dresser though, but need the practical storage now.

DTs have one each in their rooms, with combination of drawers, cupboards, boxes and just shelves, very useful

Shop around for baskets, there are cheaper alternatives. My baskets were a couple of quid each from home base

Will have a look round for baskets.
I had some Vertbaudet ones in green for my son's room but they got wrecked easily.

I love love love my expedit for toy storage. It's a 4x4 one. I have some things in boxes (argos do lovely bright multicolour canvas boxes, 3for 10) as well as having some toys 'on display' such as farm house, a square for books, etc.

On the top shelf I have things that I don't want dd to reach yet (glitter, paint, etc) and then I've separated her toys into the remaining boxes (box of blocks, play dough, dressing up box, musical instruments, etc).

It works like a dream, dd knows the rule is that she an only have one box out at a time, meaning that tidying up is a breeze.

Not a childminder but I have one in dc's playroom with pink and blue boxes. It's great! I'm thinking of getting the 4x2 for sitting room for under the window.

we have one in the boys room. the bottom cubbies have fabric storage cubes (also brought from ikea) in them for the boys to store things like school work, sports kit and the open sections store books, ps3 games etc

Happydutchmummy I like the one box out at a time rule!

Going to take the plunge I think.

Found some alternative storage baskets at homebase for £7.99
Was thinking 10 but at that price it's still a bit pricey.
Might try 5 and then some of the Ikea fabric ones at £2.50.

I've just bought a set of 3 boxes from Argos for £8.49 (spots & stripes comes in blue, pink & lime green) & they're great although wish they had lids! We have the biggest expedit unit & have 6 boxes, 2 holes have the 2 mini ikea drawers which are great for lego, crayons etc and then the rest are open.

I have just got 3! its great, really hides everything well....however, I'm not sure what Ofsted will think of it because the children cant see what is in it...and frankly I spent too much on it to cover it in pictures and labels! Looks super smart though and its so much easier for me to tidy away now.

I love them!

But I would go with the £2.50 fabric boxes as the wicker ones will get wrecked and the plastic ones are pretty brittle and break easily and are sharp when broken!

If you want the children to know whats in each box then take a picture of the toys inside, laminate it then attatch on string on the inside but have it haning out iygwim...then they can see it, you can put it inside the box when you dont want the house so kiddyfied and you dont have to get the baskets that are see through!

Great ideas thanks.

I have the large unit in white in an alcove, with a single tall unit by its side (so 6x6 I think) with two rows of black fabric boxes and two sets of drawers. It hides the most amazing amount of shite and looks tidy.

Also have the unit with the desk attached in our office, a unit in each bedroom and the 2 x 2 with drawers for Sylvania in its entirety.

In fact I have it in various guises everywhere. Sometimes the plastic covering peels off, which is annoying.

I really peeved went back for four more baskets and they've gone back up to full price since Monday!

I am a childminder...We have them..One of my recommendations from Ofsted last inspection was labelling ..So mine are labelled with laminated photos..made it far easier to divide the toys rather than a free for all

Thank you.
I will try that when I get one.

Or do I go for Billy bookcases?

Had them before in our previous home.