What storage do you have and please help me decide what IKEA Trofast storage to get???

[leeloo1]

Hi all,

In a vague attempt to start making my home ready for childminding I was looking at the Trofast stuff that I've seen recommended on here, but I'm not sure what to get... oh and IKEA kindly sent me some money off vouchers, so its a good excuse to shop now!

In an ideal world I'd have everything low level and accessible by the children, but I don't have that much wall (floor?) space... so I wondered about getting 1 of those tall thin units. But, would that be a no-no with Ofsted as the children couldn't reach the top storage buckets?

What storage do you have for your mindees? I know about the idea of rotating toys, so I could keep some upstairs, but how much would you have available on any one day (it'd be for 2 x 1 year olds, including DS).

Sorry for rambling post and thanks in advance for any replies!

I have cupboard under stairs have put 3 shelving units in there hold approximately 25 16ltr boxes and 3 wheeled boxes of 60 ltr rotate toys regularly as well - ps don't forget ofsted like all boxes to be see through

I have boxes on tall shelves. They are not all see through, but do have pics on the outside. You may not want paint on a low shelf , or toys for older children where toddlers can reach them. If you have tall shelves, you should fix them to the wall, so they don't fall over if some little dear decides to climb them.

LM1 - I'd like to put the toys under the stairs, but DH keeps his beer and wine fridges there (don't tell the kids).

i hsve one of thoes tall thin shelves with the boxes in, from ikea, i've got one on its side in the play room and one tall in my dining room for arts and crafts. i choose the toys for the yonger ones each day and the 4 year old runs up and down the stairs choosing her own. the boxes arent see thirough but i have photos and labels on them to show whats in them.

as to how much, i dont have all that much! i have 1 or 2 boxes, then change during the nap!
hth

I thought the Trofast seemed quite pricey for what it is - for his playroom I am going to get DS the smallest Expedit in white and lie it down, then put the clear plastic boxes which they do to fit.

About half the price of Trofast.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my trofast - I got two of the stepped ones that look like stairs and the clothes pole to go between the two to hang up the dressing up clothes - its great

ANd worth every penny imho

As for the boxes being see thru - I have pictures of the contents on the front. The kids love being able to choose exactly what they want independantly which is great from ofsted perspective

I have the shorter trofast (each one holds three of the big boxes). I've got 3 units and various sized boxes. Some are used for keeping shoes and outdoor things in. Definitely worth the money (IMO).

Fantastic, thanks for the messages - seems there's a real range of ideas and very good to know it won't be an automatic unsatisfactory from Ofsted if I get tall shelves!

Luckily I'm well versed in the putting pictures on outsides of boxes - while pregnant with DS I laminated little pictures of clothes to sticky-velcro onto the outside of his drawers to show what went where - DH threatened to swap them all round to confuse me!