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Toy storage: crates stacked high or...

26 replies

GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 06:41

My garage is heaving. My conservatory is piled up. My lounge is littered. My son's bedroom is covered... with toys and books.
I'm thinking of getting some efficient (takes a lot, minimises space consumed) storage cube things. Need to be the size of big crate type boxes. Any ideas?
I like the look of the GLTC type cubby joke things with canvas boxes and also the homebase Phoenix things (Similar), but many toys wouldn't fit into those small cubby holes.
I currently have a train table with a host of stuff underneath and piled on too. What to do?!

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CeQueLEnfer · 30/11/2013 06:42

Why don't you just have a clear out? It sounds like you've got way too much stuff. Like Fly Lady said: "you can't organise clutter, you can only get rid of it."

PastaBeeandCheese · 30/11/2013 06:45

Not sure if this is up your street but I'm buying a '25 hole' Ikea Expedit today with canvas boxes for toy storage.

If you search there was a thread on chat about a month ago about how amazing these are as toy storage units.

BillStickersIsInnocent · 30/11/2013 06:50

Second the expedit. We have three stacked against one wall, so 24 cubby holes in all. The canvas boxes are £2.50 each.

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GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 07:58

Ooooh. Thank you! Googling now!
Yes - need a clear out but would like the children to use the stuff I've (wasted money on) bought, before it goes. They're only 3 and 5 yrs old.

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Original poster
GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 07:59

How large is the inside capacity of each of the expedit boxes?

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PastaBeeandCheese · 30/11/2013 08:01

My DD is 2 and I've got another on the way so I think the Expedit will last years. Going to put the arts, crafts and playdoh on the top shelf so it isn't accessible at all times. Especially 6am on a Saturday.

PastaBeeandCheese · 30/11/2013 08:03

Just measured the 4 i have in the hall. The inside of each cubby hole is 14cm x 14cm not including the frame bit.

To illustrate I have 4 lever arch files in the hall one hidden behind the cupboard door insert you can buy for them.

PastaBeeandCheese · 30/11/2013 08:04

As in 4 cubby hole unit. Not 4 expedits. That would be over enthusiastic

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GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 08:04

I can't see the £2.50 boxes. Only the £8 Lekman boxes. Am I missing something?

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PastaBeeandCheese · 30/11/2013 08:13

m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/art/30219281/

Try this link.

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GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 08:25

Oooh. I love them. I now need to work out whether they'd take the hotch potch of jigsaws, magnetic boards, etc. that we have accumulated.

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GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 08:33

33,38,33cm. It was on your link Pasta. Thank you! Quite decently sized!

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NoComet · 30/11/2013 08:43

what we have

They do 2x2 as well. Take standard crates, which is great if you already use them.

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GoodnessKnows · 30/11/2013 08:46

Star, like those too as could pop crates into them. But there are only a few (3x2). I've a LOT of stuff. Will not be clearing most toys for another couple of years, at least.

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aGnotherGnu · 30/11/2013 08:46

We have (and love) the ikea trofast. A mixture o shallow medium and deep buckets which fit a huge amount in. Amazing, you just chuck stuff in and it's tidy.

One crate for music, one for animals, one for cars etc etc

TheArticFunky · 30/11/2013 09:26

I 'm going for a 24 hole expedit unit too. They look fab!

FelineExtraStrong · 30/11/2013 09:33

Be sure to put only light things above child head height, and heavy things at the bottom.

PassTheTwiglets · 30/11/2013 09:33

Another big fan of Trofast here - fantastic stuff. Easier to keep clean than canvas.

NoComet · 30/11/2013 09:37

We have 2 in the conservatory that swallowed happy street, wooden railway, Duplo, and random tat.

DD2 ha crate depth shelves filling chimney breast to walk, full if baby/soft toys

Dinning room has billy book cases full of children's books, adult books, craft stuff and there are crates and boxes on top of the dresser in there too.

Children don't an uncluttered house make Grin

NoComet · 30/11/2013 09:38

Has, wall

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GoodnessKnows · 01/12/2013 23:36

Star, which boxes fit the Happy Street stuff?

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NoComet · 02/12/2013 15:36

mine lives in two normal translucent argos boxes, but it's mostly tons of the discontinued road of ebay. The buildings are huge and a real pain.

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GoodnessKnows · 02/12/2013 22:44

Still need to work out how much expedit to order. Working on it!

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Original poster
GoodnessKnows · 04/12/2013 10:25

Okay. So I was about to order the expedit - 25 hole. I need to maximise space on the other side of the room and found the Billy to fit better:m.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/spr/49902654/
Now am hugely confused and reticent to order. Please advise! Anyone have this and know the dimensions of the shelves as would still like to use the £2.50 Drona boxes. Not happy about having two different styles in the same room but trying to maximise storage. Any thoughts?

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OnePlanOnHouzz · 05/12/2013 21:11

Make sure you secure them well to the wall as that age group like to climb when you are least expecting them to !!!

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