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Original poster

Toy storage - recommendations please

21 replies

tiredandgrumpy · 04/01/2009 15:18

We are drowning underneath toys and need a big clearout. I'd also like to install some sort of system so the kids find it easier to tidy up. Trouble is, we don't have a lot of space and the toys need to be kept in the sitting room. Ideally we'd like something easy to use, but which isn't a plastic eyesore. So many of the toys seem to be fairly big (ie shoe box size) and most storage systems seem to cater only for smaller things.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

OP posts:
moodlumhohohoodlum · 04/01/2009 15:22

We put ikea's trofast system behind the sitting room door, so you couldn't really see it, and it worked really well. I wouldn't say it wasn't a plastic eyesore though.

Does that last sentence even make sense?

Original poster
tiredandgrumpy · 05/01/2009 10:45

Thank you - had also seen this one and wondered how popular it was. It's along the lines of what I was thinking. Could you paint the wooden frame at all, or do you think that might look naff?

OP posts:
MarmadukeScarlet · 05/01/2009 10:59

I have a couple of Cotswold Co Merchant's Chests - has willow baskets which pull out.

I have put a luggage label on each drawer with a pic on one side and the name of what goes in the other 'cars' or 'lego' etc - no excuses for anyone (DH inc) to not know where to put things!

(Do I wint the mnet Bunting Cupcake crown? )

Gorionine · 05/01/2009 11:06

I bought big colourful boxes that fit under the bed and on their pine woodshelves (cheap one that was very fashionable a few years ago) I have labels on each boxes too, not that the Dcs care very much though! There is 8 boxes all together (4under bead+4on shelves) As they all share the bedroom(4 of them) it is the most efficient way I have found so far to have enough floor space for them to actually play with the toys.

widgypog · 06/01/2009 17:59

we have got an ikea storage system ..it is clssed as a bookcase but can take all sorts of style boxes and it is big or at least it comes in different sizes so can be big if you need it. I have got a massive one and I have it in my dining room/ playroom all the toys go in it its is fab and only £70 ..mind you , you have to go get it and the boxes are a tenner each but it has big holes so you dont actually need boxes..will look see if I can find it if you are interested

nowwearefour · 06/01/2009 21:42

i would be interested in the name of the one you describe widgypog as i think it might be what i have in mind...

widgypog · 07/01/2009 16:54

ok will look now

BirdyArms · 07/01/2009 16:58

Widgypot, sounds like the expedite (sp?) shelves which we have. It is very versatile.

widgypog · 07/01/2009 16:59

toy storage

expedit!!! I knew it was on the tip of my tongue..comes in 3 sizes and screws to the wall like a bookcase but has holes for large toys . I bought zip up boxes and put loos items in them cand have them in every other hole then big things in the open holes.
since I bought it ALL my friends have them in differnet sizes and colours depending on their taste /house size. Honestly it is fantastic,I spent hpurs on the internet trying to find storgae but its all to small..no offence to the poster above but the trofast isnt a patch on this item in terms of organsing!! let me know if you have any more questions

widgypog · 07/01/2009 17:01

well done birdy ..must have looked at the same time!

fishnet · 07/01/2009 17:05

marmadukescarlett that was the option I was favouring. can you get much in the baskets though? most of the DSs bits seem to be quite big

ThingOne · 07/01/2009 17:22

Trofast is fantastic. You can paint it. You could always hid it behind a little curtain to make it more pleasing on the eye.

Spoo · 07/01/2009 17:26

We bought some second hand 30s bedroom furniture that doesn't look too out of place in our lounge. The wardrobe is narrow and has shelves in it. The cupboard has two drawers - one for cars the other for books and then two shelves. We bought them from a charity shop for £20. THey have worked really well.

FleaRiddenKitten · 07/01/2009 17:31
sleepyfriends · 07/01/2009 17:40

i use large wicker chests. The original 1 i bought from Argos but after christmas i bought an addition 1 from Homebase which had 2 smaller 1s inside.

These are qute pricey mind you but they look good when stacked up at the end of the day.

MarmadukeScarlet · 08/01/2009 14:21

fishnet The bottom 2 drawers are great 1 contains whole wooden brio rail track inc various oil/wash/train houses! Other contains a large lego (Duplo?) zoo and farm with loads of tractors and safari jeeps - although the zoo base is big with hills on so has to go next to rather than in. One mid size has big cars/vehicles, one small has matchbox sized cars and vehicles.

Smaller board games ok, but big ones do not fit very well.

They are quite pricey though, but it is my sitting room not a play room.

nowwearefour · 08/01/2009 19:08

yes the expedit is the exact one i was thinking of. thank you. will go and get it one evening!! just need to find some boxes to put in them now

duckyfuzz · 08/01/2009 19:15

we have expedit with kassett and nostalgisk boxes in it

nowwearefour · 08/01/2009 19:18

thanks for suggestion ducky will check them out

nowwearefour · 08/01/2009 19:27

what good taste you have duckyfuzz.i like. also good knowledge on financial things! wonder if i know you?!!!!!

widgypog · 08/01/2009 20:40

nowwearefour..they have loads of different boxes/containers in ikea that fir..they are not in the same place as the expedit though!!

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