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Original poster

also - best playroom storage system that will look neat, tidy, colourful and fun?

30 replies

naturopath · 05/03/2012 22:56

and not too expensive?

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IsLovingAndGiving · 05/03/2012 23:07

I love Ikea's trofast systems for storing toys. Also love their Expedit unit too.

Latsia · 05/03/2012 23:14

We have Ikea's trofast system too and very happy with it.

Aspace also do a nice (much more expensive) range but you can sometimes pick up clearance items from them.

MamaMaiasaura · 05/03/2012 23:15

Same as pp

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 05/03/2012 23:23

Another vote for trofast!

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:29

hmm, like the look of the trofast but colours are a bit same-y - would prefer brighter colours / more choice of colours (although I realise this is asking a bit much!)

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Rindercella · 05/03/2012 23:33

I am currently looking for the same sort of thing and so far, the best I have found has been from GLTC Even with the MN discount code (15%), it's still going to be at least 500 quid to get what I need. But it does look very nice. Gah.

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:37

I know!- I really like the Lazzari system but it looks way too expensive..

Also, I think the trofast might get to look a bit messy.. but maybe I'm wrong.

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CuriousMama · 05/03/2012 23:41

Our Trofast is in bright colours, have they stopped doing them?

CuriousMama · 05/03/2012 23:42

Messy? nope.

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:46

no, same colours as before, but they don't 'pop' - oh gosh, I'm being really picky now aren't I? The problem is when you have this fabulous idea in your head that unfortunately no-one sells! I would make my own if I had the time or the talent!

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ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 05/03/2012 23:47

I think trofast looks messy. I prefer the deep (almost 40cm) Billie bookshelves, side by side with the 'extenders' on the top (one goes across 2 sets of shelves) which you can put doors on (we had the beech with frosted doors) . We then put different storage things at different heights (tubs along the bottom, heavy coloured cardboard type boxes with lids on the next level) then a variety of books/games/big toys etc on the other shelves with 'need to ask to get down' stuff at the top. The cupboards were good for 'hidden gifts', art stuff etc .... loved it. I bang on about it all the time - I should be on commission from Ikea Grin

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:47

you know - like bright yellow and acid green, and purple and orange.. ah well..

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ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 05/03/2012 23:48

naturopath - we looked at lots of different options, couldn't find anything we liked. This gave us very tidy storage with the option of doors where we wanted them and then the storage sizes, colours, shapes we wanted - honestly, there was nothing not to love.

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 05/03/2012 23:50

We brought the colour in with the soft plastic tubs (the round ones you get from hardware stores), very solid coloured cardboard boxes, some plastic boxes... honestly, it looked fab. I can't post any photos as the ones of that were on a SD card that got damaged :(

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:50

yes, chipping in - I think I want to close everything away neatly at the end of the day (or whenever I might get around to tidying up!) and have a much more streamlined look externally..

was actually going to get the Billie bookcases for our books.. was thinking about using for toys but hadn't figured out how. Did you put that combination together yourself or do they have such a combination that I can look at online?

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Original poster
naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:53

ah - x-posts.. can sort of picture it but not properly. was thinking about having a combination of proper doors on cupboards / shelves and then having colourful tubs as well.. but again, want it to be bright and 'together' whilst also being neat and tidy.. I think problem with trofast is you see the frame and the boxes might get left lying around the house (I actually speak from experience!)

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CuriousMama · 05/03/2012 23:53

We have a large Billy in the dining room. In fact we're majorly Ikea yawn as dp loves them and I don't care enough about suchlike so let him buy what he likes.

Maybe you could just do a bit of tweaking with some paints or something? It's a shame when you have an idea and find it hard to bring to life. Am sure you'll find something soon?

MintChocAddict · 05/03/2012 23:54

I've got Expedit and filled the empty squares with brightly coloured heavy fabric boxes from Dunelm Mill which fit like a glove. They're cheap as chips and look great (if I do say so myself). Pinched the idea from a previous thread on here.

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:55

It would be hideously expensive to get something made wouldn't it? (I have no idea - maybe it wouldn't?)

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CuriousMama · 05/03/2012 23:56

With our trofast the boxes don't get taken out, ds2 uses them as drawers. He's older though. In fact I may sell them soon on ebay as they seem to go for a bit? And use that cash to buy something bigger.

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:58

ah yes, mintchocaddict -forgot - expedit was the other one I was looking at (haven't thought about this for a while) - as far as I can recall, I really like the frame but didn't like the boxes they do.

Interesting - I'm going to look up Dunhelm Mill! (do they do curtains as well? I think someone else recommended them for that..)

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CuriousMama · 05/03/2012 23:58

Could you not buy a Billy, and those boxes, and paint boxes even if just the front? Or use sticky back stuff? You can get that in all colours. The stuff they use on doors?

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naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:58

this really takes up so much time!!

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Original poster
naturopath · 05/03/2012 23:58

oh, thanks - you did it for me!

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