Toy Storage

[Kiley]

Tell me about what you use/do for toy storage? We're "full" as it is and with Christmas coming up...we're likely to be overwhelmed!

[emschwar]

I thought there was a thread on this, but I can't find it.

We are overflowing with toys. Right now, in Noah's room, we have one of these bin dealies from Target: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1162081124/ref=sr_1_2/601-5535742-3551313?ie=UTF8&asin=B0000CEJWZ
We also have some shelf cubes on one wall for more toy storage. And large canvas bins on the floor.

In the living room, we have this coffee table from ikea with baskets in the slots for his toys. http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=12835&langId=-1&categoryId=15799&chosenPartNumber=30045484
We also have a large rolling drawer cart for little people and cars. We have a small ikea bookshelf for books and puzzles. And soon, we're going to get a large, deep ikea shelf for holding all the d@mn little people sets that are currently littering the living room floor.

As I said, Noah has a lot of toys. That's what comes from being the first grandchild on either side.


ETA - my experience is that toy chests aren't very useful. They look nice when closed, but since it's one huge space to hold everything, your child can never find what they want and will end up pulling out everything to find the desired toy, which is invariably on the very bottom.

[Kiley]

Emily - that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Unfortunately, the storage unit cannot go in DS's room (too full) so it will go in the living room. I hate the primary colors of the bins....are there any that aren't that bright? I saw this too that I like but it's pricey.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_14/601-7827105-8565701?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00008XYR6

[kindermom]

First, we only have about 2/3 of M's toys and books out at any given time. She gets alot of hand me downs from her slightly older cousins. The spare toys, which are rotated out once a month or so, are kept in a storage tote in our laundry room.

On each floor with have book cases. We keep the bigger toys, like the brainy baby toys, out on the shelf. Books are stored with the spine out. And small toys are in small bins, mostly from BRU.

I agree with Emily about toy boxes. We have a large wooden crate for toys and she never goes into it. So now, I just put in stuffed anuimals which are easier to see and are larger so there is less to dig through.

I like the bins because I can just toss the toys in bins for a quick clean up and it hides the clutter neatly on shelves.

[emschwar]

Emily - that's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Unfortunately, the storage unit cannot go in DS's room (too full) so it will go in the living room. I hate the primary colors of the bins....are there any that aren't that bright? I saw this too that I like but it's pricey.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_14/601-7827105-8565701?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00008XYR6

I like that shelf too! I looked at it for Noah, but couldn't justify the price.

They make bin things that are pastels, but they're pretty girly. Trust me, soon enough your house will be covered in brightly colored little people sets and you won't care so much about the color of the bins ;)

I used to teach preschool, and the bins are great. Kids can get the toys out easily, and even better, put them away easily! Although, for a cleanup tip, label the bins with words and pictures as to what's supposed to go in them, and your kid(s) will have an easier time cleaning up, and no excuse for "I don't know where this goes!"

[Toonces]

ITA about the toy box. We have one and it's a PITA everytime DD gets into it. We have something like this (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-7/qid=1162083125/ref=sr_1_7/601-1745933-4476166?ie=UTF8&asin=B00023C6NO) from Target, but ours are two single level cubbies (couldn't find it online). We also have these folding mesh cubes (http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71225&PRODID=72110) from The Container Store. We keep her Little People and Weebles in a funky picnic basket that I got at Target this summer. She likes to open it and dig around for her Little People/Weebles. We keep stuffed animals in a tall round lined wicker laundry basket.

[Kiley]

Trust me, soon enough your house will be covered in brightly colored little people sets and you won't care so much about the color of the bins ;)

Good point! :D

[JRPAGV]

I just bought a big, clear plastic Rubbermaid container for the playroom. That way the color doesn't clash with the rest of the decor (it's also the sunroom), and DS can see which toys are in there. Cheap, but it works for now.

DS also has some toys in his room. I found a set of three white wicker baskets with gingham lining at Michael's. I put his books in the two smaller ones and his toys in the larger basket.