Comments on: Ikea hack for toy storage

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:07:32 +0000

As a parent who has gone through my boys’ toyroom at least 3 times in the last 2 years and we STILL have too much …ummmm… stuff that ends up scattered on the floors, I don’t want them to have enough toys to fill these bins.

That said, I think this would be an excellent solution for toys AND crafts together! I don’t necessarily want them pulling out the markers, melting beads, and clay any time they want, so those could be stored in the high shelves where they have to ask for help getting it down. Or the highest one yet (least often used) could store all the Valentine supplies that are only used once a year.

Love it!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:31:17 +0000

Like others, my kids have too many toys, but they do love them all. To keep them interested, and to help them be responsible for cleaning up their playroom, I divided their toys into seven large bins, which are stored out of their reach.
I divided the toys equally between the bins. A sorting toy in each bin, an equal number of stuffed animals in each, a builder toy in each bin, a craft toy in each, etc.
At the end of each day, they must pick up their toys and return them to the bin. That’s how they get the next bin. If they don’t pick up – they play with the same toys the next day.
So far – the system works. They pick up and they don’t get bored with their toys, they are always excited to get their “new” toys the next day.
Of course, they DO have a few favorites that have down all the time.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:32:14 +0000

You should try Toy Tamers by Kids’Klutter Tamers for great toy storage. They are a vinyl see-thru bags that zip closed, have a carrying handle that can unsnap and a toy i.d. holder. They are really easy for the kids to use and transport. They can be tossed into a toy box without the pieces mixing with other toys. They work great.
http://www.kidskluttertamers.com

By: Cecelia

Cecelia — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:23:22 +0000

I purchased a trofast system before my daughter was born. It is right next to my changing table. (It is the one with the three levels) At first I used it to store baby necessities since I had no clue what I would need near my changing table. Now that she is 9 months the top bin stores sleepers and all of the other bins store toys. I also keep my lamp, monitor, diaper caddy, sound machine and a few stuffed animals on the three levels. I love the fact that this storage system “grows with my child” It can be used for so much. Definitely a great investment!

Oh and the Trofast system comes in many different shapes and sizes so it would be easy to find one that suits your specific needs.

By: Downshifting - Professional Organizing Solutions

Downshifting - Professional Organizing Solutions — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:01:59 +0000

What a great idea. I know that many of my residential clients would love to have this in their kids closets or playroom.

By: Marten

Marten — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:34:13 +0000

I had more than 50 toys when I was a kid and I played with every single one. Bugger to you minimalist parents. However, as a parent myself now, if you’re going to use a storage system which puts toys far out of reach of the children who would play with them – you might as well get rid of the toys completely and only keep the ones they can reach. This solution, while looking smart, is not designed with the user in mind. In my book, that’s a complete design failure.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:06:33 +0000

The Trofast system that this mimics is about $100, but comes without a door.We have used it for years, one in each child’s room. You do have to reorganize every couple of years as they outgrow their toys (the legos have always survived the purges).

By: FrugalNYC

FrugalNYC — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:56:41 +0000

You could essentially take a large bookcase and use labeled boxes to store them. Labeling is the most important part.

By: jon

jon — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:46:10 +0000

Ikea hacker!!??!! Matt, thank you, you are a wonderful person. My house is packed with Ikea. Thanks for pointing me to a really useful place.

By: just me

just me — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:38:40 +0000

OUCH! $200.00 plus $20 per bin? I much prefer something like this http://www.target.com/Cubicles.....amp;page=1

with these
http://www.target.com/Whitmor-.....amp;page=1

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:50:50 +0000

Not bad, but unless your child is adept at climbing ladders, or is 6 feet tall, you’ll be spending a lot of time getting the toys down for her.

By: EllisG

EllisG — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:54:48 +0000

This is also good for toy rotation. Keep some stuff out of reach, in the higher bins. As bins at the bottom get played with and tired of, move that bin to the top and shift the others down. That will make them seem more fresh, because it’ll stretch out time between playing with toys. Strategies like that can help reduce the need for so many toys to begin with. But they can also help reduce the number of toys: If the thing isn’t exciting even after it’s been out of circulation for 6 bins, move it to the “give to charity bin”. (We keep a 36 gallon bin in the garage labelled “RM” for Rescue Mission, and call for them to pickup donations every 4-5 weeks.)

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:41:53 +0000

I have a toy storage problem, not for a child but a siberian husky. The fact that I have a problem tells me that she has too many toys, but I like to spoil her and her toys are clutter I can live with. I currently have one of those plastic drawer carts for her supplies, which organized her leash, some treats, flea treatment, poopie bags etc.

I recently cleaned out her toy box and got rid of many old and broken toys. I like the idea mentioned above but she’s a dog and she won’t be able to get to her toys if I store it like that (nor do I have the space for it). Currently I have a giant tupperware box and a toy box for dogs that is too small. Both are sitting on the floor. Any suggestions on how to keep it neat? Thanks.

By: Perfektly Mary

Perfektly Mary — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:34:24 +0000

I loved Deb’s suggestion for keeping organized your give away stuff. I’m constantly freecycling and have had clutter while waiting for the pick ups. This is a great solution!

By: Tabitha (From Single to Married)

Tabitha (From Single to Married) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:09:55 +0000

This is great and affordable too!

By: Baltimoron

Baltimoron — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:42:34 +0000

Those are not Trofast bins; they are the Komplement bins that go with Pax wardrobes. The Komplement bins are 8 inches wider and cost $20 as opposed to $3.

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:35:05 +0000

Perfect! As much as I hate clutter… I have an 18 mo. old boy and I see a lot of Legos in our future…

By: Another Deb

Another Deb — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:12:00 +0000

The system woud really be helpful on garage sale day. Just take out the top six bins and put them on the driveway.

By: Marcia "HDMac"

Marcia "HDMac" — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:55:55 +0000

What a great storage unit! I would love that for my crafts!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:54:29 +0000

This is brilliant. I’m creating a play room right now, and I will definitely consider this.