Stylish toy storage solutions?

[Al&Em]

Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations for nice, stylish toy storage? With 2 children under 4, our house is rapidly becoming swamped in toy clutter (particularly cars!). At the moment we're surviving with multiple Ikea storage boxes but we're particularly keen to find alternative storage solutions for our living space downstairs or for our boy's bedrooms. Does anyone know any good websites or companies to look at or any tips?

[Mrs TP]

We got the wooden things from Ikea with the plastic slide in storage boxes. They get pulled in and out so much that you need something sturdy and easy to clean.

You will defo get prettier for more money but make sure it very hardy and not going to look trashed in 6mths. The good thing about plastic is that it is very easy to clean :)

[etta166]

I agree that the IKEA trofast system is great. Very practical and hard wearing. You can paint the wood to make it look better, but practicality has won over style in our house for now.

[Saffron]

I love the look and selection of storage solutions from GLTC.co.uk, but sadly I've not gotten around to buying any of them. Still drowning in Lego and plush toys. Sigh.

[vch]

We have a few Lego storage boxes that are pretty good for storing small cars, but not great for storing big bulky items. There are lots of colours to choose from if you look on the aplaceforeverything website.

Wanted to add that Made.com has some interesting storage pieces. There used to be a set of metal trunks that would be for storing toy cars.

[MrsAk]

We have the Ikea expedit bookshelves, they do a variety of different light weight colourful boxes - my friend uses gorilla tubs in hers. We have a single width one for my son's room due to space. The picture is from google to give you an idea. http://housematekate.com/2013/01/17/ikea-expedit-4th-rooms-a-charm/

[snowboarder]

We have the expedit too - they do work quite well....

[Convex]

We use trunki toy boxes. We keep toys in the living room in the fireplace alcove. What's nice us that it's not permanent and you can easily pull them in and out, we have duplo in one, trains in another, toy food in other, etc. Then a shelf above for bigger trucks etc.

Not super stylish but I think it looks nice and we could clear it out quickly if we wanted to return to a kud free space for awhile!

What I would really like is a wardrobe sized cupboard with a roller door so everything could magically disappear at night but we don't have the space!

Agree the gltc stuff us lovely though!

[bkkmei]

Lazzari do similar storage to gltc

http://www.colours.ltd.uk/lazzari/

gltc stuff is nice, but i do remember ordering a play table once from them and it took forever to get here.

I love the ikea expedit system. There are some lovely boxes you can get for them for about GBP15 per box. The DRONA canvas boxes are only GBP2.50 but probably not strong enough to hold lots of toy cars.

[eva_ben]

There are some interesting storage solutions on Ikea Hackers:

http://www.ikeahackers.net/

[SR]

If you decide on GLTC stuff try to buy on sale I am constantly getting sale emails from them, check for discount codes too.

I have some of these 3 sprouts canvas cubes in daughters bedroom - http://www.nubie.co.uk/furniture/toy-storage cheaper here but not as big a range of animals - http://www.dottyhippo.co.uk/storage-cubes/

Have also bought storage basket/boxes from zara home.

[louloulabelle]

hi

we have the expedit units too and have pull out material storage boxes in them so the toys are out of sight when needed but easy to take down when the kids want to rummage and play. we have one in the dining room with their craft bits n bobs in and one in the lounge with most of their other toys but come night time we can tidy away and it doesn't look like a creche!. you can leave a few squares without boxes as well and put your own bits in to make it more grown up, some books, stereo, vase etc.

we have a smaller one in the hall as well with same boxes in and keep their shoes in their so its easy pull out and again tidy and out of sight.

[cashewnut]

Funny article about Ikea expedit units:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/23/ikea-killed-off-expedit-storage

Don't worry though I think it is getting replaced by something almost identical.