Toybox

Icarriedawatermelon

Does anyone have any recommendations for a somewhat nice toybox?? I'm trying to find one that doesn't scream toybox, i.e. plastic, pink, etc. I'd love for it to match the decor of my house somewhat. I'm having trouble finding what I'm looking for. I did see one in pottery barn, but it wasn't exactly what I wanted. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

mancila60

I would also say just find a wooden hope chest type piece. I'm not much help because H is making one for DS and he is going to stain it a color close to the furniture color we have in DS room.

Icarriedawatermelon

Snowboarderbritt said:

What about something like a cedar hope chest?

That's something I didn't think of. Thanks!

LittleBabyG2013

If you can wait a few months, Walmart always has those ottoman on sale on black friday. This is what we use!

This was from last year

ballygirl

I think we'll be going with a storage ottoman too. There's lots of options for colors and styles and materials.

sleepy33

I use big, soft-sided basket things. The bonus is that I put all the toys in it, and he entertains himself for a while by pulling it over, crawling halfway in and digging stuff out.

Sort of along these lines:

Lee81

I'm probably going to do something like this

It's should be easy for her to get to but keep her stuff relatively tidy and organized.

stephl3055

Lee81 said:

I'm probably going to do something like this It's should be easy for her to get to but keep her stuff relatively tidy and organized.

This is exactly what we have.  We have a 2x3 in her room, and I keep the totes/boxes downstairs to put her toys in each night.  There are different stains/finishes and tons of tote colors.  

hlb622

DH is making one as we speak! Partly to keep things contained, partly as a room divider so we can gate in the monkey.

sleepy33

breadandbutter07 said:

I know I'm probably a little paranoid, but I would make sure the storage ottoman/wooden chest is child safe -- is it possible to be trapped inside with no air ventilation? The ones made for kids' rooms have lightweight lids and don't have a tight seal.  We own a big trunk that would be great for baby room storage, but I feel like I'd have to drill air holes in it before I'd be comfortable leaving it in LO's room.  Until then, I'm using fabric boxes like @sleepy33.

I was literally just reading the paperwork from my doctor's office after our 9 mo check up this am, and one of the things it mentions is 'Store toys in a chest without a dropping lid' under 'avoiding choking and suffocation'.

shelley1002

We have one similar to this in black.  Its not very wide but is deep enough and also sturdy enough for kids to sit on.  I also like that the top of the front panel dips so their fingers cannot get pinched.

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3402882&cp=2255956.2273442.4213325.37771876.2256281&parentPage=family

ETA: Link

Icarriedawatermelon

breadandbutter07 said:

I know I'm probably a little paranoid, but I would make sure the storage ottoman/wooden chest is child safe -- is it possible to be trapped inside with no air ventilation? The ones made for kids' rooms have lightweight lids and don't have a tight seal.  We own a big trunk that would be great for baby room storage, but I feel like I'd have to drill air holes in it before I'd be comfortable leaving it in LO's room.  Until then, I'm using fabric boxes like @sleepy33.

I have thought of this too, which is why I'm hesitant to use a piece of furniture that wasn't designed to be a toybox. I think this is why I'm having a hard time finding something.

jennlin

we use an open wicker (?) basket like this:



and we have one in each room (living room, family room, 1 in each bedroom). having it open makes cleanup way easier.

shelley1002

Lee81 said:

I'm probably going to do something like this It's should be easy for her to get to but keep her stuff relatively tidy and organized.

The toybox linked above is in DS2's bedroom.  In the living room we have the Walmart version of the 9 cubby shelving unit and the Ikea version in DS1's room.

Herefishy87

We have this toy box for Ds1. He is really rough and this has managed to withstand the abuse. It's nice because the lid doesn't just slam down it has the struts to let it close slowly.

https://www.kidkraft.com/furniture-and-decor/storage/toy-boxes/14131

Ajoyd

sleepy33 said:

breadandbutter07 said:

I know I'm probably a little paranoid, but I would make sure the storage ottoman/wooden chest is child safe -- is it possible to be trapped inside with no air ventilation? The ones made for kids' rooms have lightweight lids and don't have a tight seal.  We own a big trunk that would be great for baby room storage, but I feel like I'd have to drill air holes in it before I'd be comfortable leaving it in LO's room.  Until then, I'm using fabric boxes like @sleepy33.

I was literally just reading the paperwork from my doctor's office after our 9 mo check up this am, and one of the things it mentions is 'Store toys in a chest without a dropping lid' under 'avoiding choking and suffocation'.

Yes. Without going into the gory details I read a horrific article about cedar chests. If you have one ANYWHERE in your home make sure your kids can't access/open it.

Land of Nod has really good toy chests that I would assume are child-friendly. 

ncase2

We got a faux-leather one from Target that fit our decor really nicely - matched our couch and you can't really tell it's a toybox. We're also going to use it as our "time out" spot. Similar to pic below.

ETA: This is in our living room, not DS's room. I have a few canvas totes in his room for toys.

Lee81

anamouse said:

Ajoyd said:

Yes. Without going into the gory details I read a horrific article about cedar chests. If you have one ANYWHERE in your home make sure your kids can't access/open it.

Land of Nod has really good toy chests that I would assume are child-friendly. 

I believe you can get a replacement mechanism so it doesn't self lock. I also saw a news story on this.
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I probably would not have thought of this, so thank you. Looks like Nana's cedar chest is getting some new hardware.