We're sure you've noticed, as we have, that IKEA's Expedit bookcase frequently pops up in many a kids' room. It's a great storage and display piece, all for $159.
The sixteen cubby holes can hold lots of goodies - clothing, toys, and supplies. We like that everything is on display so toys and supplies can be easily viewed and accessed. Expedit also works as a great room divider in a shared room or to wall-off an intimate reading/resting area. We love seeing reader's photos and checking out all the accessories stored in each cubby.
Image: On-hand Modern


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My daughter has a tiny room (called a "single bedroom" since it only fits a single bed), but has all her stuff in it, neatly stashed in 2 of the medium-sized (8 cubby) Expedits.
we love ours in our playroom.
Has anyone had a problem with their child climbing it? Both of my kids are climbers and I wonder if this piece could still work for us.
My daughter climbs on top (but remember, it is only 2 cubbies high), and then leaps onto her bed. She doesn't climb up the higher one though.
also.make.splendid.doll.apartments!
We originally had our 8 cube expedit laying down but I turned it upright in the interest of floor space when the boys started sharing. After seeing the just 2yr old climbing over the top of the bunk to sit on the top of the shelf it was emptied (AGAIN!!) and laid back down. They don't climb on it this way, not challenging enough I guess.
Putting storage cubes (also sold at IKEA and fit perfectly in the expedit unit) in the bottom two rows can deter (not prevent!) a climber - no foothold, no climbing. But don't forget to pick up the straps to screw it all back to the wall just in case, IKEA have these (just ask). Otherwise its very sturdy.
Our Expidit fits perfectly in my sons built-in wardrobe. Its a great way to have all the toys stored away neatly behind closed doors. His clothes are stored in another built-in wardrobe in his brothers room.
this photo is great. i love all the storage ideas displayed in the cubbies. lucky kids to have such a cute playroom!
After such great success with the Expedit as a record/book shelf in our living room, we bought one as our primary furniture piece when our son was born. We use the drawer inserts for small items: socks and shoes, onesies, medicines, etc. The desk serves as our changing table. Eventually, we'll turn the changing table into a playhouse (I'm already formulating plans for that...), and then into an actual desk. Follow this link to a photo. It's a bit dark, and the organization has changed a bit in the past 9 months, but it will give you a general idea!
We love our Expedit! It makes it so easy to keep the playroom clean when everything has a place to go.
We haven't had problems with our daughter climbing on top of it yet, but she does love to crawl through it.
Here's a picture of our Expedit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23927797@N02/3770924124/in/set-72157621763601659/
I've wondered about the climbing, too, as I've considered this shelf over and over again. My toddler has managed to use the drawer knobs on his dresser as toe-holds to climb up. I fear maybe the cubbies look to ladder-like! But it's a perfect storage system!
The zippered canvas Reisenthel storage boxes available at the Container Store fit nicely in the cubbies of the Expedit. We use them for our daughter's clothes in her room, and for her toys in the living room.
She's not climbing yet, but we attached both bookcases (4x4s) to the wall with earthquake straps. We bought sturdier ones than they give you at IKEA.
Forgot to say that the Itso bins from Target fit very well into the expedit. Makes it look slightly less-climbworthy.
thanks for the tips. :)
anchoring them to the wall is of absolute essence and filling the lower cubbies with itso bins fills them sufficiently to deter climbing.
We have the 16 hole. Our 2.5 year old climbs it, but we have it bolted to the wall (hardware included) so we're not worried about it tipping. She usually just climbs to the top to get stuff out of the upper cubbies, but sometimes when she's feeling frisky she jumps off of it. She hasn't hurt herself yet (it really isn't that high) but if she does, we hope it isn't too bad and figure she'll certainly learn her lesson!
I'm poor, so I can't afford most bins that go into the expedit, but have found that bankers boxes (10 x 12 x 15) fit in there fairly well. Not as pretty as the fabric bins, but within my current budget.
Ikea now makes fabric boxes that fit the Expedit.
ksg I have to say that playroom is fanTAStic - beautiful job!
Make sure you attach anything over 30" high to the wall. If you don't want to bother, put these sideways.