Q: I'm looking for a large, modern style toy box to corral all the stuff our twin boys like to play with in our sitting room. We don't want anything cutesy, country, monogrammed, or that looks like a pirate's chest (nothing against these - they're just not our style!). This one pictured is the perfect style, but the interior dimensions are a bit small (only 31" wide and 12.5" deep) for two toddlers' toys. Any ideas for something similar but larger??
Sent by Amy
Editor: I'm not sure how much larger you'd like but Mod Mom Furniture's Gracie Box is a bit bigger and in a similar style. (Dimensions: 19 1/2 inches tall x 36 inches wide x 15 inches deep). Readers, can you point Amy to other options?
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we have an eastvold custom toy box and we love it! you can request what wood and laminate you want, size, with wheels or without. it's awesome! here's a picture of one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastvoldcustom/2870622188/
Do you have an unfinished wood furniture store near you? We bought a simple wood toy box for our son at one near us and stained it to match our wood preference. This route was MUCH more inexpensive than ordering one that was already finished!
You could buy a longer upholstered storage bench and then you have extra seating and toy storage as well.
I can't help myself from adding that I think tox boxes are the worst storage option for toys. Everything good goes to bottem, pieces get lost and broken, you can't see what you want, you forget about everything but is on top, etc. And that is just my experience, my kids *never* play with stuff in the tox box, always from cabinets (organized, easy to clean up, pieces not lost) or shallow bins. The toy box (gift) holds toys I want them to forget before we get rid of them.
I'm still contemplating the best method myself but I am currently liking having several canvas bins (http://www.target.com/p/ClosetMaid-2-Pack-Mocha-Fabric-Drawers/-/A-12193109) one with the wooden stuff, one with plastic stuff, one with music stuff. . .
I agree on the limitations of the toy box. Hard to access for kids, all on the bottom, etc. If you are really wanting the toy box, just rotate toys so there is always different new stuff in there. We use a few large storage bins that blend into our style. works.
I had the exact same problem and I did not want to spend a lot of money - I actually came up with a wonderful solution (and eventually will submit it to ohdeeoh....when i have time ;)
I went on CL and found a free toy box, it was made out of plywood and had been painted baby blue with horses. I then went out and bought some batting, some fabric, and a child-safety arm to keep the box from slamming closed. I checked out some youtube videos and spent a long evening upholstering it. Now it looks cute (totally goes with our decor) and because of the dimensions fits lots of stuff.
To address the problem that JudiAU mentioned, we put toys in baskets and then put them into the box, that way we can take out a bunch of things. Yes, toys still make it to the bottom, but we clear it out semi-regularly. The nice thing about using an actual toy box is that it fits large toys, like a fisher price garage.
i second the eastvold furniture! it is beautiful. also google modmom furniture. she makes a lovely, modern toybox.
I love this piece:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50161321/
Plexiglass, masonite/hardboard on the interior if you want to hide the contents. Good solid piece.
Not sure if this is too country for you, but these seem to be good quality: http://toyboxcity.com/amish_oak_toy_box_seat_rails.htm or this: http://toyboxcity.com/unfinished_toy_box_lc.htm. Doesn't mention lo/no-VOCs