apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How about storage ottomans? They come in assorted sizes and colors and can double as extra seating. Store them under a coffee table or a sidetable/console table if space is tight.

We use a small canvas laundry bin from The Container Store. When it's full to bursting, that means it's time to chuck some out of date toys!

we have the same issue...! and we've gone back and forth trying to figure it out.

we've thought about buying storage bins from Target:
a. Natural storage bin with solid lids
b. 6 bin storage unit

http://www.target.com/6-Bin-Storage-Unit/dp/B00007LVB4/sr=1-3/qid=1193169015/ref=sr_1_3/602-8168575-1117454?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Akids%20storage&page=1

http://www.target.com/Natural-Storage-Bin-Solid-Bins/dp/B000CSPO1A/sr=1-7/qid=1193169015/ref=sr_1_7/602-8168575-1117454?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Akids%20storage&page=1

And we've also bought a simple, wooden toy chest that looks nice/blends well in adult space.

I also recently saw this which might be an option but pricier:
http://www.sparkability.net/charlesstorage.html

From my experience, if my daughter cannot see the toys, she doesn't play with them. For that reason, we use clear storage containers on a shelf similar to the first link in the above comment. Down the road, I would like to get canvas bins.

you don't want storage boxes or drawers with sharp corners, drawers that can be pulled all the way out (denting floor), containers that can be easily dented or damaged. you want something kids can negotiate by themselves, so you don't have to come in every 10 minutes to help get things out or put things away.

one of the best solutions i've found is soft, flexible baskets that are made out of heavy jute, twine, or woven straw. they stand up and hold a variety of children's toys, yet they're flexible so they don't poke or break (like reed baskets).

they look great on shelves, and you can't see what's in them until you're up close. they're easy for children to manage on their own (ours have big handles on the sides), easy to fill quickly with toys, and easy to reappropriate to some other use later when the toys are outgrown.

We use 3 leather (faux?) bins I found at Home Goods. I always see a version of these bins there, and it ties in very nicely with our furniture. They come in different sizes and colors (deep red, mahogany, forest green, caramel.) If the toys start spilling out the top, I rotate some into the storage bins in the garage.

We already had the IKEA Norrebo TV unit in our family room, so when we needed to add toy storage, we just got the Norrebo storage bench. Sam uses the top part of the bench as his kitchen (he has the Alex stovetop) and/or workbench, depending on whether he's a chef or a mechanic that day. Inside, we use some standard-issue IKEA plastic storage bins to keep the blocks separate from the Duplo and whatnot, and it all works really well.

The entire set-up is made of wood and is incredibly solid. The great thing is that, because we've pushed the toybox flush with the TV stand, it looks like one long contiguous unit along the wall, so a lot of people assume it's a custom built-in. And all for under $250.

we use those container store bins ourselves, they are pretty sturdy and blend in. in our 1-bedroom apt, the "den" is our playroom too. we relocated stereo equipment and vinyl records (oh the sacrifices!) off of our main shelving unit in exchange for books and toys. http://www.flickr.com/photos/margotmac/477686834/
( here it is looking messier http://www.flickr.com/photos/margotmac/1663115982/ those bins are good for holding wraps and slings too)

it was a necessary choice as we have no room for more furniture or storage etc. but it works - she loves seeing all her toys out in the open and being able to walk up and grab what she likes. the stuff in the bins is either played with less or dumped out into a giant pile and ignored. sometimes the bins themselves are the toy - she sits in them. its also nice to rotate the toys on display for her.

its also kinda nice not to have the toys completely out of sight. we have an integration thing going on - we all use the same space and all of our things get their little place in the system.

We have a Hemnes day bed from Ikea for guests, and all the toys go in the drawers underneath. It's not my favorite piece of furniture in terms of looks, but it is very, very practical.