Name: Kacey
Child's Name and Age: Sylvie, 2 years old
Location: South River, New Jersey
Category: Toys
Items used for the project and favorite part of the storage solution:
We live in a tiny apartment and I am always struggling with how to store all of our stuff and still keep our home cozy and relaxing. Once Sylvie hit the toddler stage I knew I needed to re-think her room but also knew we couldn't afford the things I really wanted, like a big activity table with drawers or a great vintage credenza to hold her stuff. I watched Craigslist for months but never found anything just right. While shopping for something else we stumbled upon the Ikea Lack side tables for $12.99 each.
They come in a bunch of colors and seemed like the perfect size, so we bought 3 pink ones on the spot. I then ordered the 3 baskets from Land of Nod, and was thrilled when they arrived and fit under the tables perfectly. One basket holds her stuffed animals (or her "friends" as she refers to them), one basket holds all of her musical instruments, and the third basket holds the rest of her various small toys.
Sylvie's favorite part is the big neighborhood and train set on the table top, and I love having dedicated storage for all of her stuff.
Best storage tip for families with children:
Give every item a home. Clean up is so easy when things have a designated spot to return to. Sylvie isn't always thrilled when it's time to clean up but she does know where everything belongs.
Thanks for entering, Kacey!
This is beautiful and clever. I love that Sylvie doesn't have to deal with closet doors in order to get to her toys. You've also done a great job mixing pastel and bright colors -- I love it!
view casey11's profile
Sylvie I love your room! What a great idea!
view littlewhirl's profile
yes, I love it! The room is so cozy yet completely organized. Are those vintage Fisher Price little people I see in one photo?
view kellybeegee's profile
Those windows are gorgeous!
view schnappycat's profile
Great idea! BTW, Target currently has "laundry baskets" that look like the LoN baskets too, so maybe check those out if you're looking to do the same thing. :)
view Keri Kolumbus's profile
beautiful playroom! do you ever run into issues with spaces or gaps between each lack table? or toys getting knocked over?
what size are those LON baskets? i'm totally stealing this idea!
view selena's profile
Love that idea, thx!
view Lizzykewl's profile
Super room! this is a great idea for grandma's small apt for visiting grandchildren. Very COOL, Kacey.
view Bev at Pru's profile
Thanks for the compliments! It was just dumb luck that the baskets fit so well under the tables and the whole thing was so cheap! Keri, that's cool about Target offering similar floor bins! That was my first place searching for baskets but the only things that came close to what I wanted in my store were $30 each and not tall enough.
Selena, here is a link for the LoN floor bins.
http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=106&f=4111&pc=16
The page says they're 16 inches in diameter and 15 inches high. The tables are I think 21 inches square and about 15-16 inches high, so the baskets just fit under the tops. Also, we definitely expected to have to anchor the tables together to create a streamlined top without any gaps or spaces, but we pretty much realized as soon as we set it up that it wasn't necessary. The tables are a decent weight and just don't pull apart. About falling toys or them getting knocked over, well Sylvie enjoys pushing her toys off the edge, does that count? :)
view ambies's profile
One other thing - Selena, maybe it's our rental grade carpet that keeps the tables in place? It's a cheap and bumpy berber, so it probably gives good traction. If these tables were pushed together on a smooth floor I'm guessing they'd need to be anchored together.
And I also meant to say that yes, those are vintage Sesame Street figures!! They were my husband's set when he was Syl's age and they've been passed around his family for years.
view ambies's profile
That's really cute. I might use that idea for our playroom storage!
view Velociraptor's profile
So bright and cheery, and it is nice that it is all manageable for your little one!
view tic_tac_toe's profile
I totally agree with Bev! This idea isn't just for the mom! Grandma's, Mimi's and Nana's can benefit from it too. Thanks, Kacey!
view kaymac's profile
Completely beautiful room, and the storage looks so convenient for Sylvie. I love it! :)
view cityprof's profile
I love this look! It is simple, elegant, and very practical. For maximum fun, all of the toys are easily within your daughter's reach. I also appreciate the fact that this set up can be done on a tight budget. Thanks for the great idea!
view queenb's profile
The train set is so perfect on top of the tables. Gorgeous, Kacey!
view elltea's profile
What a gorgeous layout that makes clean up a snap! What a special room!
view susiequesie's profile
This really is a great idea. SO functional and makes for quick cleanup.
view muser74's profile
This kid's room RULES!
view jonny_a's profile
where were you when my kids were little! i love it!!!! so convenient for little ones to learn to tidy up, easy and fun which is more than 1/2 the chore of getting them to "want" to help. you've done a wonderful job.
view twowards2's profile
A great idea! Wish I had thought of this when my kids were small!. Life is So much easier when everything is in order.
view twowards2's profile
Love love love it! I'm definitly going to try this in my daughter's room. Great job Kacey!
view FebruaryStar's profile
Wonderful! I'm loving every minute of it.
view johnnyjohnjohn's profile
lovely room - I wish I could vote for you!
view nikkivi's profile