Jun15

Little Boy’s Room Freshen Up. Part 1 – More Storage

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I am in the process of overhauling my 3-year-old’s room.  After just about everything annoying me for ages, but not being motivated enough to instigate change, I forced myself to start this week. 

So what was annoying me?  Well he needed more space to store smaller toys away from his now roaming baby brother.  He also needed the room layout adjusted to give him more floor space to play with his favourite toy set of the minute – Fireman Sam.  I wanted to move and replace some of the artwork he had on his walls and set up a little gallery to hang his artwork.  I was hopping that all of the solutions I came up with would work for a 3-year-old, allowing him to better tidy his room and manage his ‘stuff’.

I dealt with the most important job first, improving storage.

We are getting additional storage being put into all our  bedroom cupboards by our cabinet-maker.  However he is so busy at the moment (he measured up over a month ago and we still have not got our quote), that I don’t think we will be ready to rock and roll anytime soon.  So wanting a cheap, temporary storage solution, Master O and I, stood thoughtfully at the cupboard door, singing the ‘Bob the Builder’ theme song for inspiration.  It worked and we measured up for a shelf to be placed in the lower section of the cupboard to hold boxes.  It took little effort to find an inexpensive, pre-made shelf suitable for the space at the local hardware store and a few brackets to attach it.

Before getting hubby to erect the shelf I decided to choose the storage boxes so that we knew the best height at which to hang the shelf.  After a bit of internet searching I couldn’t really go past the Ikea Trofast tubs for durability and price. I quite like the Trofast units as a storage solution so once the cabinetry gets done, I will be able to use these tubs elsewhere.

So up went the shelf (sorry about the picture quality but it was a terribly dreary day).  I know it looks a little skewed and does not sit flush with the side wall, but our house is this weird modern design and has no right angles.  Ok, I lie.  There is like 3. Tops.   

And in went the tubs.  The top two hold his beloved Fireman Sam set.  Two of the bottom tubs hold all his linen.  I keep it in his room in the off-chance of late night bed-wetting.  There is nothing worse than waking up the whole house, ratting around in the dark trying to find new sheets.  The remaining tub holds all the little fiddly toys that I worry about the baby swallowing.   Master O know that they can only be played with in his rooms and must get packed away as soon as he is finished.

I also bought some smaller Trofast tubs to store things on the built-in shelf at the top of the cupboard.  I have one box for new clothes, as I often buy clothes at the sales for him to grow into.  I also have a box for clothes he has grown out of.  When the box get full, I sort out which ones I will keep and store elsewhere for his brother and then I take the rest to the charity bins.  The third tub I keep up there to store keepsakes such as drawings or cards until I have time to properly preserve them in some manner.  Always thinking ahead, I have one tub left empty, just in case.

On the other side of the cupboard, I included baskets in his shelves to hold clothes that don’t need to be hung.  Unfortunately the shelves are a strange size and I couldn’t find any deep, solid containers.  I would prefer not to see the mess that occurs after Master O ‘helps’ putting away his clothes, so I can’t wait for these to be converted into drawers to hide the mess inside.   At the bottom of the cupboard is a flexi tub to throw all his shoes and bags.

Elsewhere in the room, I used a cheap pop up hamper to store  all the stuffed toys he likes to take to bed.

So that is how I have improved the storage in his room.  Pop back this weekend and see some of the cute and easy artwork and decorations I made for his room.

26 responses »

  1. What wonderful storage ideas! My boys LOVE Fireman Sam and one of them walks around the house saying he’s Norman 🙂 I will be using some of your ideas when it comes time to rearrange our boys closet! I am now a follower and will be on the lookout for your next part with the decorations! Hope you have a wonderful week!!

    Nicole

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  4. these are great storage ideas! i have two boys & can’t seem to keep their stuff in order. i also have a daughter… and that is even more challenging! thanks for sharing your tips!

    Would love for you to stop by and link up at my HEART&HOME link party at mercyINKblog.com! 🙂

    blessings!

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  6. This is an ongoing battle at our house. Although as they get older, they play w/ toys less and less so I think I just want to rid of all of them.

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  10. Jade,

    I also have a bunch of similiar plastic totes. -I love plastic storage. I use it for about anything hidden away. Keeps things dry and dust free.

    I followed you over from the Handy Man, Crafty Woman linky party. I would love if you stopped by my blog.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Laura

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  15. Great organization tips – very well thought out! Love the Bob the Builder song for inspiration — will have to try that next time I am stuck! Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy. Hope to see you again soon!

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  17. Great tips! I love the bins you have at the top of the closet… it’s just so hard to stay ahead of the mess. Thanks so much for sharing this project at Naptime Delights! I hope to see you again tomorrow!

    Sarah
    {www.naptimedelights.blogspot.com}

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  18. Thanks for linking up this week – your organization is inspirational – I realize I have a long way to go and need to work on especially in my girls’ closets!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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