Well, I decided to start my organization projects this year in the boys’ rooms. The kiddos got lots of new toys this year for Christmas. Lots of toys with little itty bitty pieces that I envisioned all over the house. Legos, Playmobile, Star Wars figures… If you have boys, you know the ones!
So the day after boxing day I headed out to Ikea to look for some toy storage. Apparently I wasn’t the only one that had that thought – the place was crazy busy! Luckily I knew what I wanted so it was a quick trip {VERY unlike me!}
For the money, the Ikea Expedit has got to be one of the best organizational pieces out there. And three of the 2 x 2 cubes happened to fit quite nicely against one of the walls in Connor’s room.
{Sorry for the bad pictures but I ran out of time during the day to take pictures and had to sneak into Connor’s room while he was sleeping. Not the best light to say the least!}
If you are not familiar with the Expedit units, they come in a variety of configurations and can be customized with a number of different inserts or bins {you can check them out here}. I purchased 2 of the large drawer inserts and two of the 2 door inserts as well as 4 bins.
The bins I chose have handles to make them easier to pull out. It’s kind of hard to see in the picture as the handle hangs down from where the label holder is. Although they came with a lid, I think that they will end up being left off to make things easier for the boys.
I kind of like the checkered pattern on the inside anyways.
One of the other little additions that I made was to put a few dollar store baskets in the smaller drawers for the little toy items.
My kids love these “tube toys” {They come in the little tubes at Michaels or Jo-Anne’s} and they seem to make their way into most of the games that they play. Since they are in a basket they can easily be carted around to where ever their adventures may take them and it is much quicker and easier to clean up.
The empty cubes work well for larger toy items and stacked games or puzzles.
So I still want to do something with the wall above the storage unit but at least the toys all have a place to go now. The window nook is now also cleaned out and is ready for me to finally begin plans for a little reading nook. {I think this was last Spring that I was hoping to do this!}
Unfortunately the other side contains the pile of toys ready to head off to Craigslist and Goodwill.
But for now I will focus on this side of the room!
I still have lots of plans for this room and will be making a couple of little changes to the train table next. I also have some other favorite Expedit uses that I will be posting tomorrow. See you then!
I linked up at Under the Table and Dreaming, Ask Anna, Tidy Mom, The Shabby Nest, Gluesticks, Blue Cricket Design, Tip Junkie, The DIY Showoff, Positively Splendid, Lolly Jane, Be Different Act Normal, Design Dazzle, House of Hepworths, My Crazy Beautiful Life, Southern Lovely, Oopsey Daisy, Home Stories A to Z, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip To My Lou, Today’s Creative Blog, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Craft-O-Maniac, CRAFT, I Heart Naptime, Funky Junk Interiors, Too Much Time on My Hands, Tatertots and Jello, 30 Handmade Days, Chic on a Shoestring, Whipperberry, Somewhat Simple, Delightful Order, The 36th Avenue and The Shabby Creek Cottage.
Looks great! I love Ikea, and could easily spend hours strolling through the store. And, I really love the little reading nook! So, so fun! My girls would kill for a space like that…
This looks great!
I MUST BUY THOSE DRAWER INSERTS! we have 3 of those expedit units and i always forget about those drawers! I am inspired!!!!!! I shall corral those barbie shoes, tiny dress up jewelry, and itty bitty bits until it kills me!!!!! and i have you to thank. 🙂
I love the Expedit system! I have the large one in my office an dit’s so cute all styled up. I’m thinking about the small one for my daughter’s books, etc. That reading nook is to die for! Jealous! I’m sure it will be super cute once you get ahold of it!
I am an IKEA addict! I’m sitting here reading this post and trying to figure out where I could put this in my boys’ room. Seriously want your reading nook! Throw in some pillow and stuffed animals and you’ve got a little haven! Oh shoot! I am mentally planning another trip to IKEA as I’m writing this – oh well! Just pinned!
Awesome! Love this!
DaNita
Looks fabulous Jenn!! Made a trip to IKEA this past weekend…crazy busy!!!!! I get so ovewrwhelmed! having a game plan like you is the way to go! 🙂
I like what you’ve done with the Expedit, but what I LOVE is your window nook! Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Looks great! I was looking for storage solutions for my sons room as well- this looks like a great option. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh I am mighty jealous of your kids’ play space! And that nook that you’re going to make into a reading corner? Ugh, that’s just awesome! I’d love to have you come share this at the Head to Head Showdown, going live tonight at 10 at http://www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com Hope to see you there! ~Jen
Love what you have done in this space. Is is so calm which is rare for a play area. I am a new Twitter follower visiting from Thirty Handmade Days. Vicky from Mess For Less
I love it!! I think if I could put IKEA Expedits all over my house I would…You can do so much with them!!
Isn’t Ikea just awesome. They have such great things for keeping things organized and for clever storage
Oooo. It doesn’t get much better than Ikea for organizing!! This makes me want to go organize every space in my house! Great ideas Jenn! Thanks for linking!
Just wondering where you got the label/tags for the pull out drawers? Love the great organization inspiration!
What a fun way to organize! I especially love the mix of drawers and bins.
What a great post! Would you please share this with our readers for fun stuff fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/01/fun-stuff-fridays-6.html
Hi Nikki! I have no way of contacting you so hopefully you get this! The label holders came with the bins and I just printed out the labels on a basic word processing program on my computer onto thick white cardstock. Hope that helps!
Jenn 🙂
Love this project! You should share it with my readers @ thrift[me] blog: http://thriftmeblog.com/lets-organize-2012-kitchen-countertops-recap-link-party/.
Thanks!
Katy
I have a deep love affair with the expedit. And Ikea in general. Awesome work!
Thanks for the organization ideas, I love his room! Such a neat reading nook also! Love it. =)
this is so fabulous!I’d love if you would link it up to my blog party. I know my readers in the uk love american interior style. hope you can make it!
This is fabulous! I used Expedit bookcases to create a built in bookcase with window seat on one wall of my daughter’s room, but still need to get the baskets, and $15 apiece is a bit much for me. I love your baskets – where did you get them??