Family Days: Creative Storage Solutions

Hi, everyone! I’m Stephanie, another new member of the neighborbee team. I’ll be writing about kids and family. There are so many activities for families in New York and as a busy parent, it’s hard to keep track of them all. I’ll be helping with that as well as providing information on other important issues relating to family lifestyle.

One of the most important concerns is storage. Simply put, children = clutter. We all know that storage space Toys are always of varying sizes and it can be a hassle to find a special place for them besides the living room floor. And clothes, well, I’m sure I don’t even have to explain.

There are a few great places around the city to buy essential storage pieces for your home. Mini Jake in Williamsburg features creative storage solutions that look like toys. Options include the BB2 Toy Caddy, featured below, which essentially is also a toy.

Admittedly, I don’t have kids, but my favorite places to look for storage solutions are Etsy, CraigsList, and The Container Store. Pretty random list, right?

Etsy always has a lot of great finds, like this toy box, which can come with a matching bookcase. CraigsList is one of my favorite parts about living in this city. I moved here from another city in the Northeast where it’s barely used, so I was overjoyed to learn that the furniture section can often offer up hidden gems. Of course, you have to trust your instincts. Sellers can be elusive or the item may not be exactly as listed, but it’s definitely worth taking a look. (Stay away from the used breast pump: I saw that the other day. Gross!) Also helpful is the free stuff section. Again, items may be slightly different than listed, but hey– they’re free!

Every time I go into The Container Store (the one on Sixth Avenue, the one on Lexington kind of drives me nuts for some reason) I see parents planning to decorate their kid’s bedroom. It’s no secret they have great ideas for tiny (not just small) spaces.

Another resource that a few parents I know have used is…school. Schools get rid of furniture all the time—for free. Check in with your child’s school, schools in your neighborhood, your local library branch, and even commercial offices. I’m sure the Mid-Manhattan Library would be a good place to start. You can find anything: desks, bookcases, and chairs. It’s probably worth the cab ride home since you’re saving so much on furniture. With a coat of paint, these items can be transformed into something your child will love. Here’s a solution of using lockers from a local school and painting them two colors. I’m very jealous.

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