If you have any suggestions on what kind of toy box/storage solution, please let me know! I'm constantly downsizing the amount of toys we have, but I still need a good storage solution that is safe but looks good. Pics, links, names, etc., are appreciated.
:) 
Thanks!
IMO, it depends on the age of the kids and what you are storing. Toddler toys can sometimes go in on big toy box, but once they are 2 or 3, it helps to sort things. This way, when they go to play Little People, they don't have to dig to find them and take EVERYTHING out, get distracted and forget that they were going to play. I like systems like this:
http://www.target.com/02-033-RiverRidge-Kids-Storage-Cubby/dp/B002FK8LIG/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
I really love Ikea for toy storage.
We have two shorter Ikea Trofast systems and an Ikea Expedit system that we use for book and toy storage. They are both awesome. The Trofast is nice because the bins can be taken out individually and they make clean up easy. I plan on reorganizing my DS toys this weekend, and I am going to take pictures and tape them on each bin so DS and his friends will know what is in each bin. We have a 2x4 cubbie Expedit that we have with the long side horizontal. The top is great for story bulky Playmobil toys, like my DS pirate ship and ghost pirate ship. We also store toys in a basement rec room closet, and I plan to use Container store men's shoe bins and boot boxes to organize most of the things in there.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09848447
I have to agree with the PP's who suggest Ikea. We have 3 expedit's around the house. Here are some old pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/californiasaige/3310943448/in/set-72157614451742778/
Here are more recent pics (I have donated over half the stuff in the previous pics! LOL!):
We have the actual wooden toy box from Ikea, and it's great (although we don't keep toys in it, ahem). It has hinges that don't allow it to slam, no matter how hard you push on it, and it has a space between the lid and the top rim of the box so little fingers can't get caught in there.
It is deep, though. My older girl got stuck in there once on her second birthday, reaching for a toy down deep. "I reach, r-e-a-c-h...I fall in the toybox!"
Wow! Thanks, Ladies! Great ideas *AND* great inspiration!! :)
We have a toy box/bench from Nilo that we love. It isn't huge, but perfect for little hands to operate and very sturdy. We don't have Ikea here, so I have to make do with other options.
I really love Ikea for toy storage.
We have two shorter Ikea Trofast systems and an Ikea Expedit system that we use for book and toy storage. They are both awesome. The Trofast is nice because the bins can be taken out individually and they make clean up easy. I plan on reorganizing my DS toys this weekend, and I am going to take pictures and tape them on each bin so DS and his friends will know what is in each bin. We have a 2x4 cubbie Expedit that we have with the long side horizontal. The top is great for story bulky Playmobil toys, like my DS pirate ship and ghost pirate ship. We also store toys in a basement rec room closet, and I plan to use Container store men's shoe bins and boot boxes to organize most of the things in there.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09848447
I was going to post links for the same systems. I love my Expedit shelf with baskets I bought at a discount store. I am buying the Trofast system this weekend for DD's toys now that she is moving into the 'toys with pieces' stage after Christmas and with her birthday coming. I have a little wooden toy box from JCpenney.com but I hate it. It is supposed to stay open when opened, but it slams shut and the hinge piece does not work correctly. Also, her toys are all buried in there so it doesn't allow her to get something specific she might be interested in.
A simple idea that you may even have is to utilize a small book shelf or the bottom couple of shelves and put bins or baskets on it for toys with parts. For older children with small toys with small pieces you can get the clear plastic bins with lids so your children can see what it in them without having to dump containers out.
I really love Ikea for toy storage.
We have two shorter Ikea Trofast systems and an Ikea Expedit system that we use for book and toy storage. They are both awesome. The Trofast is nice because the bins can be taken out individually and they make clean up easy. I plan on reorganizing my DS toys this weekend, and I am going to take pictures and tape them on each bin so DS and his friends will know what is in each bin. We have a 2x4 cubbie Expedit that we have with the long side horizontal. The top is great for story bulky Playmobil toys, like my DS pirate ship and ghost pirate ship. We also store toys in a basement rec room closet, and I plan to use Container store men's shoe bins and boot boxes to organize most of the things in there.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09848447
I was going to post links for the same systems. I love my Expedit shelf with baskets I bought at a discount store. I am buying the Trofast system this weekend for DD's toys now that she is moving into the 'toys with pieces' stage after Christmas and with her birthday coming. I have a little wooden toy box from JCpenney.com but I hate it. It is supposed to stay open when opened, but it slams shut and the hinge piece does not work correctly. Also, her toys are all buried in there so it doesn't allow her to get something specific she might be interested in.
A simple idea that you may even have is to utilize a small book shelf or the bottom couple of shelves and put bins or baskets on it for toys with parts. For older children with small toys with small pieces you can get the clear plastic bins with lids so your children can see what it in them without having to dump containers out.
You will love it. I resisted buying them for a while. I am more traditional in my taste in furniture, but I really love them now that I have them. The Trofast is so practical. In our two small ones we started out with 4 small green bins and 4 medium red bins in them. I just bought two of the larges blue bins for this weekends big toy reorganization. And, now we will be using 2 green bins, 2 red bins, and 2 blue bins. I love that I can change the sizes of the bins as needed as his toys change.
What I use for now...
It's pretty good as long as you don't have a ton of toys. I had to get this because I was on a budget. If I could get anything, then I'd probably spend a little more and do something different. I like the ideas given in this thread so far.
Follow Mothering