S/O Tell me about (or show me!) your dress-up storage solution...

[kayte]

Okay, I got the playfood all sorted out... Now I need to make our dress up more functional. Currently it's in the bottom draw of DD's dresser in some plastic tubs to separate the smaller things from the larger. But it either gets ignored or it all gets taken out and left in a heap in a frantic search for just the right thing.

I'd love to have hooks but don't know where to put them (or how safe they are) And I'd love to incorporate a mirror...

So tell me about what you've done and how it works...

[MarisaSF]

I love my friend's easy solution! She took a mover-type wardrobe box (carboard with hang bar). Cut it down to child-accessible height. Covered it in decorative paper (wallpaper, drawer liner, etc) -- her paper looks like woodgrain. Use with regular hangers. Shoes go in the bottom. You could put a mirror on the side. For a cardboard box, it looks really good! :)

Mine are in open, labeled bins in DD's room. The smaller bins are divided: hats, crowns, jewelry, accessories (wands mostly), doll clothes. The bigger bins are a jumble of (mostly) frilly things. :p

[alien_host]

I ended up finding the PBK washer and dryer as a floor model and she has her costumes stored (stuffed) in that. You could probably make a washer and dryer out of a cardboard box.

I'm going to use a hat box/round box for crowns/tiarras/hats etc. I have one somewhere that came from TJ Maxx (with a top and a rope like handle). I just need to locate it ;) I also may use a smaller box that looks like a jewelry type box for costume jewelry, beaded necklaces etc.

Prior to finding the washer/dryer the costumes were stuffed in those square IKEA plastic bins (the pink/green/blue ones with wheels).

ETA: how about a small kid's sized coat rack (like a standing one) or a set of hooks on the wall?

[purpleeyes]

I got a cool red shelf with hooks on the bottom from IKEA. (tried to find a pic, but no luck!) Anyway, I hang the clothes on the hooks, and store the accessories (hats, doctor kit, etc.) in two bins on the shelf on top. I have some cute round mirrors hung up, too. I got those in a set from Target.

HTH!

[MarisaSF]

Lakeshore learning has a few. You can create one based on one of their designs:

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|productSubCat~~p|AA321~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/dramaticplay/viewall.jsp

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|productSubCat~~p|WB885~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/dramaticplay/viewall.jsp

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|productSubCat~~p|FF886~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/dramaticplay/viewall.jsp

[kayte]

Marisa--Love those cabinets form Lakeshore....

I also came across this referenced in Amanda Soule's blog

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22554961@N00/2980621037/in/set-1791645/

IT is the dress up rack from Magic Cabin

http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&sc=1004&bc=1004&pgc=878&cmvalue=MCD|CROSSSELL|PRODUCT|744

I also found this one there...

http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1004&pgc=1270&cmvalue=MCD|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1

I don't think we have room for those but it is making me rethink how her closet is set up--perhaps and extra bar.... I am just not sure about using hangers... Maybe after a lesson or two.

[MarisaSF]

If you have room for IKEA's Trofast units, you can store shoes and accessories in the drawers or shelves and use the hang bars for dresses/outfits. They have pictures online, in store, and in the catalog with that type of combo. Here's the trofast line: http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeamsSearch?storeId=12&langId=-1&catalogId=11001&searchType=product&pageNumber=-1&orderBy=score&category=%23~Products&query=trofast

I still like my friend's mover's wardrobe box best though. :) Portable, recycled, and also recyclable.

[bubbaray]

We use this Little Tikes bench, only ours is pink:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bab/984703143.html

I got it on our local CL for a deal. Super cute.

[KrisM]

We use this Little Tikes bench, only ours is pink:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/bab/984703143.html

I got it on our local CL for a deal. Super cute.

How wide is that?

[bubbaray]

How wide is that?

I just measured. Its 34.5" wide, 22" deep and 27" high (at the highest point).

FWIW, they aren't made anymore AFAIK -- but I see them regularly on ebay and CL.

HTH

[new_mommy25]

I have been thinking about this a lot lately too.

We have 2 hooks on the wall and then DD has 1 basket and DS has two. I bought some more hooks to hang for DS but then we decided that we want to paint so I am holding off. I am actually considering getting a Container Store Elfa system in the closet and if I did that then I would have a bar hanging low to hang the dress up with a few baskets on the side for other accessories

DDs hooks and basket. She is only 2 so doesn't have much. I'll have to come up with something better soon soon. I love the idea you had of incorporating a mirror and may hang something for her.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3177336041_9e25a6d04c_m.jpg
Here are DS's bins. The one in front has costumes and the larger one in back has hats and accesories. You can see the Ninja turtle shell on top. I had planned to hang some hooks for him but am holding off since we want to paint and reconfigure the room.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3178181500_262f65ddf5_m.jpg

The hooks we use are just the 3M adhesive.

[HIU8]

We have a second toy bin where all the dress up stuff is stored, but we don't have any other options now. Our neighbors did something really neat. When they finished their basement they had a small child sized alcove built under the staircase. There is no door, but a dome entrance that they decorated. Inside are bins and a clothing bar where the dress up dresses are stored. They also made cut outs next to the alcove and fit drawers in there for the play jewelry. It was really very nice and kid accessible.