Entertainment/Toy Storage All in One-Recommendations??

[new_mom_mry]

Hi, I am looking to replace our entertainment stand, and ideally would like something that could accommodate the TV, the cable box, DVD player, stereo, AND also have a few good size cubbies for toy storage...(sort of like IKEA's Expedit)....Alternatively, it has to do all of the aforementioned things but accommodate the TV, which we can just mount on the wall.

Does anyone have recommendations?? TIA!

[katydid1971]

Do you live near Ikea? They have lots of options but the most obvious is the Expedit that has an entertainment center.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10103093

[new_mom_mry]

Do you live near Ikea? They have lots of options but the most obvious is the Expedit that has an entertainment center.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10103093

Yes, we do. Great option...off the top of your head, do you know if there is a version of this Expedit with fewer cubbies? Right now, with just a 5 month old, I am thinking that there are too many cubbies in this Expedit and we don't need all this storage space...I am probably wrong though. Does anyone else think there are too many cubbies or will I WANT all this storage space in the living room when we have more than one kiddo. There is no separate den, so the living room would be the primary play area near the dining room and kitchen.

[mezzona]

how about the 5 cubby expedit (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116274) or 8 cubby expedit (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90144730) on its side and just put the dvd player, cable box, etc on top?

or lack tv unit (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40105340) or mosjo (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90144730) and this (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20135300) on either side?

[new_mom_mry]

great suggestions--I don't think I've ever owned IKEA furniture before...how's the quality of Expedits?? I want something that will hold up over time and last at least 5 years or so..

[MacMacMoo]

We have the Expedit entertainment unit. We just moved and it lasted.

This is how ours is set up.
Top row
cubby one DVD's stored in DVD binders
cubby two wii remote charger thingy
center cubby Wii and PS3
cubby four music cd's stored in the IKEA Kasset cd boxes
Cubby five dvd's in sleeves stored in the ikea Kasset Cd boxes

next shelf
cubby one Scrapbooks and other coffee table like books
cubby five box of batteries, screw driver snad other random objects

next shelf
cubby one box for wii games and remotes
cubby five box for PS3 games and remotes (when the two could fit nicely into one box this use to be a place where we kept diapers and wipes)

Next shelf
cubby one toy bin
upper cubby cable box and Belkin Concealed Surge Protector (Highly recommend)
lower cubby half height toy bins
cubby five toy bin

bottom shelf all cubbies have a toy bin.

If I didn't say what kind of box we used it's a fabric itso box from target.

With a five month old it may sound like a lot of toy storage but when they get into Little People and blocks and this that the other having half full boxes and everything sorted is really nice then having overflowing mixed up boxes.

We also have a play table that doubles as a coffee table that has two huge tundle drawers to store othe toys that are too big for the toy bins. Currently they are housing the geotrax.

[katydid1971]

My advice is go large, you will grown into it ;)

[new_mom_mry]

We have the Expedit entertainment unit. We just moved and it lasted.

thanks so much for your elaborate response!!!!

[KrisM]

Yes, we do. Great option...off the top of your head, do you know if there is a version of this Expedit with fewer cubbies? Right now, with just a 5 month old, I am thinking that there are too many cubbies in this Expedit and we don't need all this storage space...I am probably wrong though. Does anyone else think there are too many cubbies or will I WANT all this storage space in the living room when we have more than one kiddo. There is no separate den, so the living room would be the primary play area near the dining room and kitchen.

Eventually, he'll be older and have more stuff. You'll fill it, I'm sure.

[Globetrotter]

If you have one near you, check out Scandinavian Designs (a.k.a. Dania in some areas). We have a large unit from there (they are customizable so we put solid doors on the toy storage, so it's out of sight :)) - well made, attractive and functional, but significantly pricier than ikea. I expect this will last for years to come!

[citymama]

If you have one near you, check out Scandinavian Designs (a.k.a. Dania in some areas). We have a large unit from there (they are customizable so we put solid doors on the toy storage, so it's out of sight :)) - well made, attractive and functional, but significantly pricier than ikea. I expect this will last for years to come!

Is there a particular unit you recommend? I just drove by one today!

[new_mom_mry]

If you have one near you, check out Scandinavian Designs (a.k.a. Dania in some areas). We have a large unit from there (they are customizable so we put solid doors on the toy storage, so it's out of sight :)) - well made, attractive and functional, but significantly pricier than ikea. I expect this will last for years to come!

How funny...I am very well familiar with Scandinavian Designs (there are several locations in Silicon Valley, and if I recall correctly, one of them is an outlet), and in fact, our couch and arm chairs are from there. I'll have to peruse their website to see what options they have for entertainment centers. I am conflicted though, because with them, you pay a premium for the superior modern appearance relative to IKEA, and what's supposed to be better quality. I really like the quality of our upholstered furniture from them, but had a bad experience with a coffee table and a bookshelf. Thanks for the tip though!

[BayGirl2]

Eventually, he'll be older and have more stuff. You'll fill it, I'm sure.

Yeah, no question. You don't need to fill each cubby now, they look ok empty or sparsely decorated. But as soon as they get into the toy stage you'll be glad you have space. You can also have bins for things like a diaper changing kit (we change on the floor in the FR once the PnP was gone) and use the higher shelves for the many things you will need to get out of his reach in a few months. As long as you have the wall space go for more storage and keep it flexible.