Help with a storage solution for DDs room

[MamaSnoo]

DD is 3. The puzzles, games, art sets, books, playfood kits, etc are getting to be too much. We need a new solution. There is space in her room for a storage unit, preferrably something with some open shelving and also some closed drawers or doors. Her furniture is Stanley YA Ma Marie in black with a light cherry top on dressers. I think an Expedit would fit, but I think the look is too modern with her other things.

I also liked this from Stanley (http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Stanley-Young-America-Mix-and-Match-Large-Console__STMXMAWAL8190.aspx)alot, but I do not want to pay $1400 (even with free shipping).

Her closets are small (old house) and do not have good storage for stuff such that she would be able to get to it. I do want her to be able to get out her own things (and put them back :wink2:)

Any suggestions? Budget, ideally less than $500. Definitely need a black finish.

[echoesofspring]

I like that console a lot!

I know you mentioned your closets are small, but have you tried the container store at all? You can give them dimensions and tell them what you're storing and they will come up with a design, all the parts, etc. They did wonders with a small linen closet we had, I think the shelving was about $200. It's their elfa system - the only other thing I'd mention is to wait for one of their sales, once or twice a year, they do a 20-30% sale of elfa.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Why not the YA Ma Marie bookcase (http://www.youngamerica.com/product/343691/5790013N6/_/ma%26%23160%3Bmarie%3Cbr%3Ebookcase/Collection/ma_marie)? We have the All Seasons white one for each DC's room. DD also has the wardrobe (http://www.youngamerica.com/product/343695/825001511/_/all%26%23160%3Bseasons%3Cbr%3Ewardrobe/Collection/all_seasons) that goes with hers as we were thinking a girl will have more "stuff" to store than a boy.

Seems like she'll always have a need for a bookcase, and that matches her other furniture so it will look great. We also use the nightstand for toy/stuff storage.
eta: maybe look for a place that would have it at a discount? I know furniturelandsouth in NC has given us a good discount off retail prices.

[MamaSnoo]

Why not the YA Ma Marie bookcase (http://www.youngamerica.com/product/343691/5790013N6/_/ma%26%23160%3Bmarie%3Cbr%3Ebookcase/Collection/ma_marie)? We have the All Seasons white one for each DC's room. DD also has the wardrobe (http://www.youngamerica.com/product/343695/825001511/_/all%26%23160%3Bseasons%3Cbr%3Ewardrobe/Collection/all_seasons) that goes with hers as we were thinking a girl will have more "stuff" to store than a boy.

Seems like she'll always have a need for a bookcase, and that matches her other furniture so it will look great. We also use the nightstand for toy/stuff storage.
eta: maybe look for a place that would have it at a discount? I know furniturelandsouth in NC has given us a good discount off retail prices.

Good point about the night stand. Hers is sitting empty right now :bag. I had looked at that bookcase (I think it retails between $800-900/could call furniturelandsouth). I was hoping to economize a little, and I preferred something that would have more space that she can actually reach. The Ma Marie one seemed tall and narrow to me. I am not sure it is enough space, either. I think 2 would look funny with the curved legs.

I looked at this from LON. 2 of them would work pretty well from us, and not be too expensive, but it does not come in black. I ordered some swatches to see if the wood finishes would match the tops of her Ma Marie.

Thanks for the suggestions about closets as well. That is something I should do for the master BR, but her closets are really more like little linen closets. she actually has 2 of them on opposite sides of the room. It is a funky-old house set up. And, I would like to have her things mostly out for her to access, but organized, IYKWIM.

[MamaSnoo]

Why not the YA Ma Marie bookcase (http://www.youngamerica.com/product/343691/5790013N6/_/ma%26%23160%3Bmarie%3Cbr%3Ebookcase/Collection/ma_marie)? We have the All Seasons white one for each DC's room. DD also has the wardrobe (http://www.youngamerica.com/product/343695/825001511/_/all%26%23160%3Bseasons%3Cbr%3Ewardrobe/Collection/all_seasons) that goes with hers as we were thinking a girl will have more "stuff" to store than a boy.

Seems like she'll always have a need for a bookcase, and that matches her other furniture so it will look great. We also use the nightstand for toy/stuff storage.
eta: maybe look for a place that would have it at a discount? I know furniturelandsouth in NC has given us a good discount off retail prices.

FLS always a good idea....I did price the Ma Marie and the other console from Stanley....$460 delivered on the bookcase and $875 on the console.

I need to measure and think about what makes the most sense for our use....but I might be able to get some nice YA after all!! Have to talk to DH..........

:bighand:

[WatchingThemGrow]

totally get the bookcase, then! The lower shelf is adjustable. You can also add stuff under her bed if you have a bedskirt or get storage boxes that look nice. We use those canvas bins on the bookcase to hold baby doll trappings. Another idea is getting a small expedit to stick on the floor of the closet if you're not ready to put better shelves in. We have the Closetmaid shelf-track system and we just made a bunch of more narrow shelves for those M&D sets with no lids. (What are they thinking doing that????)

[MamaSnoo]

totally get the bookcase, then! The lower shelf is adjustable. You can also add stuff under her bed if you have a bedskirt or get storage boxes that look nice. We use those canvas bins on the bookcase to hold baby doll trappings. Another idea is getting a small expedit to stick on the floor of the closet if you're not ready to put better shelves in. We have the Closetmaid shelf-track system and we just made a bunch of more narrow shelves for those M&D sets with no lids. (What are they thinking doing that????)

Oh, yeah....you and I are on the same page there. I bet we have the same sets. :52: M&D is at least 60% of my problem right now.