Anyone using cubbies for storage?

[irie i]

Although we hope to move soon we don't know for certain that we will find something that is right for us. The nursery does NOT have a closet. I like the idea of using cubbies for storage. That way, we will have something that is easy to move...also, it can always be used later for toy/book storage. Something like:

http://www.target.com/dp/B0002I269S/...3Acubby&page=1

I found that the Koala Baby Crates and Bins at Babies R Us are Buy 1 get 1 half off! KILLER! Only problem is, the stupid Target site doesn't even give the dimensions of the cubbies, so I don't know if the crates/bins will even fit! GRRR!

I saw something similar at Wal Mart...a 9 cubby unit and they recommend some baskets which are also sold there. Trouble with THAT is that the baskets are fugly.

Does anyone use cubbies? My sister doesn't think its a good idea and that we should invest in a chest of drawers...but I just really like the way these look and they are WAY more affordable. I also like that I can paint the entire unit in a coordinating color to our nursery (I HATE white) and not worry about ruining wood or trying to match the wood to our crib (espresso). She also was concerned about the baby grabbing the baskets and dumping them on himself...but isn't it worse for him to smash his fingers or pull down a wood drawer? I realize that there are baby proof things we can use to secure the drawers...but just in case...

Any suggestions/experiences?

THANKS!

[WatchingThemGrow]

Those likely aren't a paintable surface if they are similar to the other modular stuff I've gotten at Target.

[irie i]

Ok...well that's not that big a deal...I can upholster it.

[Tondi G]

You could also look at the Expedit shelves from IKEA. They have White, a natural wood color and a Brown/black

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80071319

Lot of people on the boards have loved these for playrooms and such. There is no reason your couldn't use them for clothing too if you like it! Oh and Bed Bath and Beyond sells the canvas bins that fit in the cubbies as well! Some people liked these baskets with the Expedit shelves too http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90028066

[jerigirl]

Do you have an IKEA near you? We have the Expedit shelves in our study/playroom. We have books and puzzles and toys on the shelves and art supplies in a few bins. We have been very happy with them. There are many bin options as well. I don't think the shelves are paintable but they come in a few colors. There are tons of pictures on Flickr showing what people have done with them. They are pretty versatile, you can have them upright to be tall units or turn them on their side to be wide, lower units to fit what your space allows.

ETA: Tondi you posted while while I was typing!!!!

[irie i]

SWEET! I hadn't seen those at Ikea...I never looked at "Bookshelves" online...but I have seen those in the store (Yes of course we have Ikea in Los Angeles - yay!!). I'm not lovin the baskets at all...and the dang site doesn't have the dimensions of each cubby, either...but those look great!! I will go check them out tomorrow! Tonight, I will check the pics on Flickr and see if anyone is using any baskets I recognize.

THANKS!!!

[jerigirl]

Each square on the Expedit shelves are 13.25 in wide by 13.25 in tall and 15.25 in deep. We have these Kassett bins http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60115480
I don't think they are right for baby clothes etc. but the dimensions are listed here.

I think the fabric collapsable cubes from target fit the expedits as well. Search this board for threads on the expedit shelves. There were a few conversations on them in the past with recs for bins given.

ETA: to correct dimensions

[irie i]

Each square on the Expedit shelves are 13.25 in wide by 13.25 in tall and 15.25 in deep. We have these Kassett bins http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60115480
I don't think they are right for baby clothes etc. but the dimensions are listed here.

I think the fabric collapsable cubes from target fit the expedits as well. Search this board for threads on the expedit shelves. There were a few conversations on them in the past with recs for bins given.

ETA: to correct dimensions

You are awesome!! THANKS! I guess I'm a bin bitch because I don't like these either. But knowing they are that large I know the ones at Babies R Us fit.

[jerigirl]

One other idea:
Have you checked out the Trofast system at IKEA. That system uses plastic tubs or wooden shelf inserts. We have one of the tall units and two of the shorter units next to each other on one wall of DS's room.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99819558
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19819557
We have various sizes of the tubs and a few of the shelf inserts. We put blocks in the big tubs (makes it easy to bring the bin to the room he wants to play in) and books on the shelves. I could see using the shallow bins for clothes. Might be something to look at while you are at IKEA next.

[irie i]

Now those I did see...I like the expedits much better! Thank you!!