I need space for the toys!! :(

[Loulovesshopping]

I am sick and tired of my 2 DC's toys being all over the living room, but there isnt enough room in my house for all of them!
Me and my DH have been discussing getting a conservatory, but is it really a safe environment for my kids to play in and will I get that much extra room?
Advice anyone?

[narniesarnie]

Jumble sale, freecycle, ebay the toys or:

Rotate them, get a big box and put 80% of them in the loft and only have a certain number out at any given time. Then change the ones they have out once a week, let the kids choose which ones they have each week.

At least this way they will appreciate playing with them. And you don't have to trip over them. (I swear my DD didn't even remember she had most of her toys!)

[mollymax]

We had a conservatory built last year. I love it.
We have all the toys in there plus the wii and dvd.
It is a bit chilly in the winter, but not horrendous.
It has made our sitting room look so much neater and more of a grown up room.
The children do bring toys in but they go bavk at the end of the day.

[Tikkabillajive]

I have a v small house and 2 DCs too and I can recommend the Trofast toy storage from Ikea. Changed. My. Life.

[narniesarnie]

oh yeah, ditto the trofast!

[Carrotsandcelery]

I would agree good storage is a huge help. We also rotate from the loft. It is particularly handy when the dcs have kids over as they can't pull loads out at once and get it all muddled.
We have a sunlounge at the back of our house. Our lounge is now a child free zone apart from particular occasions. eg to read quietly.
The sunlounge has a tiled roof so doesn't get so cold in winter. It is open plan to our dining room and kitchen and we mostly live in that space. If you can fund it I would heartily recommend taking it that extra step.

[Loulovesshopping]

mollymax, who installed your conservatory? me and my DH are looking around on the internet, but are not sure whose the best company to use? any further help please? :)

Storage is something i'll get in the city tomorrow, maybe a new LBD too us girls deserve a treat every now and then!

Can you use Ikea vouchers online? If so, Trofast will be on the way :)

[mollymax]

We used a company called extend a room. They are on the internet. Try and google them. It is a steelbased one, so has no foundations as such, to be honest it is not going to last for ever, but was very reasonably priced.
We would not have been able to afford a " proper" conservatory, but i really wanted an extra room.

[NoseyNooNoo]

Another vote for Trofast here...

[isitmidnightalready]

Agree with getting rid of the toys. IMO kids play better with less toys, and it makes us adults a lot less cross. They learn to amuse themselves and be imaginative. Must look up the Trofast now I have climbed down from my pedestal and stood on a bit of lego in the process- ouch. ( grin emoticon, but I can't make it work.....)

[isitmidnightalready]

I alos find in the mean time that having a big box to lob the toys in at the end of the day is very satisfying - lots of noise and a clean room at the end.

[isitmidnightalready]

I also find in the mean time that having a big box to lob the toys in at the end of the day is very satisfying - lots of noise and a clean room at the end.

[Loulovesshopping]

I am hoping my Trofast will arrive in the post soon!! EXCITED!

In the long term though we are thinking more room will be better, so i will definitely have a look at that company thanks Mollymax :)

Has anyone tried anyone other companies for a conservatory, that they would really recommend?

[pigleychez]

We had a conservatory on our old house. DD1 could only play in it in the summer or it was freeeezzzing! (without bankrupting us on heating out there)

Totally agree on the Tofast units. We have one wall of our dining room covered in the units. The toys are neatly put away and organised into drawers. ie, Animals in one, Instruments another.

My old neighbours used that company too. That was about 4 yrs ago and they are still happy with it and looks good.