toy room simplification [aka...termination]

photo c/o pinterest (before that, couldn't find)

I struggle daily with the way my house looks. I always say it's a mess, but by no means is it dirty. Yes, the many, many phrases I read on Pinterest and previously on Facebook eased my pain a little. But this is something I struggle with d.a.i.l.y! I also feel like I come up with a new idea daily as to what can go, how I can change something, how I can make this or that room better. Mostly, it means something has to go. Last week, Dave burned a couch for me. He sure knows the way to my heart! This week, I've become ill at the sight of the toy room. Rather than clean it for about the millionth time, I'm saying good-bye. Possibly forever. My plan is to sort and clean and go through every piece of garbage whatever is in that room. Next goal after that, convince grandmas and auntieeeees the children don't need toys. EVER. AGAIN.

Now... the idea(s). The toy room is currently the only bedroom on the main level of the house. Because Peyton is growing up (I know, who woulda thought it!), I thought he'd like his room away from everyone else. This poses a couple risks: 1) His messy room upstairs will now be moved to the main floor... for all to see. 2) His tendencies to stay up past bedtime will only be intensified. 3) Removal of his thumbs because I caught him playing Xbox past midnight more than once.

Because this project is only in the beginning stages, all you get is a before photo and some of my ideas. For now. I fully intend to finish this. And by golly, this pregnant woman *will* get her way. (okay, who am I kidding... I get my way about 97% of the time... I love you Dave!) ;)

before

First, gut this room. Second, move Peyton's belongings... downsizing as we go... to this room. Third, or maybe second if I can get my dad to do a project, create new storage for a very tiny portion of toys we keep. Everything else will be donated. No worries. I'm not going to just trash everything. I'm not that mean.

I have a slight obsession with storage and organization and office products so this not-so-small project really makes me excited. Dave? Not so excited. "Whatever wife." His response to almost anything I ask his input for. He's not picky. He just wants me to be happy. Sooo... I'm doing it ;)

Here are a few ideas of small but necessary storage furniture pieces I have in mind. One of these will find a new home in the living room, and hopefully stay cleaner than the toy room ever did.

Also note, my dad is amazing with building just about anything so I'm going to sweet talk him in to making me something like one of these or a combination of all of them... somehow ;)

I may be in love with everything about this!

storagepalooza via land of nod

bulk bins via pottery barn kids

And these are a few ideas I am really liking off Pinterest:

even add a couple covers to these and they'd be just as adorable!

this within Nash's reach... love!

sorry this photo (below) got a little blurry, but now I may need to go antiquing or to an estate sale and find me some sort of vintage looking storage containers! even better, maybe I'll snoop in the shed out back and see if they're hiding some goodies on me ;)

last one!

wooden peach crates via etsy

I wrote most of this post last night. Scratch everything I said about Peyton getting his room moved... I made the executive decision in a moment of fury (I know, best time to make decisions...not): Peyton is not ready for his own room away from the rest of the bedrooms. Apparently, he has a hard time sleeping alone. So the toy room will be an empty room (empty when I clean it) for a bit until I decide if it should be a room for the homeschooling I'm not doing with Nash or just storage or a spare room. I'm still pondering this. A storage room is not ideal. I know what would happen, it would turn into another room of crap.

Excuse 'our living space.' I have absolutely no sense of interior design/decorating, and this is as far as our room has come in the almost 3 years we've lived here. I know some of you would go wild in my entire house :)

and now to begin this project!!!

(all help is welcomed) ;)