There is not that much that sends my heart aflutter as when I get to pick up storage containers from Target. Anyone else?! Just me? That’s fine.
When we redid our garage during the pandemic, nothing made me more excited as getting everything off of the floor and having shelves to put everything on. We maximized all the space with all the plastic storage containers and chalkboard labels that a person could want. The amount of excitement I have being able to walk in there and see everything organized and not having to climb over anything to get to something is a blog for another day. Unpacking our Christmas boxes was a dream.
THESE storage containers from Target are my favorite. In the cubicles that you buy at either Ikea or Target, two can be stacked and it will maximize the space.
Whenever Target has the storage containers available for purchase, I buy two to four at a time. These (at least where we are), are insanely popular so when they have them, I grab them. My second favorite storage containers are THESE, they are compact enough that you can fit a lot in them, they can go under the bed and they are very durable. I also buy these storage containers in multiple as they also tend to be a fan favorite. Our Target only ever seems to have one or two in stock. Again, it might be dependent on location, but since they cannot be shipped to me, I take no chances. Target also has a tendency to update storage containers and make them no longer available so that you are forced to order new versions of them which are not always the same size and since the ones above can be stacked (with the purple latch) I am overly prepared for the day that they are no longer being sold (you can see two empties and as we speak I have four more for drive-up).
Fast forward to the debacle that was EV’s shoes. EV is a shoe hoarder (I will just blame it on her). There are a couple of shoes that she loves and wears all the time, so thus she has them in multiple colors and sizes (here is looking at you Cat & Jack ballet flats). Problem is that I was using the shelf that was in her closet, but because she is petite and can only reach so far, I didn’t use the entire shelf. The shelf had the shoes that she wears the most and then I had a cute rapunzel box on the floor of the closet that had dress up shoes and then one of the wire baskets from Bullseye that I used for all the ballet flats. As you can assume, a lot of these shoes went unused since they were all over the place. The bigger problem is that I wanted EV to access them, but I did not have the space nor did I want them in one of the storage cubes because she would never see everything and would just end up taking from the top and that’s it. As much of a basket lover that I am, I also didn’t a bunch of little baskets just scattered around and giving her no space to just sit and play or read.
THIS wire basket from Target is my favorite as it houses all of her dolls and the wooden lid is perfect for her to set things on or use for play or as a tabletop. It is light enough for her to take off too, so I do not have to worry about her hurting herself or it. When I purchased it, they were $35 (they are now $40) and it is a 100% worth it even with the irritating increase. So much so, that the Commodore has one too.
However, I was not about to purchase a second one just for shoes as it would encroach on her reading/dressup nook and I just thought it would look ridiculous (at least in her space).
The couch in EV’s room which I love is actually a pull-out sofa was originally purchased for Commodores room when my MIL would come and stay with us. I am telling you, I am all about maximizing space and yes, this couch is definitely large for the room, but EV loves curling up on it with a book, playing, or for storytime with us. There is minimal space underneath the couch, but I loved the idea of under the bed storage to create more space in the room and I thought it would be perfect for the shoes as EV would be able to access them and we would be able to see everything she had. The second problem being that there is very little under the couch space…like less than 5 inches worth.
I scoured the Target website and EVERY under the storage bed container was around 5 1/2 inches and I needed no more than 5 and even that was pushing it. Once I exhausted my options on Target, I went to good ol’ Amazon and found THESE. First things first, I love buying storage containers (as mentioned above) and literally get giddy when we get to drive up and pick them up as I am an instant gratification kind of girl, but man oh man, did I lose it when these were delivered same day. Thank you oodles Amazon drivers…you are this mama’s MVP.
It is taking everything in my power not to replace the plastice ones in our bedroom with these…that is how much I love them.
I love that they are cloth and that the color which is kind of a tweed gray went with the room’s aesthetic and that they have handles which makes them not only look like drawers and part of the sofa, but makes it really easy for EV to pull them out. I did have her test doing this as it was important. Originally, I thought with them being cloth that it was kind of a heavy pricetag at two for $32 (I know, what was I thinking). Mainly, because I thought I would only need one, but the quality is amazing and it ended up that I needed two. One for current sizes and one for the size up (don’t judge me).
I also loved that there was a clear top so that EV could see everything. Lets be honest, it was a win for Mama as well.
It ended up being a perfect fit and they just slide underneath as they are 4.9 inches. Literally, I breathed a sigh of relief after I did have to do the slightest of wiggle maneuvers. Fun fact, I didn’t account for the rug in her room when I measured (I measured tile to the bottom of the sofa and never measured where the rug was) and I do have to say that if these were not cloth and giving me a little extra give, I would probably be sending them back, but all the praise hands they were just what I was looking for.
I highly suggest that if you are in the market for under the bed storage containers and do not like the look of plastic, these would definitely be a great alternative. Especially if you may have a lower bed, or you need the extra storage in your toddlers room, but do not have the space for anything too big. I would think these would also fit great in a closet and could even be stacked for places where you actually have seasons and change out your kids wardrobe.
