Toy Storage the easy way

This week life doesn't suck because I have an easy, frugal and cute solution to solve our toy storage woes.

When you live with little people, your living room looks like-

Here is my frugal, yet stylish, secret to storing the garbage clutter toys.

Start with your average ugly plastic container-

Next, find your trusty hot glue gun-

Pick up some fabric. I have found some lovlies at the thrift store.

Try not to shop with these bargain hunters-

Or, try your local Joann's Fabric. Love me some Joann's!

Simply wrap your ugly plastic tote with your fabric and glue it down.

1- Lay the fabric flat on the floor and put the box in the center.

2- Simply fold the fabric up and over the sides. As you wrap the box, put some glue on to hold it down.

3- Glue your fabric to the inside bottom of the box. Cut off the excess fabric. Yes, it will be messy inside the box, Type A's beware- the toys will cover it. If you need the bottom all neat and tidy, cut out a piece of cardboard that will fit in the bottom of the toy box. Simply cover the cardboard in fabric and it will look tidy!

Here is your finished product-

   

So there ya have it -combine inexpensive plastic totes, your hot glue gun, and some fabric, and the look is custom made supa-cuteness.

I just love it when we can take items we already have and make them look so pretty. And this, my friends, is why today that life doesn't suck.

Sorry again for Mr. Linky's massive fail on my site. Please link your Gratitude/Happiness likage in comments. I will soon relaunch this site in a new format and I promise it will work. 

Love, Fuss

Comments

[Everyday Lotus]

I can vouch, I have seen these in her home! SHE IS THE MASTER.

PS: Alli, is that our silhouettes in that first shot? Hehehehe.

<4 you, tons. :-P

[What About Mom]

I like the clear plastic bins so you can see what's down at the bottom, but they sure don't look as pretty!

Mine's a short ode to sisters this week. Life doesn't suck if you've got a sister.

http://www.whataboutmomblog.com/2008/08/04/like-water-for-chocolate/

[Amiee]

What a great idea! I have always hated the way a "tote" looks in the living room. Just plain tacky! I am going to have to go out fabric hunting, and buy a bunch to match my different rooms I want to use the totes in. Thanks....you're AWESOME =)

[Elizabeth]

You're a genius! That's really all I can say. GENIUS.

[Andrea Yager]

you are a goddess!

finally my house will find some order

[Ker]

You are brilliant!

[Michelle]

I already have these tubs in my house, but not prettified like yours. I need to know whether it's my craft stuff, or my daughter's scrapbooking stuff,

You know that 'cos you promised Mr Linky will work on the new format that it won't, don't you...

[Katie]

Now that is one fab idea! Looks great!

[pgoodness]

I love it!! Just the kind of crafty organizational thing I love!

[Heather @ Not a DIY Life]

Organization is something that I definitely need!!

Here's my link: http://notadiylife.blogspot.com/2008/08/thank-thursday.html

Love ya!

[Megryansmom]

Great idea! Is your personal shopper available? In addition to getting organized I need more time.

[Carrie]

Alli - how much fabric does it take to cover one of those totes?? Great idea!!

[Wonders Never Cease]

Very stylish boxes, Miss Martha Stewart Fussypants!
And I always keep a stray laundry basket around for when people are on the way over and I need to become a cleaning tornado! I just gather all the junk in there and hide it in a closet.
Yey for tricking people into thinking I'm neat! Woo hoo!
Becky

[Pass the Torch (letterboxing)]

I like the pretty baskets. My rubbermaid containers always go topless anyway;) I'm sharing some Letterboxing fun this week!

http://2passthetorch.com/2008/08/04/letterboxing-excursions-wisconsin-and-minnesota/

[Ashley]

That is FABULOUS and oh so clever.

[Midwest Mommy]

Oh my gosh! I have like 15 of those walmart bins in the garage. I am so doing this!

[Colleen - Mommy Always Wins]

LUHVE this idea - I am a tote afficianado - I must do this to the totes you can see in the normally "non-kid" areas.

This week, I'm thankful for my job (no, really, I am!)
http://mommyalwayswins.blogspot.com/2008/08/so-like-im-expert-n-stuff.html

[Marianne]

Absolutely love this idea! Thanks for sharing!

I'm thankful this week for my readers -- you can read about it here:

http://www.writer-mommy.com/2008/08/thankful-formy-readers.html

Smiles to all you FOF!

[Karen]

Those are adorable!!! I should be so crafty, not!

Anyhoo, I'm grateful for my family and that there are only 11 days till school!!

[Mahala]

Hey.. I've got junk. I've got tubs and I've got a nifty hot glue gun. My weekend is now planned!

[Steph]

I LOVE THESE!!!! I was also wondering approx how much fabric per tote?

[Marcy Massura-The Glamorous Life]

The genius of Fussy Continues...

Hey how about a like of "You know you are a MOM if"....come to my NEW place to read it!
http://marcywrites.com/?p=209

[Vic @ Glowstars]

That's a great idea - not sure I'd trust myself with a glue gun (or the rest of the family around one for that matter).

Mine's at http://glowstars.net/wpb/?p=300

[Laurin]

I have that ugly plastic bin, a glue gun I love using, and a bunch of fabric, but not the ability to see a genius idea like this. Thanks!

[Tara]

A little bit of gratitude over on my blog...
http://www.thewell-roundedwoman.com/2008/08/im-thankful-for-buses.html

Love the bin idea - thinking about cute little boy fabrics.

[Jenny,Bloggess]

Holy crap. That is the biggest pomeranian I have ever seen in my entire life.

[Andrea@Cup of Jesus]

Awesome idea! But, um, how did you get into my basement for that pile of stuff photo?

[Peggy]

I've posted a big "Thank You" to those who keep me cool on my blog.

http://pticester.wordpress.com

[Barb Szyszkiewicz, sfo]

Genius AND thrifty!!

You can also use thrift-store sheets if you can't find yardage...or tablecloths.

I plan to use this on the giant boxes under my bed that store shoes. They'll look SO much prettier than the clear plastic. Thanks for the idea!

[Alli {Mrs. Fussypants}]

Ok, here is where I admit I am a huge slacker....

How much fabric? Beats me. LOL!

I eyeball everything.

Bouught tons at a yard sale and found a bin at the Salvation Army.

SCORE! ;)

[JackieW. transplanted Okie (Buried in Legos)]

http://officiallyunofficialpwfans.blogspot.com/2008/08/power-cords-thankful-thursdays.html

Stuff piles up when lounging with wine !

[Anjie]

I may have to try that on my ugly "shoe bin" so I won't feel so bad about having soo many shoes I actually need a "bin" for them!

Many reasons my "Life Doesn't Suck":

http://abehunin.blogspot.com/2008/08/life-doesnt-suck-this-thursday.html

[Lori]

Thankful today @ http://www.frontporchlegacy.com/Front_Porch_Legacy/Home/Entries/2008/8/7_Thankful_Thursday_-_Come_See.html

[Lori]

Oops. I couldn't find the html code for your graphic, but I'm still thankful!

[Amy]

You are an absolute genius!!!! I can't wait to do this.

Thanks!

[Michelle@Life with Three]

That is such a great idea! You're not glueing the fabric to the side of the container, just where it folds over, right? Or does it work better to get as much glue on there as possible?

[Mrs. F]

Wow. I have never seen anyone do that before, but I must say, Missy, that I absolutely adore those bins! You are supah-fab!

[Huse Yo Mama]

I just made my list for the store. This is brilliant, my dear!

[Lisa@BlessedwithGrace]

Mrs. Fussypants, I, always, love your pictures.
I am Thankful for Double Stuffed Oreos.

http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com

[Lori]

Oh my gosh, I loooovvvvveeeee Double Stuffed Oreos! 3 a day get in my belly!

[MaryAnn]

You are something else, Fuss. I cannot wait to hit Goodwill for a lovely sheet and go to town on the enormous tote of cardboard blocks currently residing in our living room.

Today, I am grateful for dolphins - we spent the morning at the beach, and there were about 5 of them putting on a show. Also grateful that I saw the sting ray in the shallows before it saw my foot.

[Laura]

Great idea! I'll link up to my being thankful for breathing today...and you have no idea how much! Visit me!
http://mommymenagerie.blogspot.com/2008/08/breathe-in-breathe-outhappiness.html

[Fifi Flowers]

Thank you for giving me the BEST laugh! HILARIOUS! OMG! Classic photos!

[Valarie Lea]

I am so gonna do this!!! I wonder what we could do to make the tops fit??????? We could cover them also and then we wouldn't have to look at the mess in the bucket thing. :)

[Dorothy Stahlnecker]

This is a great idea....I have bins everywhere and it will give them character...thank you..

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com

[Chris Hebert]

Adorable idea. I can have different fabric for each child's room. Thanks for the illustration & demonstration. Loved the shopping cart with the dog. How DID you do that.... lol

Chris from webdazzling
http://webdazzling.com

[Anissa@Hope4Peyton]

Ok, you are officially smarter and sassier than me. That's a GREAT idea and I'm totally going to do it, photograph it, email it to you and write songs John Meyer-ish to your wisdome. LOVE it!

[karen]

I love this!!!! do you have any other ides besides kids toys? have you done it with smaller tubs? for pictues maybe-- let us know-- very creative. i love your sit to by the way- karen

[Summer]

We have one of those big, plastic tubs for toys too. Though, it's usually used more for sitting in and being pushed around than actual toy storage. I never thought of covering it with fabric before. i wonder if they'll be more tempted to put the toys back in it if it were.

[linneyshvede]

thanks! I'm turning this over to College Girl a.k.a. TV Thief for her super cute apartment. I'm going to have to hide my glue gun first...