Storage gurus please vote!

[mrsg123]

Would you choose an entry bench with baskets or a hinged lid for shoe storage? Kids are 2 and 5 if that factors in. Thanks!!!

[lilac05]

Is just a shelf not an option? We've been using baskets for toy storage for the last year & they're looking quite beat up already. A big hinged box sounds like lots of digging and dirty shoes getting clean shoes dirty, too.

[mrsg123]

Jan 19, 2015 13:27:00 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Is just a shelf not an option? We've been using baskets for toy storage for the last year & they're looking quite beat up already. A big hinged box sounds like lots of digging and dirty shoes getting clean shoes dirty, too.

A bench with storage will be the best use of space.

[lilac05]

Something like this would be my first choice: www.homedecorators.com/detail.php?sku=0825300970&aid=prcgrb&CA_6C15C=1140130154

But if you want baskets or hinges only, I'd go for sturdy baskets.

[mrsg123]

Jan 19, 2015 13:43:30 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Something like this would be my first choice: www.homedecorators.com/detail.php?sku=0825300970&aid=prcgrb&CA_6C15C=1140130154

But if you want baskets or hinges only, I'd go for sturdy baskets.

That is the general idea, but I don't want to see the shoes, lol.

[holly116]

I think I'd go with baskets so each kid can have their own. We have the ikea shoe storage cabinet thing and each of the older kids have their own row for shoes. So they PUT THEM AWAY THEMSELVES. Which is huge.

[lurknomore]

I would avoid the bench with hinged lid. Once stuff inevitably gets put on top of it, you can't get inside without moving everything off. In my house, that means throwing it all onto the floor to get shoes out. Yes the shoes are hiding, but having coats, scarves, tennis rackets on the floor instead kind of defeats the purpose.

[VillainV]

We have a bench with hinged lid, which I love (it started out life as an English church pew). But the hinged lid is kind of a pain in the butt. It always seems like we have something sitting on the bench (like the diaper bag) when we want to get something out of the stowage compartment. Or one of us is sitting on the bench putting shoes on when the other needs to get something out. I think a bench with basket storage might be more efficient.