Cafe Kids Furniture Stores are still working towards the best toy storage ideas.

The Cafe kids furniture, such as the Simmons set sold a Costco, doesn't really have a storage area that the child can use. This set is intended for the parents to start with an infant, then somehow jumps to the juvenile age when the child can use the cabinet and drawers. That's a little unrealistic. Where would you keep all the toys once the child starts crawling or walking?

Most parents would probably add a toy box or toy chest. These, of course, have the problem I point out elsewhere in this web site, that the child will every day start at the top of the box, chest or pile and toss every single toy out and about in the room. The parents will fight this battle for a while, then usually give up and either endure the mess, or clean it up once at day after the child has gone to sleep.

I guess this is furniture for parents with a lot of time on their hands. I didn't find any functions that consider the needs of busy parents or look at the situation from the child's point of view.

This video shows a prototype of an alternate view of toy storage:

This toy cabinet is based on thinking like a child. Parents toys storage is described in more detail here. This "One at a Time" feature is possibly the first original idea in childrens furniture in years.

Helping your child avoid a mess on the floor helps the parents as well. Anything that helps keep the kids happy and occupied will certainly help the adults around them.

Cafe, cafekids, Simmons and Costco all have attractive designs for your child's room. Someday they may even add features that make the furniture more USEFUL to the children and parents.

When it comes to toy storage here are my five key criteria:

1. Children need only a few, high quality toys available at one time.
2. Children should SEE where the toys are when they go looking for a toy.
3. After playing with each toy, it should have a specific place or "home" where it belongs.
4. Avoid the overwhelming task of picking up a pile of toys at once.
5. A toy should have "value" in exchange for a new toy. Even small kids understand that.

THE TOY CABINETS IN THE VIDEO ARE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET NOW!

You can Purchase a One at a time Toy Cabinet here

After watching this video, how about letting Costco and Cafe Kids Furniture know that better ideas are available.

Has Pottery Barn Kids Furniture come up with any ideas?

link from Cafe Kids Furniture to Kids Furniture Stores.