Toy Storage

[DoxysTurtle]

So I had a conversation with Nil in chat earlier today about things for toy storage. I was wondering what others do? And if you have kids home how you handle that, with hiding / locking them up? I'm curious about others solutions.

My Solution:
I have a blanket chest I modified to have a locking false bottom (with hidden lock). I'm going to post plans for it to the thread later today and how to build one. If anyone is interested or has questions about it feel free to ask....

Other Idea: I've always had an idea about modifying a wardrobe for storing toys. You would only need to steal a couple inches at the back, and then for toys that are better being hung, you'd have somewhere. I'm going to detail it, but I've never built one, so your mileage may vary.
1) Have a wardrobe where it's deep enough to steal an inch or two off the back
2) You are going to build a 2x4 frame at the back. Attached to this frame on the inside will be some 1x1s inset 1". Attach a sheet of pegboard to this. We now have a completely useful spot to hang things.
3) Now we need to build a false front. There's many options. You can get the same colored rear paneling and simply velcro it to the 2x4s. You can put two pieces and hinge them on the backside to split on the middle. Or other ways.
4) Now the clothes bar will be in the way every time. So we need to fix that. Two options. Easy easy way is to make it a lift out bar. Now where to put it? Attach a hanger for it to the wardrobe door/s or somewhere on a wall is the easiest solution. The other involves a mechanism to allow it to slide / hinge out of the way, which I'm not detailing at them moment.

[janmb]

If you need to hide the fact that you have sex toys from your kids, your ideas sound spot on.

For me, a lockable bed table drawer suffices, since I can deal with the inevitable questions you will get as to why you have a locked drawer and what is in it.

[Evals]

I've got a locked toolbox, one of those cheap ones with lots of storage compartments you can get for ten bucks. Nobody has ever asked about it, surprisingly...

[DoxysTurtle]

Blanket Chest with Secret Toy Storage

The basic idea here, is to walk you through creating a toy chest that is hidden, but convenient. To that end we're going to use a blanket chest. They are convenient, big, and available in every possible style. Plus you can have it at the foot of the bed and no one will ever be the wiser. We'll add a false bottom then one of three types of locks. We can do a traditional keyed, with hidden key hole, so that no one will no it's keyed, a push button lock hidden under the front lip near the floor of the chest or a secret mechanism to remove the false bottom and get to the good stuff. This will give you a lot of storage, with many chests at least a foot wide, two feet tall, and five feet long (if for a Queen Size Bed). So if we assume half is left for blanket storage, though it can be done for smaller, even only 4 inches tall, then hide Jewelry trays in there) we expect to have 5 cubic feet of storage and can store anything under 5 feet long, so crops, canes and spreader bars should fit. The other key to this idea is to build/buy some cedar trays for the top of the false bottom. Makes it easy to get stuff out of the way, and cedar is traditional for this, because of moths, etc for storing this stuff.

Selecting a Blanket Chest
Most of this comes down to personal choice. I chose mine when I got a new bedroom set and wanted a matching one. My recommendations are as follows:
1) Get something that makes sense for the room. If it doesn't match the decore it will stick out like a sore thumb and not be any better than other options
2) Buy something that's decent quality. It's easier to hide what we need to modify, and less likely to not be square (which can make the alterations stick out like a sore thumb)
Okay now we need to choose a locking mechanism and have a few options.
1) Traditional Double Keyed Deadbolt. The plywood sheet with this in it, will be covered by a sheet of cedar (common bottom of blanket chests) and will have a secret to removing it.
2) A T-Handle lock. These we would put on the bottom and would be keyed. They would stop the false bottom from lifting off, so the Cedar planks would be the lid to the false bottom.
3) Filing Cabinet Style Lock. Not as strong. Instead of hiding like a dead bolt, we would simply sink them into the plywood, then not attach the cedar planks over the section so we can simply lift it off and insert the key.
4) Push Button lock. These are done like the T-Handle ones) except instead of a key, you push them in and they release.
5) Don't need a lock, just good hiding place for things? Then don't bother with ones
Some other materials needed:
#2x4s (Amount varies with size of chest)
#Cedar Planks (Amount varies)
#Shock Spring (Thing Screen Door closer in reverse, unlock and lid pops open) This is very optional, as you may prefer a lift out false bottom.
Tools Needed:
#Power Drill
#Drill Bits
#Hole Saw
#Miter Saw or Table Saw (Hand saw in a pinch, preferably with miter box)
#Hammer (Finishing Nailer makes life fast and easy)
#Nails

I will edit this post later with better supply needs listed and the assembly instructions which Nil requested.

[Nezhul]

I'd use a simple locking drawer. I don't think I'll need to hide from the kids the fact that I'm hiding something from them and keep some things private from them.

[jackhud]

Dependent on their design, sometimes there is a void in the casework (of wardrobes or bedside tables) at the back of the drawers that can be used for surreptitious storage. Simply remove the drawer, stash item(s) replace drawer. Provides discrete convenient storage that avoids potentially tricky questions about locked drawers. LOL, it works for me!

[Mistress_EH]

I've never really needed to keep my toys stored away from prying eyes, but my best suggestion would definitely be a locking box of some kind.