Board Game Storage

We knew that when we moved into our home, we would have to get a little creative with organization.  Having 8 people share a 1577sq/ft home can get a little tight. One of the areas that needed a little help was with our endless collection of board games.  Board games can take up a LOT of space.  We used to shelve our games on 3 bookshelves in our sunroom out of sight from visitors.  Our new home is pretty open with very few walls, so unless I wanted everyone to see the messy disarray of games, I needed a new idea.  I had seen the dollar store basket organization ideas float around the internet and so my new "game closet" idea began. 

We have a coat closet in the hallway (I live in south TX... who needs a coat closet). I decided this was going to be the place. I removed the rod and placed a cheap plastic shelf inside. It was the perfect fit.  I then scoured our dollar stores for the cute turquoise baskets everyone was finding.  I really had to look high and low.  After searching several stores, I finally purchased 10 green ones (since I think everyone else looks on Pinterest and took the turquoise ones) for this project.  Then the real work began.  I literally took apart EVERY single game.  I placed all the pieces and instructions into gallon zip lock bags.  Most of the games fit perfectly... for some, even the boards fit.  For those games in which the instructions were on the box itself, I cut the box up. Next I placed the games into the baskets.  The kiddie games were placed near the bottom for easy access and the kids-may-not-touch-without-permission-games strategically positioned at the very top. 

I labeled each of the baskets and then made a master list of where each game is located.  (the B indicates a board goes with the game)

All of the large boards are on the shelf next to the baskets. 

We've been using this system for over a year now and it has worked pretty well.  I've had to clean out the closet maybe twice due to a 3 year old deciding to play more than one game at a time, but I've been pretty happy with this system. And what's great is, whenever we add a new game to our collection, I just write it in..... and when I get to it, I'll print out a new list. I just love when an idea works!

Bedroom in the Living Room?

Ok, for my current scatter-brained idea I've been contemplating moving our master bedroom to the living room.  Say What?!  

We bought our home 1.5 years ago.  It's a 1500 sqft, 3/2 home on 16 acres.  Our thought process was that we could always build on.  Well, our thoughts have changed a bit.  Our priority right now is becoming debt free via Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps.  We paid off baby #6 and are ready to start this process.... so, that means a little bit of a sacrifice until we can pay for any renovations with cash. 

Right now we have one bedroom for the girls (13, 6, 3), one bedroom for the boys (11, 9), and the baby, mom and dad share a room.  Oh, and my oldest has turned the laundry room into her "hang out closet."  My kids hardly ever "play" in their rooms.  They do spend a lot of time outdoors, but they don't play because it's too small in the girls room and in the boys room there are Lego's EVERYWHERE!.  I made them a Lego table and have storage bins, but still... EVERYWHERE.  I am ready to get the baby out of our room. (I've co-shared a bed for 13 years and I think I'm ready for a little space).  So that being said, we can't put the baby in a room with Lego's EVERYWHERE! 

My husband's dream since we've been married has been to have our bedroom in the living room (don't ask why, I have no clue). So, I'm thinking of taking all toys out of bedrooms, and turning our master into a play room.  Yes, the Lego's will be in there along with the baby toys, but I'm certain that the boys will pick up or the consequence will be little kids playing with "their" toys.  That's a huge consequence in their minds. That leaves us with moving the bed into the living room (I've already moved the living room into the dining room.) I just have to figure out where to put all the "craft" stuff.  Hmmm..... once I decide, I feel like it's a huge decision.  I'm not sure I'll be willing to move everything back any time soon.... so to move or not to move.  

We've already turned our pantry into the school closet.