Cylindrical concrete form tubes double as tall toy storage

There is much inspiration to be found at the home improvement warehouse. Check out Jenn's elegant toy storage solution:

With three small children, I frequently find myself tripping over toys that the kids don't have a place for. We have the Expedit bookcase with Lekman inserts from Ikea and it's ideal for storing small toys or set of toys. The problem I've run into is that there isn't a place to store things like light sabers (I have two boys!) or fold-up childrens' chairs.

I had an epiphany at my local big box hardware store. I saw the concrete forms that you can buy to help you build and set concrete. I bought two of them, covered them with fabric, modpodged them to within an inch of their lives and now I have attractive convenient storage. I could see these being painted and decorated with vinyl decals. Even wallpaper would look great.

Mod Podge is a transparent decoupage glaze you can paint over anything to render it hard and wipeable. I'm thinking Elmer's Glue might work as well, but I'm sure someone else could come up with a better solution. Anyone?

(Here's how the concrete forms looked before Jenn's crafty treatment. They appear to be made out of thick cardboard or fiber.)

Comments

[Mrs. Davis]

That's awesome! We've been using a laundry hamper for light sabers (and other long toys), but these look so much better.

[Tiffany]

I'm headed to said Big Box Hardware store right away to do this. SPECTACULAR!!!

[Amber]

Jenn, that is one amazing, creative solution! But of course I would expect no less from the style diva you are!

[Tim J]

What a great idea! However, I'd stick with the Mod Podge as it's cheap and versatile -- Elmer's can't hold a candle to it.

[mh]

great, great idea!! i may even use this to make a new umbrella stand for me!

do they tend to tip over at all? I wonder if adding some 'plaster of paris' to the bottom would help weight them?

[jojo]

Is it bottomless? And does it fall over if not propped up against something? My boys would topple it over in a heartbeat.

[Jenn]

jojo and mh - they don't tip over all by themselves. My boys do tend to sit in a chair and tip the stands on their sides and use them as footrests while they're watching tv!

mh - I've been thinking of using them to make an umbrella stand but am debating different things to contain the water in the stand and not all over the floor.

[suzette]

Great tip Jenn! I can see them storing wrapping paper too. They wouldn't take up much space in a closet.