This Genius IKEA Hack Makes Toy Storage Fun — And Might Actually Help Kids Stay Organized

If you've tried to motivate your children to keep their playroom clean in the past, you probably have learned that it's a losing battle. Try though you may, it can be difficult to instill in kids the desire for a clean, orderly, and visually pleasing play space. Having fun, however, is a language that your little ones likely speak fluently. Why not, then, try a relatively simple idea that will help keep your playroom tidy while ensuring your kids have fun? Hint: it involves an IKEA fan-favorite and an indoor slide.

The hack involves combining a couple of IKEA TROFAST storage solutions with an indoor wavy slide. This unconventional pairing creates an indoor climbing, sliding, and toy storage combo, ideal for spacious playrooms. While you can get the necessary TROFAST components at any local IKEA, the slide featured is from a brand, Jollyroom, which is available only in European countries. As such, you'll have to hunt down a compatible replacement slide, checking sites like Wayfair or Amazon. 

For perfect execution, be sure to measure the distance from the top of the TROFAST down to the floor, the length the slide will span. You'll also need to research the correct hardware to securely connect the two, such as wood screws. In addition, be prepared to drill into the top of the TROFAST to secure your chosen slide to the wood.

While this hack is fun enough on its own, there are a number of ways to personalize it for your own space (which may make it more fun for you, the adult in the situation). Firstly, you can play around with the TROFAST's configuration. The video inspiring the hack utilizes two of the tiered TROFAST frames ($139.99) to create the necessary steps and angle to accommodate climbing up and sliding down. If you find your playroom requires more storage, you could use the newer TROFAST model ($149.99) as the center portion of the storage; this will give you substantially more room for storage bins. If you have younger children who might struggle with the height of the hack as shown in the video, you can choose to place the top of the slide on the second-tallest cubby instead of the tallest one.

Visually speaking, you can make your TROFAST work in any room with a number of creative DIY upcycles. Choose a natural pine version of the piece and then stain it for a rich and timeless appeal, or paint it in a color (or colors) that speaks to your children. For an even more intriguing end product, employ the use of stencils to give the TROFAST a one-of-a-kind look. The sky is the limit in terms of how to make it integrated into your home's decor.

Turning a TROFAST storage combination into a climbing and sliding contraption is a truly novel idea, but it's not without its safety concerns. Anytime children are climbing on furniture, you need to ensure that the structure is strong and sturdy enough to withstand the toll they'll take on it. This means positioning it next to the wall and anchoring the TROFAST to the wall properly to prevent any accidental tip-overs, which could be dangerous. 

Additionally, it's imperative to guarantee that the TROFAST itself isn't wiggly or wobbly, so fully tightening the hardware when assembling the structure should take top priority. Positioning the TROFAST on stable ground is also super important for the stability of the entire unit.

Make sure that wherever you situate the TROFAST and slide setup, there is enough space for children to utilize it without sliding into a wall — it's also wise to position something soft at the bottom of the slide as a buffer for dismounting. Non-slip pads underneath the slide and TROFAST will also keep things from moving around. Of course, remind your children to use the step portion of the TROFAST to climb up and the slide to come down, especially when multiple children are playing at once. With a little effort, this IKEA TROFAST hack is perfect for families with kids.