The IKEA TROFAST Hack That Makes Your Kids' Clutter Magically Disappear

Anyone with small children knows the struggle of trying to corral their abundance of toys. There are many simple toy storage ideas that will help you keep your playroom tidy, but what about those who don't have dedicated playrooms? If you're wondering how to declutter kids' toys and keep things tidy in any room once playtime ends, a DIY from @do.it.yourself.mum on Instagram may be what you're looking for. Using MDF board, paint, and magnetic catches, you can turn toy storage into grownup-approved furniture that elevates any room.

The project starts with IKEA's TROFAST Storage Combination – a featured item amongst IKEA hacks to add clever storage to any kid's room. The system works well on its own because of its modular design, with bins that slide in and out. The bins also come in multiple colors, including white, gray, pink, red, and turquoise. Less ideal, however, is that it leaves toy bins visible. In a playroom, this may be acceptable, but the obvious toy storage may be an eyesore in other areas. This hack transforms your TROFAST by adding front covers, making toys undetectable when playtime is no longer in session.

The first step is to sand and paint the unit a new color. While this step isn't essential to hiding toys, it does elevate the look of the TROFAST. If you do paint, be sure to use our favorite trick to painting IKEA furniture's difficult surfaces – a shellac-based paint primer. The combination of sanding and shellac primer ensures your paint job will stand the test of play times to come.

This next step is also optional, but like painting, it will offer a more premium look and feel to your toy storage. — add countertops above the staggered tops. Start by cutting plywood to size, so that it overhangs the front edge of each section of your TROFAST frame. If you don't have the equipment to cut wood yourself at home, you can have it done at a Home Depot or Lowes near you. Once you have the pieces, fix them to the top surfaces of the unit with construction adhesive like Liquid Nails. Give them a sanding to make sure they're smooth and stain them with a color of your choice.

Finally, it's time to create and add the front covers to your TROFAST. Start by having MDF board cut to the same size as each of your TROFAST frame openings. To create a classic molding look like @do.it.yourself.mum, use split wood dowel rods and adhesive. Then, finish the doors with the same color paint that you used for the rest of the unit. Once dry, add magnetic catches, like the Jiyabi Magnetic Cabinet Catches, to the top and bottom of each cover and opening. Then add a handle to the top of each cover, like these LEAPHZOT Cabinet Pulls, to make them easier to remove and replace. At last, you'll have your home back from uncontrollable toy clutter — and your guests will be none the wiser!