design comments, material comments

Design: Primarily toy storage, huh? How old are the kids? For little kids, “junk drawer” and “toy chest” size compartments are good; so I’d have only one (maybe two) shelves in the cabinet compartments. But kids grow quick. At about middle school, board games and electronic games take precedence. Then, I’d want the three shelves in the compartments, and much smaller drawers (these are too wide and too deep to ever find teenage stuff in).

Also, I’d suggest a closed platform base instead of legs. Nobody’s gonna clean under there; it’ll just become a hiding place for lost small toy parts.

Materials: Cabinet ply is a little expensive for toy storage. If the kids actually use it, you’d probably prefer a painted piece. However, I don’t worry about warping with plywood. And, me, I don’t like MDF (but it paints nice).

Now, you understand that if you build it as a monolithic piece, it probably ain’t never leaving that basement, right?

-- Jim Maher, Illinois

It’s definately half storage and half entertainment center. I want it to look good but be functional. There is a toy trunk in the room also but nOthing along the large wall under tv. I want a wood finish not paint hence the veneer. I was thinking ply for strength over mdf but warp on an 7.5 foot top span worried me with ply. I haven’t made the cut list yet but I suspect 2 full sheets will be required. I could split it if I wanted between Ply and mdf.