Toy Garage

A toy garage isn't just for cars but for just about any toy that is collected. Its sole purpose is to hold and display your toy collection(s). When your collection begins to get too much for your family room shelves to hold, it's time for you to invest in a more proper form of storage.
 
A collection can be several special pieces up to hundreds of pieces. Eventually, the collector must decide whether to expand the area in which the collection is displayed or to reduce the collection. A toy garage is the logical choice and they can be either single or multi-level units.
 
Obtaining help
 
Toy garage plans are available on the Internet. Plans can be obtained from other collectors who have found a successful plan themselves or from others who have needed storage and designed various plans to work for any number of collectors. The best way to find quality plans is by searching for threads in toy-related forums that refer to toy garages.
 
Some designs will be offered for free and others for a fee. Sometimes if you have access to a plan, look it over carefully to determine that it is complete. You don't want to get started and realize that you are missing an important piece of information. If the plan you have found is incomplete, contact the designer as it could be there is a fee to obtain the rest of the design information that you need.
 
If you are unable to find a plan that suits your collection needs, you are in luck as there are people who will create a design for you. You can find these people locally or online. They will probably charge a fee depending upon how detailed and much they must do. Although a good designer will know which questions to ask of you, you should have an inkling of what you want and/or need in a toy garage.
 
Building versus buying
 
You may be handy with woodworking tools but don't have the time or you need the toy garage sooner than what the time frame you could build one in; you may want to buy one. There are some available on the market from maker's such as Fisher-Price but you are limited to their design and space availability.
 
If you do buy a pre-built garage, you can use the manufacturer's suggestion as to how to organize your collection or you can create your own design. Regardless, the structure will just enhance your collection. If you need more room, be prepared to buy more than one garage and to make things uniform, each garage should be identical otherwise it could take away from your collection.
 
The material a garage is constructed from can be metal, plastic or wood. Plastic is typically very rigid and will last forever, wood can be engraved, stained and made of a number of different types of wood to coordinate with other items you already have in your home; wood can also be made to look antiqued. Metal can be flimsy or sturdy depending upon the construction.
 
Of course, you could always build one. When choosing the plan or designing your own, include the kind and number of toys it will need to hold. Also, where the garage will be placed and how much room you have; how many levels it will need to be and what is your budget?
 
A collection should be properly displayed and any collector who cares about their toys knows this. Considering your needs and other factors, you will can build or buy a toy garage that will hold your entire toy collection.