Lids on toy boxes, laundry hampers, and blanket chests have one job when they're open: stay open. A lid that drops on its own will pinch fingers, and on a toy box that's the last thing you want. My favorite fix for any top-loading piece is the RUYUFE 105° soft-close lid stay.
Why a Lid Needs a Stay
Hinges let a lid swing. They don't hold it up. Without a support, a heavy lid either falls back against the wall or comes slamming shut the second someone lets go. A good lid stay holds the lid where you open it and lets it come down slowly when you close it. On my toy boxes, the lid swings on a long piano-style hinge (like these 18" stainless steel piano hinges), and the lid stay does the holding.
What I Like About It
- It holds the lid open at 105°. The lid opens a little past straight up and stays there. You can reach in with both hands and not worry about it coming down on you.
- It's tough. I've used these to hold up tops as big as 4 ft x 14". For a lid stay, that's a big top.
- Soft close. The listing calls it a soft-close lid support, so the lid lowers instead of dropping. That matters most on anything kids open.
The Catch: Figuring It Out
I'll be honest: this thing is NOT easy to figure out the first time. That's why it has so many bad reviews. But once you do figure it out, it's cake.
Where I Use It
Anything that opens from the top:
- Toy boxes
- Laundry hampers
- Blanket chests and storage benches
- Other top-loading pieces with a hinged lid
Safe lids matter a lot to me on toy boxes. This RUYUFE lid stay is the soft-close safety hinge on My Famous Rustic Toy Box, which is now sold on RTPCabinets.com.
What You Get
- A 2-pack of lid stays
- Opens to 105° with soft close
It's rated 3.9 stars from 474 ratings on Amazon, and most of the bad reviews come from the setup. Check the listing for sizes and mounting details to make sure it fits your lid before you buy.
Who It's For
Anyone building or fixing a piece with a hinged top lid. If you're making a toy box for your kids or grandkids, this is cheap insurance against pinched fingers. If you're building a hamper or a chest, it keeps the lid out of your way while you load it.
My Take
For toy boxes, hampers, and anything else that loads from the top, the RUYUFE 105° lid stay is my favorite. It holds the lid open, it's tough, and it's handled tops as big as 4 ft x 14" for me.
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