Create Space in the Kids' Room

My wife and I thought about the girls' room for quite awhile. Our idea was to design a playroom with functional bedroom furniture and loaded with plenty of storage solutions. There were some challenges, the main one being that the space is only 13 feet by 10 feet. Since our apartment is cozy, around 1200 sf, the four of us need all the usable space we can get. So, the more space we could make for the kids, the more space, potentially, kind of, we could have for the grown ups. This was a pretty selfish project on my part.

We considered bunk beds. That sounded like a good way to create a bit more space in the room. But who would get the top bunk? Is it usually the younger one? I think Bobby slept on the top bunk above Peter in The Brady Bunch. I also remember Arnold, in Different Strokes, climbing up to the top of that cool perpendicular bed that he shared with Willis. But does that make sense? Why wouldn't we want to play it safe and put the youngest below? But then we realized they'd probably both want to be on top so we came up with two loft beds, instead.

Raising both beds up allowed us more living space below. We created two separate spaces so the girls would each have their own corner of the world to play and learn. We chose their favorite colors for the wall below so that area would be more unique. That also gave us the ability to go in two different directions with the decor. The rolling toy storage bench in the middle makes a meeting place for tea parties and active imaginations. It's also good for mom or dad to stand on when checking on the little guys. The modular toy boxes, from viatoybox.com, make great big steps up to the top, too.

Comments

[E. Murphy]

Where did you get those great beds?

[Jenny]

Hi
I was dreaming up something similar. Could you share your knowledge re: how to make such a wonderful nook?
Thanks
Jenny

[Mandy]

I was wondering the same thing as the previous commentors. Our son's bedroom is tiny and, the older he gets, the bigger his toys seem to get. My father-in-law and I have been brainstorming loft bed ideas but haven't been able to find a picture of the reality until I happened upon your blog today.

Any way I can get the plans or instructions??

[kandy]

HI
I love this bed! I have a 4 year old and a 5 year old, and really would love to know if anyone knows where to find a plan as to how to build this bed, with lists of supplies i would need!
Thanks