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Is it possible to make a 5x7ft bedroom comfortable for a child once they outgrow the cot?

68 replies

Pascha · 22/03/2013 17:08

We have a decision to make:

  1. Swap the bathroom and third room back around to what they were originally, giving a reasonable size bedroom and a tiny bathroom. This is apparently quite difficult (according to my plumber husband and FIL) and we will probably not see a return for our money when we eventually come to sell.

  2. Leave DS2 there and make the room as good as possible, maybe by building in a bed rather than attempting to put a single in Hmm

  3. Move. Not practically possible til we have two incomes again.

  4. Put both boys in together in our large bedroom once DS2 is out of the cot while we have DS1's smaller but perfectly good sized room ourselves.

    What would you choose?
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lalalonglegs · 22/03/2013 17:11

I'd move the bedroom and the bathroom - never seen the point of a big bathroom if space is at a premium elsewhere as you only spend a few minutes in it per day. If the bathroom was originally where the bedroom is, I don't understand why it would be difficult. I'm afraid a tiny third bedroom will make your house much harder to sell than a small bathroom.

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dietstartsmonday · 22/03/2013 17:12

I built a bed in my old house for DD it worked well, got to be worth looking at that option more

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Moominsarehippos · 22/03/2013 17:14

I'd look onto getting a high sleeper. Room for a desk and wardrobe underneath and keeps as much if the floor clear as possible.

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rocketleaf · 22/03/2013 17:14

Could you build a cabin bed in the small room or bunk beds in DS1s room so they can share it hence keeping the big room for yourselves?
I would try and work with what you've got rather than messing about with plumbing.

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HerRoyalNotness · 22/03/2013 17:15

I'd either do 2 or 4.

Personally I can't stand a small bathroom. If I'm trying to get ready in the morning, and then the boys need to brush their teeth, and DH is primping his hair, I get VERY agitated.

If building in a bed, I'd do a high sleeper type deal, with drawers underneath, probably 2 drawers high on one half and shelving on the other half, then it's not so high, but you get some good storage for clothes, toys and books without taking up floor space.

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Pascha · 22/03/2013 17:16

I agree with you lala and we had decided some time ago that this would be the best option but DH and FIL have taken a proper look this afternoon and concluded that it will cost lots and lots. I trust their considered opinion.

I don't want to have to build a bed in there. I would rather chuck the boys in together than do that. DH refuses to consider this.

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Hulababy · 22/03/2013 17:16

I'd look at how ,much to swap the bedroom and bathroom. Tbh a smaller bathroom wouldn't be too bad if you sell after but a 5x7 bedroom may put people off a lot more.

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OneHundredSecondsofSolitude · 22/03/2013 17:18

4

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MortifiedAdams · 22/03/2013 17:19

DDs room is a bit bigger than your dss OP but we used to use it as our main bedroom as the master bedroom was the lounge (ground floor flat), and what would be the lounge was a dining room.

When I fell pg we swapped the rooms round to free up the bedroom for dd, and we have the big one and tbh all we do is sleep in it.

If we have a second child we will.move back into the small.room and put the two dcs in the big room with all their toys

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Pascha · 22/03/2013 17:20

Problem is with high sleepers and such is that the window and the door are on the long walls which rules anything like that out. We will have to change the door hinges so it opens out into the hall as it is to allow enough room for a bed to fit in.

DS1's room is under the sloping roof. We could get 2 singles in easily but not a bunkbed.

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HerRoyalNotness · 22/03/2013 17:21

something like this idea, although they're more standalone pieces, and looks lovely, but probably pricey

www.juniorrooms.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ArchieCabinBed.jpg

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Floralnomad · 22/03/2013 17:22

I'd look at some of the set ups in places like Ikea and other bedroom places and then steal their ideas and build stuff in . Your oH and FIL sound quite handy ! It's a small child so it would be playing downstairs anyway on the whole .im sure you could make it look really cosy .

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Pascha · 22/03/2013 17:24

We have a very large well fitted out shower room downstairs so a tiny bathroom isn't the end of the world, as long as we can get a bath in somewhere I'm happy.

A built-in low cabin bed is theoretically possible but I still don't really like the idea. DS2 would have virtually no floor space at all

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lastSplash · 22/03/2013 17:25

If you're planning to be in the house for a good few years, definitely 1.

Luckily you're husband can do the plumbing.

The kids having decent sized bedrooms of their own will be worth the money.

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Iatemyskinnyperson · 22/03/2013 17:25

My nephews bedroom is v small, but they've made it very functional & fun with a purpose-built bed. Loads of storage underneath & bed on a high platform (railing around it). He loves it & my DS always asks for one like it.

It wasn't that expensive IIRC, a local carpenter made it for them. Think it was a hybrid from a couple of flat pack units!!

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HerRoyalNotness · 22/03/2013 17:26

That does make the bathroom move better then. We're stuck with one bathroom for now. grrrr.

Here is that bed, it's on sale. Just as well I'm not in the Uk right now, I'd probably get it for our box room!

www.featherandblack.com/childrens/beds/bunk-$4-cabin-beds/archie-cabin-bed?/?utm_source=af&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=affiliatewindow&_$ja=tsid:24695&awc=3295_1363973036_126f788d88066eefa8785bc7d2053868

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Pascha · 22/03/2013 17:26

Oh I like that, HerRoyal. Its too tall though, it would block the window.

I suppose no floor space means no mess?

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MortifiedAdams · 22/03/2013 17:27

You could.make your own storage bed like this which he wouldnt grow out of.

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pooka · 22/03/2013 17:28

yes - depends how longterm this would be.

Either move ds2 in with ds1 and have the tiny bedroom shelved out for toys and books.

Or change the bathroom and bedroom round. How big is the bathroom? That would be my first choice.

Or you move into ds1s current bedroom, using tiny room as walk in clothes storage. And ds1 and ds2 share the larger bedroom.

I really can't see a 5x7 bedroom working for the long term.

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MortifiedAdams · 22/03/2013 17:31

Even more storage

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MinimalistMommi · 22/03/2013 17:34

Could you look for a futon style floor bed but with a proper mattress and a very very low bed frame? The bed could easily be used to sit on/play on as well as sleeping on.

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pompompom · 22/03/2013 17:35

If he's just out of the cot then surely you can't get a high sleeper - I wouldn't be happy putting a child under 4 up so high Confused

I'd just put them both in the same room tbh.. Or at least do a trial and see how that works (to convince your DH). If it doesn't work, swap the bathroom and tiny bedroom.

I don't think a 5 x 7 bedroom would be good at all

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Pascha · 22/03/2013 17:39

He's only 10 weeks old, Pompompom Grin We're planning this for next year.

Current bathroom is 7'6 x 8' with a built-in cupboard - perfectly fine as a single bedroom. Current bedroom is 4'7 x 7' with no storage space.

When we moved here pre-children, I did use this room as my walk-in wardrobe Grin

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YourHandInMyHand · 22/03/2013 17:52

I slept in the tiny bedroom as a kid and liked having my own space while my 2 younger sisters shared the big room. I had a bed cut to size to fit in, then when I got older they did similar with a high sleeper.

I think I would do 4. Let the dcs share the big bedroom, you have the reasonable sized room, and leave the little bedroom as a study or something.

I wouldn't faff changing the bathroom to another room.

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SquinkieBunnies · 22/03/2013 17:57

I'd switch rooms with Ds and put them together in the big bedroom, and use the small room as an office with a closet in for all my stuff, dressing room style.

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