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Original poster

Guest bed or no guest bed!

43 replies

UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:41

Hugely fascinating third world problem.

I've spent many, many hours working out what to do with guest beds and I can't decide. So hive mind...

3 bed house, us and 2dc. One room each, one is large, one is medium. My parents come to visit a few times a year. Plan is to move both dc into smaller room when people come to stay. Do I go for:

Option 1 - single bed and ikea daybed in large room with spare mattress or trundle bed under bed in smaller room. Will be a squeeze to get a desk in when dc1 needs it in a few years.
Option 2: trundle beds under beds in both rooms (do they get dusty?). Parents might not find getting on/off trundle easy.
Option 3: two singles in larger room and parents will have to sleep separately when they come. Best option re space as don't need to be able to extend the bed.

Any options I've forgotten? I don't really want bunk beds.

OP posts:
zeebeedee · 02/09/2018 16:45

Not sure why you don't want bunks, but I'd go for bunks for the smaller room (or at least a high bed, so the 2nd one can go underneath) and trundle with legs for the bigger room, so you can pull it out and stand it up to make a double/2 singles as required.

123time · 02/09/2018 16:45

How old are DC? Can you not put a double bed in the larger room?

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:47

Thanks @zeebeedee. Don't want bunk beds as dc2 too small/kamikaze! Could consider it in a few years though.

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Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:48

Dc are young, under 7. Could do double but doesn't leave much floor space.

OP posts:
Aprilshowersinaugust · 02/09/2018 16:49

Dc a room each and air B&B suggestions for the dps!!

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:50

I suppose I want to go for singles but don't know if that's not very hospitable?

OP posts:
123time · 02/09/2018 16:50

You could just put a daybed in the large room without the single bed? DC sleeps on this, and then you extend when you have guests to stay.

You can get very comfy ones that would be fine to sleep on every night.

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:50

Ha @Aprilshowersinaugust it would be cheaper than a new guest bed with trundle that goes up to make a double

OP posts:
MaryBoBary · 02/09/2018 16:51

Why can’t your presumably 6 year old have the top bunk? Unless SN I think they would be more than capable and would love it

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:52

@123time I like the ikea ones eg Brimnes but is it OK to sleep on two mattresses every night? I don't know why I feel like that would be bad for dc?

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Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:53

6 yo not dry at night and I can't face changing a top bunk so often @MaryBoBary!

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Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:53

Not trying to be obtuse, I promise Smile

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123time · 02/09/2018 16:53

Ah I hadn't thought of it that way, I've done it and so have many friends when we've had limited bedroom space - but I don't know if it would be different for growing children...

MouseholeCat · 02/09/2018 16:56

If you went for option 3, could you set things up so that you pushed the singles together when your parents visit?

Trundle beds are okay, but it's annoying losing under bed storage if you have limited space already. The Ikea Hemnes one has drawers and pulls out to a normal(ish) height double though.

MaisyPops · 02/09/2018 16:56

Maybe I'm going to go against the MN grain here but you house set up should work for your family who actually live there.

2 singles is absolutely fine. Prioritise your family and then decide what works arouns that. Don't change your plans for the children around having spare sleeping capacity for some of the year.

Of course someone will turn up saying anything other than a fully dedicated guest room witj double bed, empty closet and appropriate welcome basket and coordinating towels is ghastly hospitality.

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 16:57

@123time I think that's it - I don't want to make dc suffer all year round for a few occasions when my parents visit.

OP posts:
JassyRadlett · 02/09/2018 16:57

Instead of two standard singles, what about a zip link you can convert to a double if needed?

HighwayDragon1 · 02/09/2018 16:57

Single beds, one with a trundle. You can get them that pop up to make a double bed for guests.

LeftRightCentre · 02/09/2018 17:00

I hate bunks. They are dire. And to change the sheets, a royal PITA. They suck and I was so glad to get of ours.

Two single beds. Your children are the ones who live there all year.

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 17:00

@MaisyPops I'm inclined to agree. Good news is I've set the bar low with previous hospitality Grin

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Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 17:01

@JassyRadlett off to Google that, thanks

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Murinae · 02/09/2018 17:04

We have the Ikea Flekke in the spare room which works well for one or two visitors. More room if just one and pulled out for two. Pulled out it’s also reasonable high so not so much of a problem for your parents to get in and out

redsummershoes · 02/09/2018 17:05

option 4
sofa bed or blow up matress in the living room.

Sandstormbrewing · 02/09/2018 17:07

A pop up trundle in large room with a mattress topper to a nice double.

Then a standard trundle in the small room.

Original poster
UniversalTruth · 02/09/2018 17:07

Any opinions on whether trundle beds get dusty?

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