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Original poster

How can I make the space nice for our trip

44 replies

RosieDel · 27/01/2025 23:28

I live very far away overseas. We are coming back to visit my parents in the summer. I love my parents but (without going into detail - you'll have to take my word for it) they are useless in many ways.

Their house is a 3 bed but not huge and me and my two DCs (10 and 7) will be staying there. The house is always half finished, for eg they will spend money on the garden getting a gazebo they don't use, but the top attic bedroom has no curtains, one thin carpet with no underlay and you can hear everything in the bedrooms below. It has no bed in it at the moment.

I have in the past stayed elsewhere but it isn't really practical this time for financial reasons. The top attic room is big enough for all three of us to sleep in.

How can I make the top room nice for me and my DCs to sleep in and maybe try and sound proof it and keep it cool? Any ideas?

Where I live you can hire a sort of external cabin that can be used as a temporary additional bedroom but that doesn't seem to be a thing in the UK. Camping in the garden will be too tiring after such a long journey.

OP posts:
HeronWing · 27/01/2025 23:36

Well, do your parents know you’re coming and that three extra people will be sleeping in the house? I mean, won’t they be buying beds and curtains or blinds at the very least?

WonderingWanda · 27/01/2025 23:40

Nice thick rugs and an air con unit....which will drown out the noise from below.

Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 00:01

HeronWing · 27/01/2025 23:36

Well, do your parents know you’re coming and that three extra people will be sleeping in the house? I mean, won’t they be buying beds and curtains or blinds at the very least?

I refer you to my first paragraph! Yes they know but they're useless and no they won't be doing anything

OP posts:
Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 00:02

WonderingWanda · 27/01/2025 23:40

Nice thick rugs and an air con unit....which will drown out the noise from below.

Thank you is it poss to buy an air con unit that is not permanent?

OP posts:
Trumpton · 28/01/2025 00:06

My first thought was treat it like indoor camping. Even going as far as putting a tent up?
decent self inflating blow up bed for you. The children will manage on mats. But add up what you intend to spend it might work out cheaper to use a budget hotel unless you can safely store everything for another year.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 28/01/2025 00:13

Jesus. Just send them a list of what you need. You don't need aircon in the summer in the uk. But you do need beds. Don't mess around saving them from the work: they are grown ups, know what guests need and bloody ought to make it nice for you when you're travelling so far. Don't let them weaponise their incompetence: stop being the woman who runs around solving everything for everyone.

Housebuy1 · 28/01/2025 00:16

I would use any money you have to book a cheap hotel instead to be honest

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 28/01/2025 00:17

Who is sleeping in the bedrooms ?

why do all 3 of you have to sleep in the attic ?

did your parents invite you.

healthybychristmas · 28/01/2025 00:18

Find an Airbnb instead particularly for the first few nights. You will be exhausted after the flight and will want to rest.

Do your parents have any money they can use for furniture etc? It sounds very unwelcoming.

healthybychristmas · 28/01/2025 00:42

You really really won't want to knock on unit in the UK in the summer! My house has a big attic room which is warm in the summer but we just leave the window open and it's fine.

I'm really concerned about you having to sleep there on your first few nights.

TheLurpackYears · 28/01/2025 00:49

It's potentially going to be absolutely stifling in an attic in summer, so something like an air blade unit. Stick on black out blinds and some ear plugs. Plus 3 inflatable beds.
After only a few occasional nights in a relatives old house attic I feel you pain. Freezing in winter and drafty, I'd have to drag furniture over cupboard doorways to block the wind whistling through.

OwlInTheOak · 28/01/2025 01:11

Just ask them to, or if they can't buy yourself, 3 cheap single bedframes and mattresses. Order a curtain rail and curtains, spend the first 2 hours putting the stuff up and overall you'll save money. Regarding the sound issue a big rug may help. Again not that expensive, B&M will do them if there's one local.

Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 03:04

Third bedroom is the attic room it’s not an attic per se. The second bedroom is too small but also I want us to have our own space and some privacy so think it’s the best option.

My parents have before gone and slept up there on sofa bed with no curtains etc so we could use their room - it’s madness. They’re now in their 70s. We are not doing that again.

I know to normal people this seems insane but it’s just the way they are.

Just wish there was some way around it as we visit often (yearly). They’ve got a massive garden - they did once look at an annex but it never happened

OP posts:
Powderblue1 · 28/01/2025 03:16

Get one of those stick on black out blinds for babies. We still use ours now if we go away to caravan parks etc as the curtains are always useless. Could you take a white noise machine to drown out noise? I travel with these for the kids too

MrsJHernandez · 28/01/2025 03:48

I feel very sad that your parents don't put any effort into making their daughter and grandchildren comfortable and welcome. Can they afford the things you need?

Why should you be the one putting in all the money and effort? Just because they're your parents, doesn't mean you should tolerate or accept their incompetence and thoughtlessness.

I just don't see why you should waste your hard earned money buying beds etc to stay in your parents house. If they want you to visit, they should be doing that for you.

Honestly, I wouldn't go if they can't be bothered to put in an ounce of effort.

Ask them for the things you need, and if they refuse, don't go.

Sorry, I know this wasn't an answer to your questions. I'm just annoyed and upset for you! ❤️

SquawkerTexasRanger · 28/01/2025 04:14

You can get stuff like beds, curtains and rugs second hand for cheap on Facebook Marketplace

Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 04:23

@MrsJHernandez thank you, I know it sounds awful but they do have redeeeming qualities too. It’s really hard to explain

OP posts:
BingoDingoDog · 28/01/2025 04:32

I'd order some cheap new mattresses to be delivered the day you arrive and a big cheap rug. Putting a sheet over the window would be very easy to do.

You kids won't care at all. They might enjoy it.

Are you sure it wouldn't be better for your kids to have the attic and you and your husband to have the small bedroom. Might they prefer to have the space for themselves

Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 04:39

BingoDingoDog · 28/01/2025 04:32

I'd order some cheap new mattresses to be delivered the day you arrive and a big cheap rug. Putting a sheet over the window would be very easy to do.

You kids won't care at all. They might enjoy it.

Are you sure it wouldn't be better for your kids to have the attic and you and your husband to have the small bedroom. Might they prefer to have the space for themselves

Good idea re mattresses! DH not with us this time but good suggestion

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 28/01/2025 05:04

Your best bet from overseas is ikea.

i know what you mean about cost. We have no where to stay when we return to uk and even a basic accommodation is expensive if your staying 2-3+ weeks.

other Facebook marketplace in uk you will probably find cheap or even free bed frames and furniture. You need your parents to be able to help with collecting though or arranging someone to

Caspianberg · 28/01/2025 05:07

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/utaker-stackable-bed-with-2-mattresses-pine-afjaell-medium-firm-s49521517/

these type of beds would be practical. Stack when not in use, can configure as needed. Includes mattresses.Low so handy for attic and you can spread out under eves along each side. Stack when you leave.

Would your parents be open to paying half?
if you order 2, that’s 4 beds for you all in future for £350 if they will pay half.

UTÅKER Pine, stackable bed with mattresses, 80x200 cm - IKEA

The UTÅKER pine stackable bed 80x200 easily converts from a single bed to a double bed, sofa, or corner sofa. Perfect for sleepovers or when you need extra floor space. Includes 2 medium firm mattresses.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/utaker-stackable-bed-with-2-mattresses-pine-afjaell-medium-firm-s49521517

sashh · 28/01/2025 06:03

RosieDel · 28/01/2025 00:02

Thank you is it poss to buy an air con unit that is not permanent?

Show quote history

Yes. They are noisy but they work. I'm not good with heat. I do a an AC with a fan blowing the cool air towards me. I have a second one in my bedroom.

I would ask your parents to let you decorate / renovate so you and the children have a base when they visit.

Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 06:07

@sashh i hadn’t considered that. Tbh say we spent 500-1000 on air bnb/hotels… May as well just bloody make it nice in there

OP posts:
Original poster
RosieDel · 28/01/2025 06:09

Caspianberg · 28/01/2025 05:07

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/utaker-stackable-bed-with-2-mattresses-pine-afjaell-medium-firm-s49521517/

these type of beds would be practical. Stack when not in use, can configure as needed. Includes mattresses.Low so handy for attic and you can spread out under eves along each side. Stack when you leave.

Would your parents be open to paying half?
if you order 2, that’s 4 beds for you all in future for £350 if they will pay half.

Edited

Thank you this is great.

It gets so expensive when you pay for flights. And then you think - I could be on holiday somewhere! I love visiting home but oh how I wish it was easier than this

OP posts:
eurochick · 28/01/2025 06:12

You could get these for the windows. We used them when we moved and the previous people had taken all the curtains. They worked well.

amzn.eu/d/aBYxAIF

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