Box room for a child?

[orangeredpink]

I am a single parent with one DC (7). Having to move and looking for new properties to either rent or buy, I have the deposit to buy but due to the average property prices for a 2 bedroom flat in my area being ridiculously high I can't get a mortgage big enough. I can't move out of the area due to work/school/transport.

What I've found I can afford are big 1 bedroom flats (same size as my current 2 bed) where I could add a (temp?) wall/divider to the living room or bedroom to make a small boxroom, or 1 bed flats that already have a box room/study with the view of moving again to somewhere bigger in 2-3 years with a bigger deposit/salary.

I've spoken to DC and shown them how small their room would be compared to their current room, and they don't mind, esp as other than sleeping/getting dressed they are never in there. However, my mum thinks I'm bat shit crazy and massively unreasonable.

Alternatively, I could continue to rent, but would be paying £4-500 p/m extra in rent that what I'd be paying on a mortgage.

However, my mum thinks I'm bat shit crazy and massively unreasonable

Doubtless she'd be happy to pony up the additional £4-500 pcm you'd otherwise save in buying?

Your plan sounds fine, could you get a cabin bed for ds with storage / desk / couch underneath? Might make a box room better. Also big mirrors and light colours make rooms seem bigger.

I'd absolutely buy in your shoes. Try to think creatively with space - if it has a very large lounge/bedroom, or a bit of no-mans-land space, or an unconverted loft that's part of it, those could all (with a bit of work) make decent bedrooms.

I'd try to avoid moving again in 2-3 year because moving is expensive (SDLT, removals...) and stressful - aim for slightly longer if possible.

Seems like a sensible solution. A friend did this and even had a made to measure platform bed with wardrobe and drawers built under for her daughter. She foubd somewhere that did shorter mattresses too.

Is your mum jealous or something? Can't imagine why she'd be against this idea.

We live in a 2 up, 2 down and DP runs his business from home. Currently, half of the second bedroom (not really a double) belongs to DS and the other half belongs to DP as his office, so I would definitely go ahead with your plans! My DS is only 13 months though.

I've 3 dc with one in a box room, and realistically that's where he'll stay until he moves out. We have the room nicely done with built in furniture. It's cosy but functional and my ds is very happy there.

My daughter is 10 and has a box room. Both the head and foot of her bed touch the walls. Next to the bed there is enough room for a set of drawers and some narrow shelves, but not a wardrobe. She is quite happy in there. She has a high bed with a bookshelf, a dolls house and comfy cushions underneath it. She likes the high bed and often sits under her bed playing with toys. Although she wouldn't say no to a bigger room, she is perfectly happy where she is. The only issue we have is that she loves toys and crafts - as there is so little space in her room to keep her things, they spill out into the rest of the house (we have a toy stables with horses set up permanently in the living room, for instance).

Why is your mother so vehement in her opposition? You've come up with the most workable solution.

I had a boxroom as a kid. Room for a single bed, chest of drawers, small bookcase, and my treasured stuff. I was perfectly happy!

We have our eldest DC in what is essentially a box room. There is room for a cabin bed and a chair and that's about it. We are adding and Ikea fold down table to the windowsill this weekend but it will have to be folded away after every use or there will be no room to move. He loves his room and says it is cosy. He is 13 and spends most of his time in the garden or in the sitting room.
I would absolutely buy in your situation.

DD has a high (and full size) bed in a box room. It's great. She loves it and there is a desk and chest of drawers underneath, and shelves at the side. It's plenty of room.

I would definitely buy.

It's absolutely fine as long as the room fits a bed.

Both the head and foot of her bed touch the walls. Next to the bed there is enough room for a set of drawers and some narrow shelves, but not a wardrobe.

That's pretty much the sizing I've been looking at, and having a cabin bed.

I have absolutely no idea why she's so against it as she just ignored when I tried to probe why and made me feel like I was being a horrible mother.

Buy the flat! And go to IKEA for some small room inspo. Good luck x

Ignore your mum.
Better you do this now and save the money before secondary school starts and her never leaving her room 😂

Do you have 2 DC? If so, what not let them share the larger room and you have the box room?

No, just 1 DC.

Ignore me - I've just realised you're using "non binary" pronouns for your one child 😊

Go for it your plan is sensible. Ignore your mum

Is there a window in the room?

It is fine! Go for it, your mum is the one being batshit, not you.

Sounds good to me, I personally would buy.

A friend of mine has a box room where her teen leaves. They have a custom-made bed, with chest of draw underneath the mattress, and a pull-out table. When the teen study, they take the table out, and just slide it back when not needed

most teens I know study on their bed anyway

This makes good financial sense. With the rent saved get built in furniture. Try to get a place that could have a loft conversion in the future and do that instead of moving.
Be firm with your DM and tell her this is your only affordable option.
Maybe something in her past has made her biased about box rooms?
Good luck