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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Splitting a room

93 replies

bardos · 26/08/2023 08:16

Not really an AIBU but WWYD.

We are moving house soon, I will attach a picture. What I would like to do is split the bigger room into two so my children can have their own rooms.

The door would have to be inside the rooms to maximise on space and as there is no where in the hall to put another door.

Has anyone done similar and can advise on cost and whether you think it would give decent sized rooms? I've measured it out on the floor but I'm struggling to visualise the space as a room and whether they are going to feel really tiny.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Original poster
bardos · 26/08/2023 08:17

This is the floor plan

Splitting a room
OP posts:
NalafromtheLionKing · 26/08/2023 08:19

I think they would feel really tiny. Suggest you get bunk beds if a three bedroom really isn’t an option.

Goodadvice1980 · 26/08/2023 08:21

Can you relocate the hot water tank to making splitting the main bedroom easier?

DilemmaDelilah · 26/08/2023 08:23

The two rooms would be plenty big in my opinion and there are already 2 windows. However, where would you put the second door? Would you create a lobby where the existing door is and have them both coming off that? And the shapes are awkward, you would need to be very careful about where you put the partition/whether the partition is straight or not to ensure the furniture fits in and there is parity in size. It would take a bit of planning but should be doable.

Original poster
bardos · 26/08/2023 08:26

I have thought about putting a door in where the hot water tank is, but it would cost quite a lot more. The kids are 5 and 2 so having an adjoining door won't bother them in terms of privacy. They currently share. I would just love to give them their own spaces as they've not had it before. But we also don't have the money to do any huge work

OP posts:
VainAbigail · 26/08/2023 08:26

I think it’s fine. It’s be like 2 box rooms really. Added bonus they will both have a window each. And the boiler isn’t even in the room so that’s a pointless suggestion.

gogomoto · 26/08/2023 08:26

On your home made perfect they split a room by using bunk beds that were split alternate sides and each girl had one side basically, I'm not describing it well but it would be a good solution for you and the dividing is just the bed basically

jeaux90 · 26/08/2023 08:30

I did this recently. I created a small lobby with the two doors off it. Took me a weekend to build the walls with my partner. Easy job.

Aprilx · 26/08/2023 08:30

I think it would be a mistake to have them adjoining. Yes a 2 and 5 year old might not mind. But if you move it would be off putting, nobody wants to have to go through one bedroom to get to another.

CherryMaDeara · 26/08/2023 08:30

No advice but that looks very doable. Great that each room will have a window.

Original poster
bardos · 26/08/2023 08:30

This is where I am thinking to add a door so it would be internal to both rooms but means we don't have to make one room shorter. There is currently two windows and two radiators so that's something we wouldn't have to worry about. There is only one light so we would have to put new lights in

Splitting a room
OP posts:
jeaux90 · 26/08/2023 08:33

Problem with that is one of them has no privacy as they get older and you are impacting the value of your house. You need to create a small lobby with two doors.

Original poster
bardos · 26/08/2023 08:34

Just to add we are planning on staying here long term as everything else about the house is perfect, so being able to move in the future isn't an issue

OP posts:
CherryMaDeara · 26/08/2023 08:35

I assume the partition wall is quite think and can be easily removed in future?

Feelinglow27 · 26/08/2023 08:35

I agree - if its longterm to try and find a way for separate entries

Original poster
bardos · 26/08/2023 08:36

Would anyone be able to give me a rough idea on how much it would be to create either of the options? One stud wall with a door or a lobby with two doors. We would be able to do the work ourselves

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 26/08/2023 08:36

@CherryMaDeara a partition wall is the same as any other ...framing, insulation and plasterboard.

Peony654 · 26/08/2023 08:36

If it’s long term house I’d be more inclined to wait and do a proper split with separate doors from the landing. Children are fine to share for now. It would be very offputting as a buyer if you have to go through one room to the other.

Aprilx · 26/08/2023 08:37

bardos · 26/08/2023 08:34

Just to add we are planning on staying here long term as everything else about the house is perfect, so being able to move in the future isn't an issue

You don’t know what curveball life will throw at you. It really isn’t wise to devalue your house like this, you need to do the lobby, you are cutting corners. And even if you stay there, it is not fair on one child, they will be subjected to intrusions by the other child plus all their visiting friends.

Feelinglow27 · 26/08/2023 08:37

You could look into getting your boiler replaced to a combi then you wouldn't need the tank. See if your gas company have any offers. I got mine upgraded for about 2k but could pay the cost off interest free for up to 5 years.

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 26/08/2023 08:37

You need a separate entrance if you stay there long term. My best friend's older brother had to walk through the younger brother's room to get to his and they constantly fell out over it from ages 10 and 13 onwards.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 26/08/2023 08:39

Would this not work better? Makes rm2 very small but doable for the 2yo. Other child then has left side new room and you and dh have right side new room.

Long term I'd look to put in combi boiler downstairs so the water tank could go and free up more landing g.

Splitting a room
jeaux90 · 26/08/2023 08:39

@bardos I did this recently materials were 700 gbp and I did it myself. If you are getting someone in to do it, it should take them no longer than a week up to plastering (although I didn't plaster mine fully you don't need to if you plan on wall papering the partitions)

Newmumatlast · 26/08/2023 08:40

If its just a stud wall it can be easily removed so I'd go for it as you plan and if it doesn't work when they are older you can amend. But they may actually not mind

TerrorAustralis · 26/08/2023 08:41

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 26/08/2023 08:37

You need a separate entrance if you stay there long term. My best friend's older brother had to walk through the younger brother's room to get to his and they constantly fell out over it from ages 10 and 13 onwards.

I think it depends on the relationship between the siblings. My older sisters had a similar set up during their teenage years and it worked fine for them. The one that tended to go to bed earlier had the end room.