To put the kids and their soft toys in the under-stairs shoe cupboard

[Kif]

I'm serious!

Dc3 due very soon, and I'm trying to figure out how to arrange things so that we all fit into the living space we have available. I'm hoping to be reasonably tidy and not too cramped.

I think I've had a brainwave - but I know RL friends will laugh at me - so i wanted to canvas on MN to get a 'Lunatic Rating' for my plan.

I think I can clear the under-stairs cupboard, stick an old thick futon mattress, cushions, and some book shelves in there and announce to the kids that they have a new Den to store soft toys and books, and hang out in if they'd like.

I'll need to put a nice bright light in there - and I think I'd replace the door with a curtain - but I can't really see what's wrong with it. It's no more cold or damp than the kitchen next door - and there'll be cushions and mattress to make it cosy. My main concern is that it's near the front door - that people sometimes open sharlpy.

If I was a kid I'd love it....

It sounds fab - I guess just make sure they don't lock themselves in!

great idea

I have friends who have done this. It's just the risght size for a children's den, a fab idea!

I'd have loved this. On the other hand, maybe you could make it a den for you to reatreat from the rest of the house in...

How old are dcs, you could always put it across as having been their idea if someone laughs at you! You just made it a safe and more comfortable space when they started to want to play there?????

oh heaven! i often used to get this arrangement made for me when i was little, and i LOVED it but it was temporary. what a fab idea.

Dd is 4 and her brother is 18 months.

My DS would have loved it around that age (probably still would but he's way too big ). I think I would go with taking the door off just to make sure they couldn't get stuck, but it sounds lovely

If it was good enough for Harry Potter...