Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Home decoration

Redesigning a tiny box room for a teen

84 replies

BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 14:38

Hoping for some ideas here. We need to redo my DD’s room, she’s 12 and her room does not work for her. She is in the box room, 248cm long, 212 cm wide roughly. Currently in a high sleeper lengthways down the room, with desk and drawers underneath. Just about enough floor space left over for a Trofast unit opposite.

Her high sleeper can be converted into a single, so I’m thinking of moving it so it goes widthways across the room under the window, rather than length ways. Then we’d have more option to use the walls and hopefully give her an actual wardrobe and drawers. She uses a desk downstairs so I don’t think she’d need one in her bedroom. Although I’m conscious she might want more privacy to study when she hits GCSE time.

Does anyone have a similar size room and how have you made it work for your DC? Any clever desk ideas? She’s not that bothered about wardrobe space because most of her clothes don’t need to be hung. But she does own a billion books and would ideally like space for those. Any ideas for layout gratefully received.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
quietnightmare · 21/01/2023 14:39

Look on Pinterest there are loads of great ideas for small bedrooms

Floralnomad · 21/01/2023 14:41

If you’ve got an IKEA nearby they usually have some room layouts that you could use for inspiration

BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 14:43

quietnightmare · 21/01/2023 14:39

Look on Pinterest there are loads of great ideas for small bedrooms

I've looked on Pinterest but all the box rooms I can see are either massive or they just show the bed. I know everyone loves Pinterest but it drives me crazy as it never shows me what I want.

OP posts:
BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 14:44

Really rubbish layout drawing. We want to add a bigger radiator in the room ideally too as the current one I don't think is big enough to heat the room. We've had condensation issues this year and the room never feels properly toasty.

Redesigning a tiny box room for a teen
OP posts:
Rummikub · 21/01/2023 14:44

How long is the bed? Would there be room for a bookcase at the end of the bed?

Pumpkinbumkin200 · 21/01/2023 14:48

I had a tiny box room until I moved out after uni. Same sort of size as yours but window was on the longer length and my bed was along that wall (my dad built it so was slightly narrower than a single). Then opposite the bed at the foot end I had a desk and next to that a single size wardrobe with drawers in that opened facing the door (my dad also rehung the door of the bedroom so that it opened outwards not into the room to save space).

BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 14:48

Rummikub · 21/01/2023 14:44

How long is the bed? Would there be room for a bookcase at the end of the bed?

The bed is 204cm. We have had a narrow Billy in the corner at the end of it when it’s run lengthwise, but once it’s width wise that would be tougher. We had to move the bookcase out this winter though because of condensation building in the corner where it was. One of my thoughts with switching the bed to single was that we could then potentially put shelves on the wall at the end of the bed, if not a bookcase. And just generally free up wall space rather than everything being under the bed.

OP posts:
Rummikub · 21/01/2023 14:48

IKEA pax 100cm wardrobe next to the door. Can fit drawers, rail and shelves in there. Tallest one you can fit in.

Or run of chest of drawers next to bed plus wardrobe 75cm.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 21/01/2023 14:50

I'm soon to install a flip down desk that is bolted to the wall. Amazon have some nice ones.

BertieBotts · 21/01/2023 14:52

Maybe forget the wardrobe if she doesn't have much that needs hanging - you could store those clothes in somebody else's room if they are rarely worn/formal type wear? Or just on hangers on hooks on the back of the door if they are worn more frequently.

Rummikub · 21/01/2023 14:53

BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 14:48

The bed is 204cm. We have had a narrow Billy in the corner at the end of it when it’s run lengthwise, but once it’s width wise that would be tougher. We had to move the bookcase out this winter though because of condensation building in the corner where it was. One of my thoughts with switching the bed to single was that we could then potentially put shelves on the wall at the end of the bed, if not a bookcase. And just generally free up wall space rather than everything being under the bed.

Yes that’s a good idea about wall shelving at foot of bed.
my dd has a 75cm wardrobe with drawers and it’s enough. She has the brimnes IKEA bed with drawers under.

BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 14:54

BertieBotts · 21/01/2023 14:52

Maybe forget the wardrobe if she doesn't have much that needs hanging - you could store those clothes in somebody else's room if they are rarely worn/formal type wear? Or just on hangers on hooks on the back of the door if they are worn more frequently.

Yes I’m not convinced she needs a wardrobe. She’s a very casual dressing girl and I don’t see that changing. What she really needs is lots of drawers for her endless T-shirts and hoodies.

OP posts:
Rummikub · 21/01/2023 14:59

you
could get 2x 80cm width chest of drawers on long wall next to bed. Then put shelving above those.

See what she wants to keep in her room. I use drawers much more than hanging space.

Herbie0987 · 21/01/2023 15:04

We have a box room with the stairs going into the room, DP built a single bed over the stair slope (1 metre high) with storage underneath, we have cupboard but you could put in drawers. It just fits from window to short wall. There are shelves on the wall at foot end of bed. On long wall to door there is a dressing table which can be used as a desk.
I used the dressing table when WFH.

Sandysandwich · 21/01/2023 15:07

Could you put a shelf running round her room high up like this but for her books? So they are there but as you dont need constant access to them they are also out of the way?

Redesigning a tiny box room for a teen
BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 15:09

Sandysandwich · 21/01/2023 15:07

Could you put a shelf running round her room high up like this but for her books? So they are there but as you dont need constant access to them they are also out of the way?

Oh I like this! I was wondering about that as the room has a picture rail at the moment and it made me wonder. I bet it’s a pig to dust though. But if you can’t see dust is it there?

OP posts:
titchy · 21/01/2023 15:10

Bed under window with drawers underneath eg https://www.happybeds.co.uk/captains-waxed-pine-wooden-storage-bed-frame-3ft-single?gclid=Cj0KCQiAt66eBhCnARIsAKf3ZNE37Qh516ze6OpiC8AQenxPPL3NB6aZamK4nbdIy9BZOPhWsZpwcaAvC4EALw_wcB
Get a carpenter in (or DIY!) shallow shelves either side of the window and at the end of the bed for books.
Chest of drawers next to head end of bed so can also be used as bedside cabinet. Over door hooks for the odd thing that needs hanging up.

pocketvenuss · 21/01/2023 15:12

If you replace the bed to a single, you can still get one that has masses of under bed storage. Get a high bed -one with more than the regular amount of storage under. You can have drawers or pull out units or a lift up bed top.

Caspianberg · 21/01/2023 15:20

I would get the ikea hemnes range.

Hemnes bed with three drawers underneath. Put on Wall underneath window

Hemnes 160cm large 8 drawer unit for wall door is on. It should fit that gap. Can put Mirror above on wall

Wall mount a book shelves at foot of bed.

BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 15:20

I don’t think drawers under bed are going to work because the window is quite low. I wouldn’t want to block light from it, it’s 86cm from the floor to the window sill.

OP posts:
BoxRoomRefurb · 21/01/2023 15:22

I’d also rather not buy a new bed because hers cost a lot and we can convert it.

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 21/01/2023 15:23

Use single you have, and buy under bed drawers or baskets to go underneath for similar result.

MooFroo · 21/01/2023 15:24

Add shelves or ikea kallax to the walls so can sue as shelves, drawers and put stuff on top as well as hooks along the bottom of them if needed them - they are genius!

UmmBopDooDooWhap · 21/01/2023 15:29

When my dd had a slightly smaller than this box room we took the wardrobe out as it made the room feel even smaller. She kept any clothes that couldn't be kept in a chest of drawers (which wasn't that many) in her sister's wardrobe and we kept her school uniforms over the bannister. Not ideal but it worked.