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Original poster

How much space does a nearly teenager need?

17 replies

Povertytrapped · 30/05/2023 17:27

I need to move after divorce, and have seen somewhere promising but the bedrooms are smallish. Location is ideal, walkable to school and friends. I’m thinking location is more important than size of bedroom - it’ll be smaller than he’s got but much, much easier for his social life…thoughts?

OP posts:
ConfusedFeet · 30/05/2023 17:29

My dc rooms are all approx 2.5x3msq. Not big, won't fit a double but fine. What size are the rooms you're looking at?

ICalledYouLastNightFromGlasgow · 30/05/2023 17:30

A bed, some storage and a desk. I agree location is more important than space for teenagers.

Simianwalk · 30/05/2023 17:31

We have three teens, one is the box room. It fits a single bed (long one as he is over 6 foot) a small chest of drawers and a small desk..lots of shelves on the floor. Given that he uses his floor as a wardrobe there is plenty of space 😜

MintJulia · 30/05/2023 17:34

My ds has a double room, space for bed, two chests of drawers and a desk. He fills it with his books!

But we're quite remote. Given the choice , I'd go for location so they can meet with friends without you needing to drive them.

NotMeNoNo · 30/05/2023 17:39

DS1 also has our box room, he has a high bed built in, storage under, a desk and chair. Long Bookshelf on 2 walls at top of door level. But he's not a spreader, he's happy with a private little nook. Other son would not have coped with a small space , it's partly down to temperament.

being close to friends and able to get transport independently are big pluses

EwwSprouts · 30/05/2023 17:51

DS has a small bedroom, about 3mx2.5m. He's fine with it. Not much space to walk round the bed but has a double wardrobe. He has a lot of sport kit and that goes under the bed. However, we have a small den downstairs where he games & friends gather.

2reefsin30knots · 30/05/2023 18:06

My nearly-teen has quite a small bedroom, just fits his double bed (which he requested) and a chest of drawers.

He has another space in the house though, where he has his gaming computer and some desk space.

I agree with PP that location is more important than bedroom size. My DS walks to school and loves to wander into town with his friends and I am so grateful I don't have to be involved in the school run or his social life.

AmyandPhilipfan · 30/05/2023 18:10

My 14 year old has the box room. His single bed just fits in going long ways under the window then he has a small desk and a slim wardrobe. We did try a mid sleeper but it felt very claustrophobic and feels roomier with a normal single bed. We've also put up a lot of shelving. He does occasionally feel a bit hard done by but he also has a desk and gaming set up in the corner of the dining room so I definitely think he has enough space to himself.

nobodygoesdowninthejungle · 30/05/2023 18:15

Is it just you & DS? If so, can I suggest you think about the space as a whole rather than just bedroom space?
The thing to factor in is that bedtimes only get later and you might want to do different things in the evening or both watch TV but watch different things so, ideally, you need different spaces to do that.
One of my friends gave her teen the bigger bedroom on the basis that the mum has the downstairs space to socialise in. Another did the opposite and has the bigger bedroom which she has a TV in and then, downstairs, the sitting room has her sons' gaming stuff in but she has managed to set up the kitchen/dining area with a small sofa in it. A third friend has a really comfy outdoor seating area with firepit & blankets so she or her DC can spend time out there too.
The second friend is now in a relationship so is having a re-think whilst also not wanting to disrupt things for her DC.

Original poster
Povertytrapped · 30/05/2023 18:26

Wow so many messages and ideas - thanks everyone! Yes just me and DS, and the smaller bedroom in the place I like is just 1.8 x 3.5 but the current owners have got a platform bed with shelves under the window, and then a desk with a gaming station (which he’d love!) and then a fitted wardrobe…but it looks ok…plus there’s a good size garden so maybe he could have his own shed 😀!

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 30/05/2023 18:58

I've always wanted a high bed with a desk underneath. The bribe of a gaming system sounds perfect.

itsgettingweird · 30/05/2023 19:09

An outdoor space with electricity, a heater and gaming stuff would be great!

And just think how peaceful it'll be when him and his mates are in the man cave and not your house 🤣

Bedroom is a fine size. My ds has got shelves in his room which he put up himself and then has a desk underneath.

He also has a single ottoman bed which is great for storage.

He also has a hanger thing on the wall that sticks out he can hang his hoodies on. Have a look at wall hangers etc as they are great space savers.

IKEA website is your friend for space saving small room ideas.

IsItHalfTermYetHelp · 30/05/2023 19:14

We moved when my youngest was 11 as he only had room for a single bed (just!), a wardrobe over the stairwell bulkhead and a bookcase. Wanted him to have room for a desk and chest of drawers. Do think bedrooms are only part of the issue- if you’ve got a second reception room they can study and game in there, if the landing is massive drawers or shelves can go there etc.

OctaviaPole · 31/05/2023 07:48

I think bed, desk, wardrobe need to fit in. Looking back my room at home was small and I could fit all of the above in. But if I had friends round we would socialise and hang out elsewhere in the house. I think given its just you and DS that is unlikely to be a problem. Being able to walk to school and meet up with friends would be great. I don't think it sounds that small either - when I left home I discovered my bed at home was narrow compared to standard sizes. I'd never noticed though.

Original poster
Povertytrapped · 31/05/2023 08:08

No money to throw at a pod unfortunately but they’re great fun…but depending on house price he might get an insulated shed if there’s room 😁!

I love the idea of setting the whole place up for both of us, not just relying on his bedroom (I’d love ours to be the house his mates congregate in!) so I will now think more creatively when I’m looking at places - thank you for that realisation, of course we’d have shared all of it anyway but making the space work differently (my budget isn’t huge) has made the whole endeavour more exciting; we’ve been through tough times so looking forward to a new and happy start for both of us 💛💜

OP posts:
Fretfulmum · 31/05/2023 12:45

You need to take the whole house into account. If there’s sufficient and private living space for your DS then a small bedroom is totally fine. All he is doing is sleeping in his room. He could have his desk for homework, gaming etc in his own living area downstairs and that’s where he can socialise with his friends too.
Bedroom size is only an issue if you are expecting DC to do their homework, socialising and downtime in there too.

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