How best to arrange/ stage a small bedroom??

[OneDayIWillLearn]

Our 4th bedroom is probably bigger than what you’d call a box room but it is small. We have had a small double in it because my stepdaughter was living with us (who is early 20s and wanted that) but now she’s moved out my 7 year old son is going in there from sharing with his 4 year old sister. We will be selling the house later this year though and I want to show the room best as possible- we briefly listed the house in the autumn and had feedback about unequal bedroom sizes.

My son is keen to keep the double bed though I wanted to change it for a single as I thought it would leave more floor space. However I would have to buy a single bed new and we are moving to a bigger house so don’t really want to spend lots (or have money to spare!). But should I insist or does a small double a least show you can get that in??

also not sure how best to arrange the rest of it. At the moment his clothes are in a small chest of drawers but not quite small enough for the alcove. I can’t work out how best to use the alcove - originally in was book shelves but then we had it as hanging space for my SD but now it just feels like dead space. Ideas??

also generally how would you set up this space so it is a nice room for a 7 year old but looks good for photos/ viewings without spending too much??

You should definitely get a single bed, he needs the floor space. You don't have to spend much on it, you could get a very simple frame and mattress, with a mattress topper maybe? Paint the wall behind the head of the bed to look like a headboard, have some matching bedding and throw cushions so it's comfy to sit up in bed and read/colour.

Can you make the shelves look less industrial somehow? Even some battery powered fairy lights would be more welcoming.

Put up a net curtain (you can get nice ones, not old fashioned style) over the inset clothes hanging space, move the drawers into that spot as well. If they don't fit, remove the shelf.

Repaint the room something soothing like a pale green or blue.

It has the potential to be a really cheerful, nice space for your dc. :)

Here's what I'd do. A high sleeper or mid sleeper with ikea kallax bookshef underneath for books and homework. You can find those stompa beds second hand. A desk where the drawers are, drawers can go under high bed too. A wall mounted reading lamp next to bed. A wardrobe where the alcove is. You can source a cheap second hand radiator cover from Ebay. A nice picture above the radiator. Lick of paint, blinds, voila.

I don't think the bed matters much. coat of paint, some pictures on the wall & nice curtains - any decorative things that draw the eye are good.

High sleepers are a great idea at first, but when the child is ill, has an accident, or you simply can't cuddle up to read at bedtime, it doesn't work so well. I've tried a few different types with my dc over the years, and we just couldn't make it work comfortably. Maybe one of the mid sleepers with drawers underneath or something? Pricey, though you wouldn't need any other furniture in the room with the shelves and alcove.

www.happybeds.co.uk/captains-waxed-pine-wooden-storage-bed-frame-3ft-single?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_-GxBhC1ARIsADGgDjvyFFJ3fJYW5WLg1Rwyo52c2WnN-vEdK72AEMuPDVX623GqiHIEOsEaAtlsEALw_wcB

My 7 year old has a high sleeper, cuddles never an issue! Just need to climb up :) midsleeper good too tho, my other one has that. Both withbedi side tables like a shelf attached to the side , really cute.

In a room with a similar layout, I have a single bed/ day bed under the window and a desk/ small wardrobe on the opposite wall beside the door. All white, it makes the room seem loads bigger and nice cushions on the day bed look good when looking into the room.

you can have any combo of mirror/ hooks/ whiteboard/wall mounted lamp on the wall opposite the radiator.

i can’t tell from your photo if the alcove is wide enough for the end of the bed to fit though.

a clever carpenter could fit the chest into the alcove.

tbh I would go with a single bed. look on second hand sites, lots on those in my area.

Keep the bed

I’d do however he wants for now

For selling, remove the chest of drawers & turn the bed so you can walk around it & add a small bedside table either side.
Remove traces of boy and style as a neutral double guest room.

The room will look bigger and more useable that way.
Add a nice plain curtain over the wardrobe alcove.

I’d fit a wardrobe with drawers at the bottom in the alcove, and replace the chest of drawers with a small desk and chair, doubling up as bedside table. That’ll make it look like it can work for a teen bedroom, or kids room, as people will think “all clothes in wardrobe, plus space for desk or toy storage”.

I’d keep the small double. They aren’t much smaller than a single.

One of my kids has a high sleeper, the other a mid level one, the mid level one is so much better. It’s ikea, frame bought for £30 second hand intending to buy him a high one, but now happy to never get round to unless he really wants one one day.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! Lots to chew over there. I think I need to get my tape measure out and work out what furniture we can get in the alcove next…..

Is the 6’ 11” right into the door return or only up to the bathroom wall? If it’s only up to the bathroom surely a single bed would fit perfectly along that wall. Then you could get a small bedside chest with drawers to go under the window, use the hanging rail for clothes and possibly add a shelf or two more for shoes/toys/books.
You could give DS a small budget for one or two items of artwork - favourite game characters or something and, if you’re going to leave the hanging open, it would be worth spending a little on matching hangers, perhaps in wood.

I’d do what @Talipesmum says. Get doors for the alcove and front to back hanging. Shelves above and below for shoes, clothes etc.

Then get either a small bedside unit or a desk and a chair. Under the window is great. It’s not the biggest of rooms but keep the bed. Just use the alcove. My dc never worked in their rooms so a desk isn’t vital. A small chest could be useful and don’t bother cutting that one down.

I personally would definitely keep the bed. I think the layout is fine, you can tell it’s a decent size and I like the chest. I would decorate neutrally, get a nice fresh (neutral) blind (like a stripe or a check) get your son a couple of pictures and some cool bedding which can be replaced with something a bit more neutral when you want to stage it for sale.

If you are thinking about staging for sale, what makes the room undesirable and will put people off is not having room for a double bed AND a wardrobe. Turning the alcove into a fitted wardrobe will solve that concern and give your DS more floor space as he won’t need such a big chest of drawers.

I agree with turning the bed around, as a PP suggested, and adding 2 small bedside tables when it comes to selling but for now do what works best for your DS. Leave as is if he prefers one big floor space for playing.

Get rid of the ugly shelves and (if you need shelves for storage) put some nicer ones up above the radiator with things arranged to look aesthetically pleasing (for the EA photos at least) to create a focal point. If you don’t need shelves, get a big picture to brighten up the room.

As you aren’t staying long, apart from dealing with the shelves and fitting a wardrobe, I would just get some nice bedding, lampshade, blind, picture and lamp for your DS. Save your money for his new bedroom when you move.

@Clarinet1 yes to the bathroom wall. And yes you can get a bed in with a few inches to spare (so I think it makes sense to do that?)

good idea with the hangers. I actually think I have some in my wardrobe which isn’t open to view, so maybe I will swap them around.

and ditto artwork, he would enjoy that (and maybe a new duvet cover!)

This was my thinking with a small table each side for a side light.