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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Tiny bedroom for DS, feeling guilty-futon advice needed!

49 replies

JandT · 27/02/2013 12:50

In the summer we are moving to a smaller house which amongst all the other problems means DS (who will be aged 12-14 when we live there) can only fit a single bed and possibly chest of drawers in his room. The room does have a cupboard which we can put other things in but my concern is that he won't be able to have space to play/chill out or, space for a desk (he has two noisy younger brothers!).

So, my current thinking is we could get him a futon plus a 'fold down' desk and if he wants to use it he folds the futon up, desk down and can put up a folding chair (see how this works?!).

Does anyone have any futon advice? I've seen the 'normal' ones for £100ish but I don't know if it would survive a boy that age (although super skinny he's already over 5 foot), I'd also prefer something that wasn't directly on the floor (just think psychologically it might be preferable). I'm not so concerned about cost as I think it would be worth spending the money and him not being miserable in a tiny room-a futon which looks fun/different would be amazing as ideally he'd probably want one with built in train track/cars but I know that might be asking too much!!

Thank you!

OP posts:
noisytoys · 27/02/2013 12:55

No futon advise but don't feel guilty. My DDs share a single room all they have is bunk beds, and a single wardrobe it's fine Smile

mumblechum1 · 27/02/2013 12:57

DS also has a smallish room, but we've got around the problem by putting in a high bed for sleeping, with a 3 seater sofa below, opposite which is his chest of drawers with a TV on top.

He's leaving home in September so if you want his high sleeper and (now tatty but coverable) sofa and are in the Bucks/Oxon area you're welcome to it. I'll be putting a double bed into his room then.

mumblechum1 · 27/02/2013 12:57

Thing about a futon is that you have to make it up every night which is a pain.

OldBeanbagz · 27/02/2013 13:05

I don't know much about futons as the only one i slept on for any length of time was over 25+ years ago. Don't feel bad that he will have a tiny room, i had one when i was growing up. It's more important that he has his own space.

How about something like this? Also cool wallpaper mural if he's into cars.

flossieflower · 27/02/2013 13:06

How about something like this? www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7389638.htm

DD had a tiny box room with a mid height cabin bed (she's 6 and got it at four so too young for a high one). It gives her space to play underneath and extra storage. I can't see a 12-14 year old boy bothering to fold up a futon!

Mabelface · 27/02/2013 13:06

High bed option here too with a desk underneath. DS2 loves his space now.

Mabelface · 27/02/2013 13:08

Got one of these www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00160866/ We bought the double initially for DS1. Now he's moved out we've chopped it down to a single for DS2.

SCOTCHandWRY · 27/02/2013 13:11

Ikea does a fantastic metal bunk high rise thing, we got it for our teen sons quite small bedroom - it is high enough that you can put a desk and chair and maybe some drawers under it. My DS has 2 comfy chairs (his computer sits on the other side of the room, about 4foot from thw bed) and a drawer unit under his.

This bed basically doubles the amenity space in his small room!

SCOTCHandWRY · 27/02/2013 13:14

Cross post with MAD, but ours is a slightly different one, sliver tubular metal, single size and I think a little cheaper.

Original poster
JandT · 27/02/2013 13:15

Thank you so much!

Unfortunately a high/loft bed is a no go-currently has one and hates it (plus he's so tall he has to literally crawl into it and can only just roll over at night). Not very high ceilings in the new house either.

If he has a single bed (or futon) he will have about 1m alongside it and that's it. To add to the problems there is a window and radiator in the wrong place. If he has a futon I imagine he will leave it down then put it up if he wants desk space (rather than doing homework on his lap!) or friends over so probably once a week at most!

That wallpaper mural is amazing!! I am putting that on the list of things to make him excited about moving.

Guilt isn't just due to the room but we're moving 2 hour drive away from family and friends, new school etc. Just feels unfair when it's not what we all want but have to because of DH's work and we have a house that comes with it so are stuck.

OP posts:
OldBeanbagz · 27/02/2013 13:37

What about a mid height bed with pull out desk? This one takes a standard mattress.

I'm sure if you let all your DC have input in their rooms it'll make the move a lot easier.

ISeeSmallPeople · 27/02/2013 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
JandT · 27/02/2013 14:01

I have considered a mid height/cabin bed but they never seem that sturdy for a clumsy/jumpy boy, plus he still wouldn't have the space to sit at the desk (it's that tiny).

Will look at day beds but suspect due to them being slightly longer normally it wouldn't fit with a (very narrow) chest of drawers as well.

Just frustrating!

He'll have total control on his room, when we moved to our current house (aged 8) he chose the décor then painted his own room-Mummy is just 'creative director'!

OP posts:
ISeeSmallPeople · 27/02/2013 14:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
JandT · 27/02/2013 14:27

Wall beds sound like an idea, do you get 'individual' ones or do they have to be part of a bigger unit? Only way a bed fits is next to the door so can only fit a single bed width, nothing added. Also, are they sturdy? My son really can (and regularly does) break anything....

We need to work out the plans ourselves. Got sent a very vague one (size of rooms with doors, nothing like windows, radiators etc included) then took photos on Saturday when we visited. Now need a spare evening to draw it up as best as possible and work from there (currently looking like the first available evening will be Sunday...).

OP posts:
hippoCritt · 27/02/2013 14:33

I spent one night on a futons vowed never again, I don't think it's suitable for every night although I suspect I wear more than your son!

If fund allow I'd buy one of these www.studybed.co.uk/ you can keep stuff on the desk whilst using it as a bed

ISeeSmallPeople · 27/02/2013 14:36

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

janek · 27/02/2013 14:40

We have a futon as our spare bed, but we also slept on it for several weeks while waiting for our proper bed to arrive. We have realised more recently that it is much more comfortable to just use the mattress on the floor than it is to use the frame to sleep on. Presumably not an option in your ds's small room.

Does he actually sit at a desk to do homework? I used to do mine on my crossed legs in bed (and then hobble about for the rest of the evening...), with this in mind could you get him a double mattress/futon and just have most of the room as 'bed'?

Alternatively, ikea do mid-sleepers too ikea mid-sleeper.

Also, did you see that george clarke presented earlier this year about small spaces? One guy on it did some amazing stuff to a houseboat, including having a bed that folded away, turning it into a desk. Might be worth looking on 5 player and seeing if you can still watch it - might give you some other ideas as well Wink.

janek · 27/02/2013 14:43

ah, turns out it was on channel 4

OldBeanbagz · 27/02/2013 14:46

This one is pretty cool and he won't even have to take the things off his desk!

Original poster
JandT · 27/02/2013 14:47

hippoCritt - that's amazing but there's no way we'd afford that. Going to have a lot less money as it is. I used to enjoy futons (had a boyfriend that had one) and found they helped my dodgy back but wonder if it would 'wear' after a while. DS is a bit of an old woman anyway!

Will have a proper look at wall beds later as that could help.

OP posts:
MrsHoarder · 27/02/2013 14:53

I know what ISee means by a wall bed, we had one in a studio flat. It had a proper mattress and could be put away "made up" (ie with the duvet on). I'd think it would be much comfier than a futon.

If you look here, 2/3 of the way down there is a single bed with shelf/desk. Bit pricey though (although I haven't looked around for a better price).

AndWhenYouGetThere · 27/02/2013 15:08

Another vote for a studybed - they are fab things!

ISeeSmallPeople · 27/02/2013 15:21

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ISeeSmallPeople · 27/02/2013 15:59

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