August will turn two this week, on Friday (already!), and I’ve been thinking about his ‘big boy’ room. Brandon and I had already moved Eleanor to her new room (and into a twin bed) when she was around the same age. A big difference between them though is that Eleanor waits for us to come get her in the morning. Still does. August, on the other hand, will bolt the second he’s given a chance. Thus it behooves us to keep him in his crib a little longer, until he figures out how to scale it. (We’re surprised he hasn’t yet.)
I’d like to have a room plan in place though, and that hinges on the bed. I had a hard time choosing a bed for Eleanor, too. I thought about a curlicue wicker headboard (too fragile), or IKEA’s adjustable Minnen bed (not bad), but in the end decided to buy a Jenny Lind bed. This time around, all of those options are out the window.
August’s room is great for a nursery, but it’s oddly shaped. It’s only 7′ across, from the door to the window. At 14-1/2 feet, it’s the widest room in our house, but the ceiling slopes downward on each side. Only the middle 6 feet of the room has a full height (86″) ceiling.
I pulled his crib out from the wall to see how a twin-sized bed would feel in the room. Not good. There’s barely enough room to walk by the dresser, and the bed would of course be much longer too. A 42″ wide bed just doesn’t work that well in an 84″ wide room.
We could make a twin-sized bed work if we move the dresser to where the glider and ottoman are, and then leave the dresser wall blank.
I worry that the bed will feel too big for the room though, even if it does fit. Alternatively, I’ve been considering IKEA’s Sundvik toddler bed. That’s a stopgap measure though. What will that buy us? Three years? Another option is to use our Lubi Daybed. It’s what we had in the room before we turned it into a nursery, back when it was a guest bedroom. It’s as long as a twin bed, but only 32.5″ wide. Ours is orange, and currently sitting in our basement, not being used.
Then the dresser could stay where it is, and we could replace the glider and ottoman with a play table and chairs. Or a tent, or teepee, or some other such thing.
I don’t like that there isn’t a real headboard for the daybed, because I am inordinately annoyed by the idea of pillows slipping down between the bed and the wall. With a couple of bed rails though, it may be the best choice.
There is one other option too. When we bought the house, the people that lived here told us that they use to put a mattress down in the opening that we’re currently using as a play area. Hello, giant fort! I don’t know how easy it would be to change the bedding though, because the mattress would slide under that opening a little. And for some reason I think it would be a spider haven (even though we don’t have a bug problem and I have no reason to think that).
What would you do? I guess I’m leaning toward the daybed, but I’m really not sure.
*Update*
Here’s the layout of that weird little play area nook. It’s actually open, under the floor, for nearly two feet. We currently utilize that space by sliding plastic bins under for toys.
Kristi @ SIMPLEPRETTYTHINGS
February 5, 2013 at 1:37 pmOh my gosh I would put the mattress in the “hole” in the floor. That sounds weird as I say it in my head but that would be so. much. fun. I would not do that daybed, it just looks like a couch. I think toddler beds are a waste of money. Wanna know something funny? The two beds that you had picked out for Elanor (the wicker and IKEA one) were two that I was considering for my daughter but we ended up getting an antique spindle bed. Kind of like the Jenny Lind. Weird!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:52 pmI think toddler beds are a mostly waste of money too, but sometimes they can be useful. And how funny about the beds!
Camille W.
February 5, 2013 at 2:03 pmI bought a full size spindle bed (antique) off craigslist for $50 for my son! Kind of Jenny Lind like. It’s gorgeous and was such a steal!
Sara Rose
February 5, 2013 at 1:37 pmThe day bed. Hands down. Easiest use of what you already have and I like the toy area with the recessed floor still as a play area. As for him bolting- our son has a gate across his door and a clock that I got on Amazon that specifically SAYS “Time to get up” and changes light color from the gentle nightlight to a vibrant green. I think you can program it to say other things too but, I suppose it’s rather Pavlovian. LOL- don’t bother mom and dad until the clock says so! (Understand- I have kids that would get up at 2 am and think nothing of it. Weirdos. LOL)
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:51 pmThat clock sounds awesome.
Sara Rose
February 7, 2013 at 3:40 pmI KNOW RIGHT!!!! The husband found it because he’s a genius.
Erika
February 5, 2013 at 1:38 pmOh, I love the fort bed idea! I think it would be great (it makes me want a fort bed). I think that changing bedding would be just as much of a chore on the opening as you would on any other surface and you won’t have the inevitable issue of kid falling off of bed. Plus, it’s a very Montessori-friendly idea.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:55 pmTrue. I forgot about the Motessori bed on the floor thing. Eleanor has never fallen out of her bed though — there is a little rail along the side, and then she can climb in and out pretty easily when she wants to.
Changing the bedding however… eek. The mattress would slide under that little lip you see around the edge (on two sides), so it would entail wrestling the mattress out of there somehow to change sheets.
Katie
February 5, 2013 at 2:28 pmI think, maybe putting a small twin frame and bunky board in the recessed area might bump up the mattress high enough so that you can change the sheets more easily.
Margaret
February 5, 2013 at 2:49 pmOh, I like Katie’s idea of building up that little hole a bit. You lose a tiny bit of cubit footage, but probably worth it. On the other hand, I’m having a hard time envisioning how that little cubby area works.
laura
February 6, 2013 at 12:49 pmif you got a memory foam mattress, it would be pretty easy to cut a piece off the end to make it a custom size.
i cut a king memory foam mattress down to a queen once. you just need to take the cover off, cut the foam with a serrated knife, and alter the cover to fit the new size.
Dana @ House*Tweaking
February 5, 2013 at 1:39 pmI like the Lubi or “spider haven” options. Would it be feasible to open up the recessed space to the rest of the room? Can you remove the supports/partitions between the curtains? If so, I could just picture a bed there under the sloped ceiling with a fun curtain hanging from ceiling. The curtain could be opened or closed depending on A’s mood. I’m slowly discovering that little boys LOVE to sleep and play in hideouts ;) Removing the partitions might make changing the bedding easier on you too. Just some thoughts.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:57 pmI think the supports could be removed (or refashioned). I’m just thinking… when I inevitably have to crawl into bed with him on occasion, am I going to like the bed fort so much? ;)
Shelley
February 5, 2013 at 2:49 pmMy husband built my son a lofted fort bed, and I worried about both changing the sheets AND crawling into bed. Turns out, it’s not that big of a deal – awkward, maybe, but he loves it SO MUCH that it just became a non-issue. I love the idea of opening up the recessed area – such a great use of the space!
Sarah
February 5, 2013 at 2:11 pmI second this idea! It doesn’t look like opening up that area would require much demo at all.
Kristi @ SIMPLEPRETTYTHINGS
February 5, 2013 at 1:41 pmAlso, it’s hard to tell but, could you put the bed along the right hand wall covering up the hole? Then put the dresser next to the bed and window. Or will that not leave enough head room? I see there is a slope there maybe?
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:58 pmI don’t want to cover up the opening though. August and Eleanor both like to play in there.
beth
February 5, 2013 at 1:43 pmI’m so confused by the hole in the floor large enough for a mattress. What was its original purpose? Can you take down the wall between the bedroom and play space, finish the floor so that it’s not a drop down, and fit a twin? I’m not sure how it’s designed, but I was assuming the play space is only accessible from August’s room anyway and felt like an extension of it. I’m all for find a long term solution now.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:48 pmThat space IS confusing. The second floor was originally an attic for what was a two-bedroom, one-bath house. Some time ago (the 60s? 70?), the second floor was expanded with dormers almost from front to back on both sides. August’s room retains the original sloped ceilings, and so does part of Eleanor’s and the library. As for why the floor drops down, I have no idea. The “closet” on the other side of the room is the same way. I guess they figured they could squeeze a little more room out that way? I think the floor must have been raised to fit duct work in.
tl;dr – It’s a hundred-year-old house and it’s weird sometimes.
Kelley
February 5, 2013 at 5:30 pmNicole-
Our houses are very similar, except that our 100 year-old house remains a two-bedroom, one bath (unless you count the half bath in the basement) with a full, unfinished attic upstairs. We have big plans to convert the attic into another two bedrooms in the next couple of years. Until then, our two tots will have to share a room for a short while after our 3 month-old son moves out of our bedroom. To prepare for this eventual shift, and seeing how our daughter’s bedroom is a small-ish 8’x10′, we had my father-in-law build a toddler/day bed into her built-out closet. It was the exact right size as pre-existing crib mattress, so it made for a really simple conversion. Plus, I get to live out my childhood dreams of having a fort bed.
Picture here (pardon the Instagram quality): http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa352/kelleyalee/428066_336327223147288_350666408_n_zps0243595a.jpg
Kelley
February 5, 2013 at 5:35 pmOh, and in case it wasn’t obvious, I vote for “fort bed”!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 10:19 pmKelley, that’s adorable! I’ve seen some really great closet-to-bed transformations (Jordan from Oh Happy Day comes to mind), and I always really like them.
And where did you get that bed rail? So much better than the ugly ones I’ve been coming across.
Kelley
February 7, 2013 at 12:19 pmOh, I was definitely inspired by Jordan’s closet toddler bed/crib-combo. AMAZING.
I actually made the bed rail, and I’m *seriously* not that handy! I just purchased a piece of 2’x2′ sanded plywood from HD, sawed it to the right dimensions (something like 12″x24″) while using a roll of painters’ tape as a template for the rounded edges and sawing those with a keyhole saw. I made a couple of braces for the back using some scrap pieces of trim and glued/nailed them in place and then just sanded and painted. I had my husband screw the whole thing to the bed frame, though, since I’m terrified of power drills (told you I’m not that handy! Ha!).
There really are NO toddler-bed sized bed rails that are not horrendously ugly. :(
Marij
February 5, 2013 at 1:44 pmFort bed! Regardless of what you choose, would you consider a round-up of twin beds for boys? I enjoyed your posts about Eleanor’s bed, but I only have boys and haven’t stumbled on anything that is affordable yet not ‘blah’.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 1:50 pmGood idea! I’ll try to put a roundup together, maybe over on Babble.
Tiffany
February 5, 2013 at 1:44 pmCould you make a headboard for the daybed? I would go with that option since you have it and aren’t using it.
Megan Ruyle
February 5, 2013 at 1:49 pmThat was my first thought as well! Though the fort bed would also be fun. What a funny room.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:03 pmI could try! An upholstered headboard could be cute. I’m not sure how I would attach it without ruining the daybed’s upholstery though. I could mount it to the wall, but that doesn’t solve my weird pillow gap issue.
Michelle
February 5, 2013 at 1:51 pmFort bed! It reminds me of John Lennon’s bed in Help and I’ve always thought that was the coolest idea ever. :)
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:06 pmIt is pretty fab.
sp
February 5, 2013 at 1:56 pmif i were a kid, i would love a fort bed.
Julie S
February 5, 2013 at 1:56 pmInitially I was also thinking that if you closed off the curtained wall area you could either build in or place a bed along that wall but I didn’t realize that there was a play area behind it. Would there be organized child protests (with placards!) if that play area no longer existed?
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:07 pmYES. Brandon and I would be shamed from our home by our little two-party union.
Amandelin
February 5, 2013 at 2:02 pmWow, that’s a challenge. You didn’t mention how much you actually use the curtained closet area–could the stuff stored there find a new home? If so, you could put the bed across that wall and have a neato daybed thing going on. If it were on casters, you could even pull it out fairly easy to access the storage behind it.
In terms of ACTUAL bed suggestions, I think something upholstered on both ends and the back side would be neat? The problem then IS the loss of storage from the curtained wall, if you use that often, but it also leads me to a crazy new idea: a built-in storage thing on one of those slanted walls (or maybe both?) next to the window. Just something about a sail-shaped built-in in crisp white sounds amazing to me. It could even have a table that came out of it, like those ikea desks!
Anyway, that was my excessive opinion on the situation! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:12 pmWe use that area all the time. It isn’t curtained off anymore, and August (and Eleanor) play with their toys in there daily.
Trish
February 5, 2013 at 2:03 pmCould you put a low single bed or the day bed in the hole in play area? That way you won’t have to worry about spiders and it will be easier (but probably still a chore) to change the bedding.
Marla
February 5, 2013 at 2:03 pmI think I would do the daybed. Once its made up like a bed it won’t look like a couch and it looks nice a cozy in that little corner. Maybe a little DIY headboard/footboard will give it a bit more of a finished look. I wouldn’t waste money on a toddler bed when you already own a mini type bed that isn’t used. Go daybed.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:17 pmIt would be cute all done up as a bed. I’m liking the idea of adding a DIY headboard too.
Erica W
February 5, 2013 at 3:14 pmI agree – why spend the money when you have something suitable (day bed). In the meantime you can work out how you might fit a full sized twin bed in the space. I say save the money.
Katie C
February 5, 2013 at 2:05 pmI’m a fan of toddler beds. We just moved our almost-five-year-old out of his toddler bed and he was so sad to be done with it. It would at least give you some time before you had to make a decision on how to make the twin bed work. Once August is a little bigger, you could also consider the Kura bunk bed from ikea. Then he would have space to play underneath. Good luck!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:14 pmI think our ceilings are a little too low for bunk beds (or loft beds).
Sara
February 5, 2013 at 5:49 pmI was thinking the same thing. The Kura is like a half height loft
We are going to take the sides off our cribs when we get to that point to use as toddler beds. I don’t think of them as pointless, a few more years on he crib mattress means a few less years of wear on their twin beds.
You could DIy a very simple platform or even just put the crib mattress on the floor.
Steph
February 5, 2013 at 2:08 pmI think the daybed makes the most sense just because you have it and are not using it, but I would try to keep him in the crib as long as possible that’s for sure! I have a two-year-old and until he falls out (ok maybe before that happens) he’ll be in that crib! I’m trying to milk it for all it’s worth ;).
Kathryn
February 5, 2013 at 2:10 pmI would do a little DIY build up in the closet area with 2 x 4’s (or maybe just use a box spring) to raise the mattress up so the sheets are slightly easier to change and put the bed in there. That space will become (or continue to be?) a mess magnet if you leave it open for toys and when he gets to the lego stage it will be impossible. I vote bed in the closet with more floor space in the room and work on teaching him to change his own sheets ;) Emm has her bed up against a wall under that eaves and the sheets are annoying. I put on layers (which admittedly only works after they’re potty trained) so that I can just pull the top one off and don’t have to do it every week. I’m always a fan of as much floor space as possible in kids areas, especially busy little boys.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 3:56 pmWe can’t raise the mattress up, because it needs to slide under the lip of that opening. It’s a weird, weird space. The layers of sheets is a genius idea though!
Kathryn
February 5, 2013 at 10:01 pmAh ha. To clarify, I was suggesting building up the floor so that the mattress rested on top of the lip and any potential spiders could just stay underneath. I’m sure that has issues too, probably with wall/ceiling height.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 10:07 pmI see. Yes, that causes issues with the sloped ceiling. You hit the corner, instead of having an additional two feet of height.
Sarah
February 5, 2013 at 2:17 pmI like the day bed option! It seems like the most practical one, and especially if you already have it. Plus, that little play nook is really cute the way it is, and your kids might miss it. Maybe let August decide between your daybed and fort bed options?
Kristina
February 5, 2013 at 2:25 pmI think he would probably love having a little bed fort. Actually, as an adult, I would still love to have a bed fort…
Laurel
February 5, 2013 at 2:25 pmHi!
I love the daybed with a headboard. I too would be creeped out by a bed sunk into the floor, as cool as that sounds. There is a great tutorial from Little Green Notebook when Jenny made a headboard for a client (http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/01/joannas-bedroom.html). I can’t find the tutorial but I know it’s somewhere in the archives. Something like that could be super cute! Good luck!
Regards,
Laurel
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 3:57 pmI remember Jenny’s headboard. I can totally do something like that.
Amanda
February 6, 2013 at 10:08 amI love a tufted headboard! Here is the link to her tutorial: http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.ca/2012/02/diy-tufted-headboard.html
jbhat
February 5, 2013 at 2:31 pmI too left my little one in her crib for a loooong time. I think she might have been almost three or even a tiny bit past three before I was ready to transition her. And I almost hate to share this, but now that there are no crib bars imprisoning her, she is TERRIBLE about staying in bed after we put her down. So good luck with that when the time comes. Hopefully August will be reasonable about it.
My vote: I have always loved that daybed. It would be great to give it a new life with him.
And PS, my kiddos would kill (not really) to have a play nook like that. So cute!
jbhat
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 3:59 pmYeah, I think August is going to be a handful once he’s out of the crib.
And the play nook is awesome! A bed fort is awesome too though, just in a different way.
Jenny B
February 5, 2013 at 2:39 pmBefore we did a remodel, my kids shared a room, one sleeping in a loft bed and one with the bed in the closet (that perfectly fit a twin bed). Changing the sheet once a week only took a few minutes, but we only use bottom sheets and down comforters with duvet covers so if you have a more complicated system it might be more of a pain. I just climbed in to do the far corner and worked from there. My son (in the closet!) loved it.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 4:02 pmThat’s all we do for the bedding too. I’m just worried about getting down in the opening and shimmying a sheet on the mattress under the lip of the opening. And against the wall.
Laura
February 5, 2013 at 2:47 pmOooo…the daybed as a bed for a toddler boy makes me nervous. I’d be so worried about nighttime accidents (or potential illness) ruining the upholstery.
Would it be possible to drop his crib mattress down into the play area? Would that keep it from having to slide under the lip? I know that’s not a long-term solution, but it keeps you from having to buy a toddler bed. It would also let you see how much of a pain changing the sheets on it would be.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 2:59 pmWe’d put a waterproof sheet down, in between the regular sheets and the daybed. We’d do that with a mattress too.
Also, I updated the post with the layout of the nook. The reason the sheets would be difficult to change is because the mattress would slide under that lip around the edge of the opening.
Laura
February 5, 2013 at 4:01 pmYes, I wouldn’t want to attempt changing the twin mattress in that. Would the crib mattress fit though? The dimensions are much significantly smaller, so you maybe wouldn’t have to go under the lip.
Crib Mattress Size: 28″ x 52″
Twin Mattress Size: 39″ x 75″
Bethany
February 5, 2013 at 2:47 pmFort bed! That just sounds awesome. Kids seem to love cozying up in small spaces like that. Plus, more floor space for playing is nice.
Focipresley (Bon)
February 5, 2013 at 2:56 pmCheck out “The Boo and a Boy” blog for some inspiration! Julia, the blogger has amassed a great treasure of photos for child-room inspiration…maybe there will be a photo that helps you along in your decision. I look forward to seeing the approach you take!
Focipresley (Bon)
February 5, 2013 at 2:57 pmoops… its the boy and THE boy… here is the link, should you be interested: http://www.thebooandtheboy.com
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 4:04 pmThanks!
Melissa @ HOUSEography
February 5, 2013 at 2:59 pmCould you make the twin bed work if you get a new storage solution (like a narrow bookcase)? You aren’t that far from potty-training which makes the changing table no longer a necessity. Then you could keep the chair.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 3:00 pmI updated the post with a layout of the weird nook area. See why changing the sheets might be difficult? Also: potential spider haven, right?
Emily
February 5, 2013 at 3:00 pmI love the daybed, and think making a headboard would be so sweet in the space… I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Would you mind sharing where the play mat is from? It’s so cute, and I’m having a hard time finding a good looking one. Thanks!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 3:00 pmIKEA, for like $10.
Ellen
February 5, 2013 at 3:04 pmWould the day bed fit nicely into the play area? It might require doing something with the extra 10 inches in the width, but that could be a DIY ‘headboard’ perhaps? If it would fit, it seems like a win-win, you already own it, he gets a cool fort bed, it is raised for changing the sheets, and the room is freed up for an even bigger play area. Good luck!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 4:09 pmNo, it won’t fit. The daybed is firm, and I would need a floppy-ish mattress in order to fit it in the opening and under the lip of the edge.
Jessica at Lavender and Lilies
February 5, 2013 at 3:07 pmWell I for one am against spider havens of any kind. :) I like the daybed idea. It’s super cute and would give you several years before you have to re-imagine again. I am debating the toddler bed now because they only are good for just a couple of years if that. I like a more permanent solution.
Mary
February 5, 2013 at 3:25 pmI don’t want to strike a nerve but would it make sense at all to convert Brandon’s office into August’s big boy room and perhaps move his office to where August room is now? I know you mentioned Brandon has been out of work for some time, so I assume the office space isn’t crucial for him to have. Plus, wouldn’t be ideal if August had more play space?
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 3:31 pmBrandon’s office is downstairs though, and I like that all of our bedrooms are together, upstairs. Plus his “office” is off of the living room, with no door, and it’s smaller than August’s current room.
Mary
February 5, 2013 at 3:51 pmOh okay, got cha! The office space appears larger in photos. I’m sure you’ll figure it all out. Can’t wait to see what you come up with !
Stephanie
February 5, 2013 at 3:29 pmFort Bed!
Esther
February 5, 2013 at 3:38 pmIf I were a kid, I would LOVE the fort bed, as an adult who would have to change the linen, I would HATE it. You would end up having to sort of lie on it to tuck the sheets in and it would be a class A pain in the bum! My kids have beds without bedheads (I still haven’t found one’s I like) and because the kids are light and little, the beds don’t move away from the wall. I have never suffered from pillow slippage though, on occasion, the odd cuddly toy gets lost for a day or two. I think the daybed option is the best fit.
KRISTIN OESCH
February 5, 2013 at 3:55 pmI am a huge proponent of Montessori in the home and that floor area is perfect! The “floor bed” as it’s know. This is not my link, just a link I found via “Dear google help me parent”: http://www.stylelushblog.com/2011/08/the-montessori-floor-bed-would-you-try-it.html
If you are worried about spiders spray some EcoSmart from HomeDepot (non toxic and safe for August). I would just take the bed out 2x a year and give a good spray then go back once it’s dry and wipe a cloth with a little essential lavender oil to wick away that spell of the spray but doesn’t lesson it’s effectiveness, to my knowledge.
Honor your houses quirks and go with it! Besides just think of how cute you can style the bed area with cool artsy pillows.
Nicole S.
February 5, 2013 at 4:45 pmCould that bolster on the daybed serve as a headboard of sorts until he gets too tall for it to be? My vote is the daybed – it’s cute, you already have it, and it works in the space. Fort bed is cool, but that overlapping floor/mattress situation would give me the willies – spiders or not!
Lindsay
February 5, 2013 at 4:48 pmI lean toward the day bed — but if you go that route be sure to use a waterproof mattress pad! Such an easy save.
I’m sure whatever you choose August will love his new big boy bed!
Alyssa
February 5, 2013 at 4:55 pmWhen I was little, I had a built in bed like your “fort” and I thought it was the coolest thing that ever, ever was. I still think about how I’m going to do something like that for my kids, and you’re lucky your house came with one of ’em!
sue
February 5, 2013 at 5:22 pmcan you not flip the twin bed so it runs the width of the room instead of along the length and put it along the wall where the glider & ottoman currently are? then they (or the play table/teepee) can move to the other end of the room near the dresser… you could also curtain off the entrance to the bed area so it looks like a fort :)
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 7:40 pmIt would block the closet on that side.
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms
February 5, 2013 at 5:28 pmI like the daybed option. I think it makes the most sense and you can still use the play area for a cool fort/play area. Just think about him and potty training and all the sheets you will have to change. I don’t think that would be so much fun with a bed in the floor. Although if I were a kid I would LOVE to have my bed there!
Laura Gaskill
February 5, 2013 at 5:50 pmWe have the “Gulliver” from Ikea for our little (2yo) guy – it’s daybed style with a back, headboard & footboard, and I’m imagining we can use is as a kid couch/sleepover bed when he moves on to a regular twin bed. His room is pretty tiny, so I’m glad to have the extra space…for now.
Laura Gaskill
February 5, 2013 at 5:52 pmAnd you’re cracking me up with your fears of creating a “spider haven” – I would feel the same way! :) xo Laura
Nicole M.
February 5, 2013 at 6:28 pmOk, not sure if this is going to make sense. But, could you put a twin bed centered under the window (long length agains the wall) and flank the bed on both sides with a dresser? And on the opposite walls you could put up shelving for more storage. Obviously, this option would remove the storage/changing table and a smaller scale dresser would need to be purchased along with shelving. But, the room would look symmetrical and centered with the window and you would keep the play area.
And you could still create a fort…
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geiP0M5ltlY/UQQo13E5E4I/AAAAAAAATco/IGV8LYLObNY/s1600/13.jpg
Mara
February 5, 2013 at 6:29 pmYou could do a toddler bed for the next few years while the kids still want to play in the little play area. By the time he outgrows the bed, he may have outgrown the play area as well and at that point you could cover the hole with a new floor and better utilize the space.
Monica
February 5, 2013 at 6:54 pmI do like the idea of the daybed and since you already own it, it is a win-win. Do they sell sheets that fit it? I haven’t read through the comments, so please excuse if this has already been mentioned, but can you build up a little platform from the play area so that the mattress would be raised (easier to change bedding and hopefully spiderless?)
Carly
February 5, 2013 at 7:19 pmI’m not sure whether someone else has suggested this or not, but what about a smaller mattress in the play space? This one from Ikea is only 63 inches long, so maybe it wouldn’t have to slide under that lip?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60155126/
Then, if the mattress didn’t have to slide under that lip, you could do something to block off the space under the lip, preventing toys from getting lost under there and preventing any spider raids. (Although I’m still a little confused about the ups and downs in the play space.)
Danni
February 5, 2013 at 7:20 pmI vote for the daybed with DIY headboard. I don’t remember were but I once say a chalkboard headboard in a boy’s room and it was stylish while also thrilling fir the kid.
Another idea, have you considered Eleanor and August sharing a room? Although Eleanor’s room is super cute, I have fond memories of co-sharing with my brother (we were about 2 years apart and shared a room until I was 11 or 12).
Sara
February 5, 2013 at 7:22 pmWhile I like the fort bed idea, I think you should begin with the daybed. You have it, and he’s still little. Then, when he’s a bit bigger, you could convert the space to a fort with his help. We did something similar with my son when he was 5, but he has a lofted bed with a slide (small room with really high ceilings). He’s 7 now and stills loves his “super cool” bed. But, I do HATE climbing up to change his sheets or snuggling after a nightmare/sickness.
Erin
February 5, 2013 at 7:23 pmWe need more pica of this play area because my first thought was also to build up the hole so it is level with the floor and put a normal bed on that-frame and mattress.
Paige
February 5, 2013 at 7:48 pmI’m in the minority here…is the daybed going to really be that comfy for long-term use? I like the plan of a regular bed and moving the dresser. If there are other play areas for the kids, the beds and the sleeping are the important stuff. Just for consideration. You know what’s best and I’m sure whatever you do will be great!
Lisa
February 5, 2013 at 8:19 pmCould you cut away the flooring that creates the “spider haven” and just have a sunken area all around the mattress? Or at least the portion at the foot of the mattress?
Grace @ sense and simplicity
February 5, 2013 at 8:54 pmWhat about putting the bed along the closet wall and putting curtains across the bed so it looks like a daybed when they are open, but makes a great play space when they are pulled. It would still leave the recessed play area at the other end of the room. If that doesnt’ work for some reason, then I would vote for the daybed.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 10:07 pmWe don’t want to block access to the closet (which takes up nearly the entire wall opposite the play area).
Amber @ Wills Casa
February 5, 2013 at 9:00 pmI can’t believe August is already 2 and ready for a big boy room! Where does the time go! I have been searching for a big girl bed for Ramona for about a year (she’s 3). I never thought it would be so difficult to find a reasonably priced twin bed. Ugh. Can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
Michelle
February 5, 2013 at 9:03 pmTotally random, but my sister and I had a room like that at my dad’s house in California except the actual room was huge. We had a queen sized bed down in the floor like that and it was the most fun ever. Not sure how he would feel as a teen about it though.
Jennifer Rodgers
February 5, 2013 at 9:10 pmWhat about the Malm single bed frame from IKEA? That’s what we have in our 6 year old’s bedroom. Our youngest will be 3 next week (YIKES!! Where did another year go?!) and we are in the exact place you are except that he climbed out of his crib at 16 months so he’s been in a bed ever since (took the side rail off of the Sniglar IKEA crib). I’ve redesigned his room on a Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/jskirodgers/toddler-bedroom/ and luckily we have the room for bunk beds…just not the budget yet. Good luck with this transition. It is bitter sweet as they grow out of baby/toddler and into pre-school-kid age. Sigh…
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 10:12 pm16 months? That’s early! Your room looks like it’s going to be really cute though.
Amanda
February 5, 2013 at 9:18 pmwhy not center a twin, full sized daybed (like the HEMNES, black-brown – could always be painted a different color) under the window. this would leave space on the closet side for the dresser and on the play pit side, for a play table and chairs. the bed could really help serve to separate the functions of the room. and a daybed can always be loaded with comfy pillows.
you could get matching shallow storage (thinking the depth of BILLY bookcases) fort he opposite wall on either side of the door (just after the bed ends). center a 5×8 rug with the bed and you’re done. you would obviously lose the glider and the larger storage piece you’ve indicated with the changer BUT you’ve saved their play space AND given him a real big boy bed!
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 10:14 pmI get nervous about having the bed right under a second-floor window. I did consider a similar layout, and I’m sure I’m just being overly protective, but still.
kate
February 5, 2013 at 9:46 pmMy daughter has been sleeping on a mattress on her floor since she was about six months (when she wasn’t in bed with us). There’s a gate in her doorway, and she happily wakes up and reads or plays after she naps.
Making it Lovely
February 5, 2013 at 10:16 pmI wonder if August would just chill in his room if he had access. Eleanor is so different. We try to tell her “go play with your trains, go play with your toys” in an effort to get a little extra sleep in the morning sometimes… never works!
Hansa
February 5, 2013 at 10:43 pmHi! Love your blog! We have a vintage, actually made by my daughters great great grand father vintage toddler bed. It’s as wide as a twin bed but shorter. We then got a custom mattress made because no standard sized mattress would fit. Maybe a custom mattress for the fort area to make it easier to change the sheets? Hansa
Karin
February 5, 2013 at 10:47 pmWe have the DWR twilight sleeper sofa, and we split it apart and gave each child (6 and 2) one of the pieces (with waterproof covers) to sleep on so we could test out separate rooms, the idea of twin beds, etc. So Basically, each kid got a twin sized mattress— My 2 yr old (active) is very happy with his low ‘Montessori style’ platform bed on the floor. It doubles as a playspace, reading space, jumping space, and with no headboard or footboard it takes up very little room and I don’t worry about him rolling out. It’s a stopgap for sure, but a pretty good cheap one, and one which required no trip to ikea!. We bought a throw size quilt from Garnet Hill so he can make it himself and it looks nice when made.
megan
February 5, 2013 at 10:48 pmWhat about getting a piece of upholstery foam custom cut to fit the sunken area, and using that as a mattress instead of a standard twin? That way none of the edges would be under the lip. The downside is you couldn’t buy standard sheets, but fitted sheets are pretty easy to make, or you could just tuck the edges under and not worry about it. You could even use awesome vintage sheets. It seems to me the more floor space, the better in that little room.
Kat
February 6, 2013 at 12:48 amMegan, I love your idea! Another thought on your idea: Nicole, if you are concerned about “spiders/ creepy crawlers” why not box the sunken area in so that the gap and access under the floor is temporarily non-existent. I know that would minimize some of the space you use for current storage, but with the floor space you just gained from one less piece of furniture in the room, you can create a toy corner with easier access to your child’s treasures.
Nicoletta
February 5, 2013 at 11:41 pmWe have a similar problem in my 3yr old’s room, it just seems too small for a twin bed. I’m contemplating a loft bed for the future to leave more room for play, but until that time I just took the side off the crib and used it as a toddler bed. I don’t know if that’s an option on your crib, but it has worked well. I love the nook idea! Seems like a super fun secret hide out bed situation. Some glow in the dark stars… special light in there… love it.
Lucy
February 6, 2013 at 1:56 ammy son turned 10 on the weekend – another one saying honestly where did that time go! I feel so old – yet I do not feel old enough to have a child of that age!
My son went into a bed at 2 as he was climbing out of it, so we thought a bed would be less of a fall option! With a bed rail to prevent said falling out he never got out of the bed until I went into the room to say it was morning time! Perhaps August will be the same!
Emily
February 6, 2013 at 5:47 amI appreciate all the work that went into this post, but I have to say, my favourite part was the drawings of the spiders. They made me snort with laughter.
I like the daybed idea. Is the mattress on the day bed. As supportive as a standard bed. That would be my only concern.
The Lazy Fair
February 6, 2013 at 7:13 amJust moved our two year old into a big girl bed. The room is REALLY small and unfortunately, she has to share with her brother who is due at the end of June. We got the Brimnes daybed, which is great, but the only place for it was under the window. I was nervous too, but she can’t open it and honestly, doesn’t even notice that it’s there. It seems to me that eventually you’ll have to do a twin bed. That day bed you have doesn’t seem like a permanent solution.
mijk
February 6, 2013 at 7:34 amI would raise the mattress in the play area. Youve got storage space underneth you wont have to bend to deep for a night kiss and you’ve got yourself a traditional dutch bedstede! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box-bed. Here are some image links for traditional and comteporary inspiration!
E E Faris
February 6, 2013 at 9:13 amOne of the sad things that happens with little kids (like even at the age of 3 or 4) is being teased or feeling sensitive about having a “baby bed”. Like the Ikea junior bed. Because of that, but also because of the way little boys love to fling themselves about, I think your existing Lubi Daybed would be a great idea! Especially with boys, they outgrow anything too whimsical or childish like a rocket. One day overalls or a pom pom on the hat are okay, the next thing not. Just some ideas about longevity for the mother of two (now grown up) men.
SEM
February 6, 2013 at 9:14 amCan you box in that sunken area to be level with the floor? It would give you a bigger footprint and prevent the spider situation.
Ayanna
February 6, 2013 at 9:16 amWhat about building a simple platform attached to the wall? Build it in the same place where you positioned the day bed – then that way you don’t have to worry about the pillows following off the bed and getting wedged next to the wall. I imagine it looking more like a sleeping nook than anything standard and gives him a little hideaway.
Kelsey
February 6, 2013 at 9:33 amI vote twin bed….either in the nook or not. Once you move that dresser out of the way I think it will not feel so cramped.
Bonnie Morscher
February 6, 2013 at 9:56 amI like the toddler bed from Ikea. It’s not so very expensive and seems like it would be worth it even if only for two or three years. When darling August is four or five, other options will present themselves, believe me.
jenson
February 6, 2013 at 10:04 amyikes!! kids grow FAST. id think about getting a bigger house.
ines
February 6, 2013 at 10:51 amDAYBED! definetely. It{s the most simple reasonable, uffordable thing I can think of. And it worked ok when it was the guest room!
But I{ll wait a little longer so he won{t fall out of bed. Good luck!
Sasha
February 6, 2013 at 10:55 amMaybe go with the Ikea toddler bed for now, and switch to the Lubi daybed when he is older (aka after potty training is conquered).
lisa
February 6, 2013 at 11:00 amI would place a mattress in the open play area. Once you’ve chosen a mattress, I would frame it out so all openings are closed off, thus decreasing spider access to nil. As long as there’s enough room to tuck in blankets and not “lose” pillows or too many tiny toys into the openings, I think positioning the bed there would open up the rest of the room and let August feel like he has a real, open space to call his own.
Joellyn
February 6, 2013 at 11:10 amIs the platform covering something up? Can it be removed altogether? If not, I like the idea of building up the center and putting the mattress on top across the end. If I know boys, they LOVE a fort of any kind. And as someone else mentioned, potty training can be an issue. We had to replace my kids mattresses after their young years. Seems like an inexpensive toddler bed wouldn’t be such a bad investment.
Em
February 6, 2013 at 11:30 amWe have the IKEA Sundvik toddler bed for our 3 yr-old – and it’s perfect! We got it for $57 in the as-is section (big scratch on one side, we put that side against the wall). It’s narrower AND shorter than a regular twin, but I (5’2″) can still lie down in it. Also has built-in guard rails so he can’t fall out. Should last through elementary school, I hope.
Cait @ Hernando House
February 6, 2013 at 2:43 pmCould you relocate August to another room like you did Eleanor? It’s a little hard to tell from your house tour whether the office was once a bedroom, or if it could be used as a bedroom. (Do you have a floorplan, that might help with my confusion.) If your studio and your office are different rooms then maybe you could you combine them and use the office room for August? Or rather than combining them maybe you could just have a small desk in Brandon’s office.
Cait @ Hernando House
February 6, 2013 at 2:48 pmAlternatively, if the office is its own room, may you could downsize to a smaller office (August’s current room) so that he could have a larger bedroom?
Audrey
February 6, 2013 at 5:46 pmI see your dilemma. I vote for August to get a fort in the toy cubby ;)
kc
February 6, 2013 at 11:37 pmI think the idea of putting his bed into the play area is darling! I bet he would like the bed in that area, and having all of that extra space to play.
The idea I least like is having him sleep on that daybed. The poor boy needs a genuine bed. I think it would be uncomfortable and not very conducive to little boy lifestyles.
Lauren
February 7, 2013 at 7:42 amI agree with the idea to box in the extra space in the sunken area and use that space for a bed. Little boys LOVE that kind of thing (my son thinks its hilarious when there is a mattress on the floor!) Also you wouldn’t need to bother with bed guards as he couldn’t fall out of bed, ever.
Constance
February 7, 2013 at 8:22 amUm… I would have thought it was the *coolest thing EVER* to have had a matress or fort to sleep in on the floor in the cubby-play area. If the spider concern is a realistic one, you can always put some cottonballs soaked in orange oil along the walls in the “potential spider haven”. http://spiderrepellents.net/make-your-own-natural-repellent
Again – I would have LOVED that as a kid, and I bet you would make it beyond charming.
Speckled Blooms Curtains in My Office | Making it Lovely
February 7, 2013 at 11:22 am[…] in the white Orleans rug from the nursery (depending on what we end up doing to August’s room when we get rid of his crib), or I’ll pick up something white and fluffy for the […]
Lisa
February 7, 2013 at 12:42 pmI am with Constance – I would love to see a cozy bed in the play-area…
Kat
February 7, 2013 at 2:18 pmAfter reading thru the comments, I don’t believe anyone has mentioned this idea yet. Why not create a hinged ‘trap door’ in the open area within the nook and place a twin bed over it on the floor. You can then: maximize the storage space beneath the bed, use the nook space, not have to worry about creepy crawlers, have an easier time changing sheets, and purchase the twin bed that your son will grow into. For extra fun factor (and to distract him from the fact that he just lost his favourite play area), make some curtains out of fabric that mimics a tent so that his new bed can be closed off.
Honor Roll | Making it Lovely
February 8, 2013 at 5:13 pm[…] Marij requested a roundup of beds for boys. Voila: a roundup of beds for boys. […]
Nicole RJ
February 11, 2013 at 6:47 pmDo the kids spend much time playing in their rooms? If a single doesn’t fit and the dresser *has* to stay I would (personally) consider setting up a double bedroom in the bigger room for both kids and using the smaller room as a quiet/play room for them if need be. I shared a (large) room with my brother until I was 10 and don’t have any bad memories of it!