November 21st 2015 - Space saving

There is so much on this blog about space saving in a shared bedroom, some of which I have already done.  My 2 older boys share the smaller of the 2 big rooms (I have the biggest).  They are always moaning that they have no space to do anything (they would have more IF they tidied it!)

Anyway we already have bunk beds in there and use the space under them as storage with plastic boxes - shoes, lego drawing/colouring stuff etc.  The bunk beds are in a corner of the room so not to waste any space.  However, I would prefer a straight ladder rather than the angled stick out one, I think we may have a play at some point and see if we can make its straight and fixed to the bed.

The wardrobe that they had in their was old and not very safe and the drawers were broken.  So we decided to dismantle it and move the clothes into the fixed cupboard in the wall, we did have to buy a new set of drawers to hold the clothes that don't hang like pjs, undies and jumpers.  We also kept the fabric hanging rack so that they had some shelving as well.  This has worked really well and reduced 1 item that needed to be in the room.

Next came the old computer table (still with computer on it) that hasn't been used in over a year by the eldest as he has a mobile phone and uses my laptop if he needs on the net for homework etc.  This has been removed from the room as well, again giving a little bit more space.  The younger ones computer is on his chest of drawers that hold his clothes so the drawers have a duel purpose, they are also tucked up in a corner out of the way.

The eldest son had a small square unit that he had when he had the small room on his own.  It had small plastic trays in the square shelves which he has random things in - deodrants n bits in one, mini figures in another, odds and ends in another and so on.  I wasn't sure where I was going to put this and then noticed that there was a spce at the end of the bed on the wall and it was as though it was made for the unit.  So he has still has his shelves and baskets of odds n ends and they are out of the way.

They both have a 6ft high bookcase, which houses their tv and books.  The younger of the 2 boys also had his games n bits on his bookcase and no room for more books.  So hubby went to argos and bought and upright shelf unit (bathroom storage one) and this is now stood beside the head of the beds with the games and all other toys n stuff off the floor. 

We are now pretty much sorted in their room and they had a big space down one side of the room.  Me and hubby said about getting them a sofa bed as it would help if family/friends come to stay as well as their friends.  Plus it would give them somewhere to sit and play rather than on their beds.  We have bought a 3-in-1 sofa bed thingy - it can be stacked as cubes, opened to make a sofa or laid flat as a bed.  I wouldn't say it will be great for daily use as a bed but for the odd night here and there it will be ok.  This hasn't arrived yet but i'm sure I will do a post about it when it does arrive.

The boys are happier about their space, not so happy that they still have to share (but unless I win the lottery I can't convert the loft or build an extension.)