Need ideas for bedroom space

[RBinTEX]

I need some ideas on how to arrange my kids sleeping and storage areas.

Right now, my 14 and 13 year old sons share a medium sized bedroom. That's perfect for them because it holds their things and their beds, although they hardly spend any time in it.

My soon to be 11 yo daughter has a slightly smaller room of her own. She spends quite a bit of time in there. It is her private santuary.

Well, we've got the surprise baby who will need a space of her own in a year or so. She sleeps with us for now, but her things are overtaking the house. She could bunk with her sister, but I hate to make my older daughter share her much beloved space. She's a quiet girl and needs a place to go in such a busy house.

I love my house and don't want to move. I hate to think of adding on because one day the older ones will be gone, and the "baby" will have her pick of bedrooms! Plus, I don't want to spend that much money. I have no basement and no attic space.


Option #1: I could create a small space for the little one's things by partitioning off my sitting area in the master bedroom. Her bed would have to go in big sister's room, but she could have a space of her own to keep her stuff and hang out during the day. Big sis would have to share her sleeping quarters, but would still "own" the room.

Option #2: Give up our office/homework room to make into a bedroom. I'd hate that. We use that room a lot! (I'm in it now!)

Option #3: Give me some ideas about how you've created kid space in your homes! Thanks!

[sabrinat]

If you don't want the girls to share. I think I'd give up the home office and start living in the living room. You sound like us, 4 kids in a 3 bedroom house. We won't be moving anytime soon. Right now the oldest has his own room and the 3 youngest share, although only 2 of them sleep in there.

[3_opihi]

I would use option #1 or #2. In my experience, the baby doesn't really need alot until they are more into their preschool/toddler years. But little babies, definitely don't need much at all!

If it were me, I would probably just buy a little changing table/dresser combo and stick it in the corner of my room. In fact, that's what I've done in the past.

Right now we are super crowded for space - me and dh, my mom and three kids crammed into a three bed townhouse. So my dd doesn't have a room of her own - not that she cares, she just turned two on Friday. But I've just made room in my closet for her clothes, and a little drawer in my dresser for her stuff. We keep all of her toys in with the boy's stuff. It forces me to have less stuff...but really it's just stuff anyways. No big deal. Eventually we are going to have to move and get a bigger place tho. Our house is teeeeeny. I feel like a sardine.

[KateKat]

I vote for option 2 or having the baby and big sis bunk together completely (the baby and all her stuff and big sis and all her stuff).

Option 1 sounds like it would be a pain. Also, it has the 2 your old not having a real space of her own until she is 8 (assuming the 12 year old son moves out at age 18 and frees up a room). It doesn't seem fair to sacrifice one daughter's comfort for the other's. The world will not end if the older daughter has to share a room or if there is no home office.

Personally, I'd have the girls share for a while and see how it works out. That would put out the least amount of people and I think sharing a room makes siblings closer and helps kids build better people skills.

[Penelope]

I'd turn the home office into a bedroom and move the computer/office supplies into a shared living area.

[dinade]

Id turn the home office into a bedroom as well. My 9 and 4 year old boys were sharing a room and we couldn't stand the torture. It started at teeth brushing or bath time and lasted until 30 minutes after being put to bed. Ugh we split them up again after 10 mos of sharing. It was torture for me to have them share and be so frustrated with them. I know not everyone runs into that but I'd definitely use the home office. LOL