I am halting Touring Tuesdays for two weeks. If you hadn't noticed, my boys' bedroom was not very popular. I like it, my boys like, it, but most of you all don't. I decided it might be fun to have a little contest.
I've been wanting to redecorate the boys room in a transportation theme (cars, trains, planes) for a while now, but the blog has sucked up most of my creativity. I like redecorating and am open to new ideas, so I'm going to let you redesign my boys' room.
I am setting a $50 budget for the redesign. I'm thinking most of what I get will be from Craigslist or homemade, so how you use the budget will mostly be guesswork. You can look at online retailers, though, and see if there is anything there I might be interested in. I am decently handy with a needle, paintbrush, and a hammer, so I if you have some neat furniture or artwork ideas, submit them and I'll see what I can do.
The room is 6'x8'. The crib that is currently in there is 30"x56", but I'm strongly leaning towards scrapping it for an alternative, mattress-free sleeping arrangement, something like this, or this, or this. The window, which is behind the blue wall of rugs, must be able to be opened, so there can't be shelves in front of it, but there could be a futon or something. It has rugs over it because 1) the window is a little drafty and 2) the view is into the hallway.
What needs to be in the room?
- A place to sleep
- A place for toys
- A place for clothes
- There are two little boys sleeping in there now. A baby will soon be added, but we have a pac-n-play that we could set up in our bedroom until he is ready to graduate to a big-boy bed.
- The toy collection expands and contracts. People give us stuff and we give stuff away. Nothing is set in stone, so the arrangement needs to be flexible. Also, I have found a potential spot for the largest toys, currently on the wall, in our bedroom.
You can either draw out your idea and email it to me me, or you can send me a written description, with product links if you want. Officials entires must be sent via email (under1000permonth@
Please, if you have an idea, make a submission. You might be the only one who submits anything and then you'll win!
UPDATED TO ADD: I am not allowed to paint the walls.
You might want to check out my new comment policy .
Copyright Under $1000 Per Month, 2009-2010
219 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 219 of 219I'm a little late getting to this post! :) My suggestion is this: At Walmart, you can get cheap containers that will hold a good amount of toys. I would suggest these for clothes as well, if you haven't a dresser. I'm not sure what the entire cost is, but these are wonderful for space! You can also get stickers, or using extra felt/other fabric, and use those to decorate. You did a beautiful job with the horses!
Emily even old mattresses can be wraped using bebesafe. There's no reason to completely abandon mattresses.
OK, let me just start by saying that Emily did not ask for everyones help in changing the sleeping arrangement – she asked solely for help re-designing the boys room (not moving them to a different room!). I think that it is an exciting challenge and it is inspiring me to re-work some of the rooms in my home. We also have a small home (not quite as small as yours Emily, but still small). Those of you complaining about how much money Emily is offereing for your ideas are so full of yourself. If you don’t have time then don’t do it – shame on you for your attitude towards her. There is no need to make snide comments about the gift card that she is offering for a little help with ideas.
Another thought about the switching rooms idea. My parent always had the large bedroom. We played in the living room and their room. Our parent’s room was like the family room. We read together, played games and did all other family things in there. I loved that my parent’s room was so comfortable for us. I do the same thing in my own home. My daughter loves coming into Mommy and Daddy’s room to play. I also think that you are starting a tradition that your children (even when teens) will not hole up in their own rooms and disappear!
My best idea so far is to let all these “well meaning” women who have offered to buy you mattresses, so just that. If they all pitched then you could buy a nice trundle bed for the boys!! And by the way Gizmola – her boys aren’t pregnant so that’s a funny argument for them to get a mattress!
I find it reasonable that you have a budget. That said, my idea will be emailed to you.
I did some research on my idea of getting some sort of murphy bed contraption -- here is a great site that has murphy beds but with bunk beds - during the day the beds are locked into a cabinet against the wall, and the can be taken out and used as beds at night.
http://www.resourcefurniture.com/space_savers/lollipop1.php
They also have murphy beds that have a desk attached, so when the beds are locked away a desk pops out -- a great idea because your kids will need a desk space as they get older for school work.
Obviously you are not buying one of these systems, but perhaps you know someone handy with tools? The website has a lot of great ideas to maximize space. I imagine that you will have a great time looking at the space saving ideas on this site. The pasted link takes you directly to a muphy bunk bed but there are many other ideas on there.
I would build a loft bed that is off the floor that is the length of the room. You could use the nap-a-pedic mats that you posted the links to.
I know height is your first concert with bunks or lofts, but I would make it as high as comfortable with a small ladder to get up to the bed (maybe 3 feet off the floor). A railing built all the way around the bed would stop falls. This way, you could put a LOT of bins or shelving underneath for storage. Both boys could sleep at opposite ends of the mattress.
Your only expenses would be the mattress, the lumber for the loft, and hardware to put it together.
My son has one that is very tall (he is 10, though) that we were able to put his desk under it. His room is only 5x8, I think. By raising the bed off the floor, we gave him 5x8 floor space and he feels like he actually has his own space, now.
Wow...ok I had no idea from the pictures you took that the boys room was so tiny! It's basically a large walk-in closet. What I would do, in that case, is what a lot of people have already suggested...let the 3 boys have the larger room and you and your husband take the closet. (That's if your bed could fit in there with some room to spare to move around.) If not, I'd consider the futon or air mattress in the living room idea. Or, worst case, just plan on keeping the youngest child and any more children you have in the big bedroom with you until you move into a different home.
There was actually a period of over a year where I lived, as an adult, in a walk-in closet smaller than your boys room. All my belongings were kept in there on the top shelf and in a narrow shelf on the floor. My clothes hung from the rod and I slept on a twin-size air mattress. It sounds like a funny story now when I tell it to people, but the truth is, it wasn't a bad situation at all. Nothing I would do again by choice, mind you...but it was comfortable and at times, even cozy.
Nowadays I have my own apartment, but guess what? I still sleep on an air mattress. :p I have one of the nicer full-size ones now, it's about a foot and a half off the floor unlike the smaller flat ones. I could afford a regular bed at this point, but I've found through experiementing that I just prefer the air mattress. I started getting some morning back pain/stiffness when I turned 25, and the air mattress has cured this. Plus, unlike regular mattresses it doesn't sag in the middle or absorb odors or spills...I don't have to worry about bedbugs or dust mites, etc., etc.
So I'm definitely a big fan of air mattresses and I think it'd be the best idea (of the 3 links you gave) for your two boys to sleep on. I would recommend not getting the cheapest one you can find. In my experience, quality really counts in an air mattress. The more expensive ones have a flatter, quilted top pattern and are more sturdy, and tend to last longer. Also they tend to be higher off the floor, which makes them thicker and MUCH more comfortable than the thinner air mattresses which are just a few inches off the floor. Also, when I say "more expensive", that's just relatively speaking: the nice ones are still just anywhere from $20-$40, which isn't expensive at all for a nice bed.(Remember, this is the voice of a LOT of experience when it comes to air mattresses. I don't know anyone who's had more of them or who appreciates them as much as I do. ;))
One more thing, if you get the boys an air mattress make sure they understand that there's a "no jumping on the bed!" rule that comes along with it! That's the quickest way to break a good air mattress.
I haven't read all the posts so forgive me if this has been said.
I would suggest you don't buy your children the nap matts to sleep on. My husband and I took turns sleeping on a nap matt after our daughter was born (we co-slept, but only one of us slept in the bed with her at a time), and within a month the foam gave out. We both suffered from horrible back pain from those matts, and after a few more months they molded. Both of us preferred the floor to them.
Second, I would suggest investing in a good mattress. Time and time again I have read and been told how important it is to buy or make furniture that will stand the test of time. Buying a good mattress = maybe 10 years or more...buying a cheap alternative may only last a few months, and therefore just be a waste of money. Also if you do buy a mattress you can move it to your new location..so it would be a permanent (not temporary) solution.
As a way to save space you could build a bedfame that folds into/against the walls like on a cruise ship. That way during the day you can put the beds up, and at night the toys could be stored under them. Plus, they could be built as close to the ground as you'd like.
Lastly, while alot of the comments posted may sound like snark,I really do believe it is honest to goodness concern for your children. As a mother I would give my arm, leg, life...bed for my daughter. There are many places in the world where children and adults are forced to sleep and live in undesirable conditions...this is because of poverty and a lack of alternatives. These are place where life expectancy is low. It seems you are fortunate enough to provide adequate sleeping arraignments for you children..its just the right thing to do.
I have not read through the comments (should have been in bed an hour ago, but your blog has me addicted), but I strongly advise against the mats and the fold-out couch. I do suggest, however, making your own little mats. They could be small but fluffier than the mats you have links up to. I used to work at a daycare and the mats (especially the roll-out ones) are NOT comfortable. The fold out mat, as well as the couch, both lose shape quickly - I've had experience with both. :)
I like the trundle bed that you have in there now, though I don't condone kids sleeping under a crib. ;) I do think that the trundle is a good idea and saves space.
I haven't visited all of your blog yet but I'm wondering: do you plan on moving to a bigger apartment/house soon? I know that here in Missouri there are laws and stuff on how small your place can be, or how many people can live in a certain number of bedrooms. Actually, in our city/county (not sure which?) it's 4 people to a 2 bedroom, no more than that though. We have 5 people in a 2 bedroom but it's big, so SHHHH.
Oh and on a side note, I enjoy your black and white layout. It gives my eyes (and brain) a much-needed rest.
sadie@ nelliebugs-swaps
Emily,
My suggestion is something my mother did for my sisters when they were small. Take a full sized mattress and put it up against the wall so that the side of the bed is against the wall. My mom made a "headboard" by making a thin pillow the length of the bed and about 2 feet wide and framing it.
You could also just use pillows and bolsters that you could make yourself and make it look like a daybed. If you think about it, babies are short so having them sleep sideways on the full sized mattress is like an adult having a king sized bed.
As far as the toys go I would definately get rid of many of them. Along one wall you could put a "mirror" one of the ones not made of glass that are kid friendly and you can paint half of it with chalkboard paint and that gives them a creative outlet. You could also move the shelves down to their level and use the milk crates you have or thrift store baskets to organize what you decide to keep.
One thing I learned from my mother is that a lack of money doesn't make you poor and it also doesn't mean you shouldn't have a pretty home.
Home should be your sanctuary and I just think with a little open mindedness you could make a sanctuary for your boys and not take an easy way out by using a mat.
I just want to hopefully lead by example here in telling you this. I am 8 months pregnant. My son recently puked all over his bed, my husband had to be up at the crack of dawn for work, and we have one sofa. His bed was wet and couldn't be slept in. Who do you think took the sofa and who do you think took the floor?
His big pregnant momma took the floor with a sleeping bad because he is my baby and I would rather see him on the comfy soft sofa than on a pallet in the floor.
Honey I think you are a good mother and I think that you are trying your very, very best to do the absolute best for your babies. That much is obvious. But there are some of us here who have genuine concern for you and your family even though we dont' know you, and some of us have been mommies years longer than you.
Don't automatically shut our advice out especially when you advertised for it, ok?
I have a genuine desire to help you figure out a way to make this room a bright, cheerful haven for your kids and so do many of the other posters. Give some ideas some thought before you get angry and decide they are junk. And please don't put those babies on a mat unless you are going to ALL sleep on a mat.
April
Hi Emily,
Here are some ideas:
In my boys room we used a hanging shoe rack (cubby style) on the back of the door for clothes http://www.organizeit.com/po10shoe.asp?rtnFile=hangshoebag&rtnDisplay=Hanging+Shoe+Organizers..
each cubby can hold 7 to 8 pairs of pants/shirts. It works well. And, have you considered buying one of those memory foam mattress toppers? THey are about $30 at the department store here.. they could be cut into 3 pieces and placed on top of a sleep mat. Secured with a sheet they would provide a little extra support. Also, I got some cute decals for my boys room- animal themed. I browse the end caps at TArget, and found them for $6.98... my boys love them. Here are some similar.http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Safari-Rainforest-Medium-Wall-Stickers-Decals-Decor_W0QQitemZ230438686271QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a7374e3f#ht_2008wt_1167
thanks!
Julie
What are the dimensions of the hanging shelf you made?
Our Family Is His-- don't worry, you didn't waste your time. I enjoyed the walkslowlylivewildly link you posted very much. And I agree-- advice is advice, help is help. Period. Little children deal in arbritrary rules, not grown adults. :)
Hi there!
I'm so glad you opened up your home to this contest! I'm emailing you to give you my ideas and will also post this in the comments so that others may hopefully improve on them. My proposal is for over $50 but I've listed them in order of importance, so you can always cut out the ones after $50 if you like. I would not want any money- so I applied the $25 gift card as well as an extra
I've attached your pic with some extras- which hopefully is close to right.
My main idea is to use the existing, and even more milk crates as a frame for a twin size bed. The crates can be tied together with zip ties, and as long as they are connected on all sides they should be very sturdy:
free mattress: http://maine.craigslist.org/zip/1604367146.html
inspiration pic: http://thescope.ca/photos/mar2609/diymilkcrates.jpg
FREE
the crates can still be used for clothing storage as now.
I would like to get rid of the little stool or chair on the existing bookshelf and put the little dollhouse on top. I would get rid of the keyboard altogether and hang the clock a little higher on the wall so that it can't be grabbed.
I like the hanging shelves and would keep them- but I think that you should trim them to fit in the space between the wall and the "tree" I would get rid of the tree- but you don't necessarily have to. If you have to cut the shelves in half to accommodate the space you could even add a few extra shelves hanging it lower on the wall. I would secure each shelf to the wall separately, but would leave the fabric to give the illusion of hanging- and cause I think it looks kinda nice. You would have to get rid of the loops at the bottom, though, for safety reasons with the little ones especially if you add extra shelves so it's lower.
In order to make the mattress safe, I would recommend a mattress wrap (in addition to a careful inspection of any used mattress-especially in the corners)
http://www.offgassing-mattress-wraps.com/mattress-wraps.htm
$28
Instead of the rugs in the windows I would use decals to let in light and preserve privacy- You may need to caulk the windows, but I'm not including that in my estimate as that is a general home repair that should be done regardless
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stick-On-Stained-Glass-Window-Film-Tint-Mosaic-SALE_W0QQitemZ370324276567QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56390c0557
$5
I would get a set of cheap ikea bed linnens- you can often find them in bright primary colors- and use an existing comforter
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20142739
$4
I would dress things up with a fun (albeit small) rug for playing with toy cars
http://www.opentip.com/Home-Garden/Country-Fun-Rug-p-1293798.html
$14
And some wall decals over the bed- I think they kind of look like bright wheels
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260492425409&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=f80802c41250a026824165c1fff9a8df&itemid=260492425409&ff4=263602_263622
$14
Finally, I would buy a toy organizer- this one isn't cheap, but it will work well. Any toys that do not fit in the organizer or the shelves should be stored on the (like the trike) or be sold with the proceeds going to the room renovation.
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_011W487613110001P?vName=For+the+Home&psid=FROOGLE&sName=Kids&cName=Storage&sid=KDx20070926x00003a
$40
total without toy storage $65
with toy storage $105
I do hope that you get a twin mattress for the boys to share. I think a real mattress would be the best option for those little guys. I think a trundle bed would be awesome- but until you get to that point I think the milk crates will be a good intermediate stage, giving you storage and getting the mattresses off the ground. Thanks
Vanessa
First off, I tried your tortilla recipe, and they were pretty good. A little too much work for me, but tasty. Anyway, regarding the mold issue in mattresses. Mattresses get moldy when they are damp/wet. I think the idea some of the previous posters mentioned about protective covers may work. If they stay dry, mold shouldn't be a problem. This is probably outside of the $50 budget, but I have a mattress for my son's crib that is made out of organic cotton and other organic materials. It's hypoallergenic. I got mine at Costco, but they are available all over.
Cris, they are 30" high (with the bottom one cut off for now), 32" long, 10.5" deep.
This may be a little late, but these kinder cots might work great, they stack and are mesh (for easy cleaning while potty training) and keep the little ones off the floor. Just an idea: http://www.bizchair.com/kc-6-kin.html?utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_medium=Comparison&utm_source=google.com&utm_term=KinderCot%206%20[KC-6-FS-KIN]&CAWELAID=64834780
I haven't read thru the comments and I don't care to enter a contest. I am a big believer in spending more up front for better value. Instead of spendign $40 on one of the options you listed that will msot defiently need to be replaced sooner then later due to wear or your children growing I would suggest putting mayeb 2 or 3 times that amount up front and investing in something that you will be able to use long term. Perhaps a single or doubel mattress that will easily fit 2 or 3 little boys. When we were young my momw as very poor and us three little girls happily shared a bed. I realize your concern re: chemicals and mold but I dont' believe that foams options will eliminate that.
Agreed with the commenter above: real frugality spends wisely with an eye on the future. If you are hoping for a large family, start investing in items and objects that will last. I've been reading your blog all weekend (first time visitor) In your current situation, I would say to get a couple of the daycare mats. They will be easy to keep clean and can slide under your master bed. I would put some rubber pants on your older son to help with the accidents at night (no shame in that and it would save loads of cleanup.) Yes, I also agree with the majority that the boy's current room is not a room so much as a storage place. Agreed you need to par down your possesions. Move the stuff out of your bedroom and into the boy's room and move the boys in with you that way all the things of value will be in the same place.]
If you've never heard of Fly Lady, I urge you to check her out, she might be just what would help you live best in your small space.
More power to you girl for being a free spirit and for wanting good things for your family in the future but don't forget to live in the present too.
As an aside, my husband and I have been married 20 years now and I have always been a stay at home mom. We have never had debt and our secret has been this: the money I earned always went to savings. Our standard of living what based on what my husband earned. However, that savings could fund one time important purchases such as needed furnature, car repair, etc. The majority was saved for a down payment on a house(800 sq feet for the first.)
I hope you are able to create the life you want both now and for the future. Thanks for an interesting read!
You go girl! I appreciate reading your creative ideas and thinking outside the box to meet the needs of your family. Keep smiling!
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