Siblings Sharing Spaces- Solutions for Every Bedtime!
Making the most of every single Inch
- There are two ways to do this-- fancy furniture and cheaper DIY. These names are rough categories for two types of solutions. No matter your budget, you can get ideas from any section and shake it up to make the tricks work for you.
Small tricks
- Small flat under-bed boxes can store a lot. Bulky sweaters, extra linen, art supplies, toys, and other items where easy access needs to meet smart storage are all good options. Boxes are available in a range of sizes, types, colours and prices. We recommend large boxes that are easy to reach and pull out.
- Dust ruffles can help camouflage boxes. Alternatively, you could line them with wrapping paper for a colorful touch.
- Some beds can be jacked up a few inches on wooden blocks for more storage.
- Boxes can also be tucked under all furniture with gaps between the bottom and the floor. This has the added bonus of giving less floor area for dust.
- Hooks can be hung on the inside of the closet door. Small flat items, such as towels, or tomorrow's outfit, often have space to lodge between the door and the rest of the closet.
- Instead of bulky chairs or beanbags, large floor pillows or folding club chairs can be just as comfortable. Furniture that folds, stacks, or even deflates can quickly clear the floor for a sleepover, hockey match, or spontaneous ballet recital.
- Too much closet and not enough floor space? Take the doors off a closet and tuck a small desk inside. Looks neat and works every time.
- A real trundle with wheels that pops up and doesn't collapse on the first using can be pricy. But some children are perfectly ok with sleeping on a mattress on the floor, especially if it's firm enough. The mattress can be slid under the bed, folded up against the wall, or just moved into a corner. Sleeping bags make great duvets without dragging on the floor!
High tech (Do's and Don'ts)
- These days, there are a huge range of clever furniture options out there, from simple loft beds to all in one blocks.
- Bunk beds are great, but have a narrow age range. The child must be old enough to climb in and out of bed even in the middle of the night, but short enough not to bump their head on the bunk above or the ceiling. So unless you're buying for the oldest two of six, you might want to examine some other options
- Low loft beds, with a platform bed or a mattress underneath. This gives a bit more headroom for both beds. Look for a loft bed that reaches about halfway between the ceiling and the floor for maximum adaptability.
- Daybeds are a longer lasting option. Get a tall bed with drawers underneath. If you place two end to end with a cupboard or a bookcase in between, you can get what looks like a built-in and offers privacy. Put shelves above the bed for even more storage.
- If you have a little more floor space, a trundle can be good. Roll it out by night and stash it under by day to free up the floor.
- Check our products page for fancy all in one solutions.
Some overlooked magic tricks are:
- Desks that fold down from the wall. Keep a small table nearby to stash papers in between work sessions
- Wall mounted lamps help free up desk space.
© Space Sharing Solutions 2015