The study project is almost a wrap, and we’re itching to get another project going–something that’s a bit of a lighter lift and possibly more in our hands. So we referred to our 2023 project list, and we’re excited to get started on Faye’s room next!
Shop Faye’s Bedroom
We’ve spent some time in both Polly and Greta’s rooms, but Faye (who’s nine years old) has been patiently waiting for her turn. Her room has remained mostly untouched, aside from a new bed and rolling out a rug. Oh, and we installed new flooring throughout the house before moving in. Faye is my kid who’s most interested in design, so I’m going to lean into her childlike creative genius throughout this process as much as possible.
Here’s what the room looked like before moving in!
Before
The other day, Chris and I put our heads together and talked through the current layout of her room, which is a little awkward with the closet and window situation. When we do this brainstorming together, no idea is off the table. No idea is bad. We say every idea we’re thinking about and talk through the pros and cons to help us land on the best possible idea. Chris took measurements of the room and drew up three possible layouts that we’re considering.
With this option, we would keep the current closet and bed placement but downsize from a queen-size to a twin. This would allow us to put a small dresser along the smaller wall, which is a huge request from Faye. This isn’t my favorite option because although we would get more floor space to add a dresser and nightstands, the closet placement is still odd and cuts into the symmetry of the windows. I also don’t love the idea of going backward in bed size.
The second option is to move the closet over to the small wall and move the bed over to the window wall. Then we would have room for a dresser and maybe even some nightstands on either side of the bed. Moving the closet is going to make the windows more symmetrical, although there’s still a bit more wall space on that left side. But we can make it work! Pssst, we already moved the bed to this window wall, and we’re trying it out! The new closet would be standard depth, all trimmed out, and flush with the opening into the bathroom.
The third option we’re considering is to do something similar to the built-in wardrobes we did a couple of houses ago. When we lived in Rexburg, Greta and Faye shared a basement bunk room, and we built in some IKEA Pax wardrobes for them to use instead of closets. I think this would make a great solution in Faye’s room! I envision two wardrobes with a mirror or vanity in between, and since there was already more wall space to the left of the window, the window wall stays fairly symmetrical.
As of right now, nothing’s off the table! Does having a bed in front of the windows scare me? There were a lot of reasons why it didn’t work in our room, but I think it could be the most practical solution in Faye’s room! When I wrote the post, “Where does the bed even go?” here’s what I said about beds on window walls.
“Two rules of thumb that I’ve picked up in my under-window positioning and Pinning: 1. Choose a low-profile headboard or one with an open frame so you don’t obstruct the window too much. 2. Pull the bed out about nine inches from the window-wall to allow curtains to hang behind.”
As far as making design decisions for this room, all I know right now is that I’m really interested in doing some wallpaper along with some contrast-colored trim. I ordered 27 wallpaper samples and together with Faye, we’ll narrow them down. Here’s a peek at what I’m considering!
Sneak Peek of The Wallpaper Samples
So forgive me for asking but under option 1 does the bed *have* to be centered? Is it for symmetry or simply because you have two nightstands? If it’s because of the nightstands couldn’t you do away with one, push the (Queen) bed closer to the window, to where it’s about 12-18” from that (window) wall? Then on the left side of the bed (if you’re facing it), place the one nightstand? We’ve done this in a few bedrooms and it doesn’t look at all off to me personally. You could the keep the closet where it’s at, with the bed across from it, or swap the closet and dresser locations to where the dresser is just across from the bed.
Why not a bed facing a wardrobe wall with a desk at the window? Then no need for a dresser… could have the wardrobes on the current closet wall. Just more efficient :).
I like option 3 but with the bed facing the wardrobes. I think having the bed on the 14 1/2 wall gives more options for the other walls
I like the vanity Pax ‘closet’ option bc it also leaves her w/an in room writing / drawing area especially if she had a trinket light there (sooo cute❣️) but I’d also love to see that amazing chair next to her bed on the ‘closet’ side of the room for reading or friends visiting … Queen bed for sleep overs & guest options is good. My only bed caveat is no cloth materials as they are dust/mite etc collectors(😂) IMHO, allergy avoiding here ; tho YOU make everything work! Plus the symetry of this room works so nicely🙌🏼👏🏼👍🏼.
Faye Room will look great with the 3rd Plan, But instead of 2 wardrobes you can consider one on the side of the bed. In place of 2nd wardrobe you can add some sitting plan and a personal TV or wall hanging book shelves. Which will look great if you go with the contras of room interior. Its better if you take guidance of some professional interior designer or read my blog https://www.transeptia.com/own-interior-designer