apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How about a trundle bed with storage underneath? This could tuck into the 7'3" wall. Then you could buy or build a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit for the 6'1" wall that would include drawers for clothing and open shelves for books. I've seen something like this before at Ikea, though I'm sure there are great models at places like Design Public, etc. And then in the little alcove to the left of the doorway, you could put a desk and artwork up above. Since all of those furnishings will likely be pretty boxy, you could balance it out with a round, cushy rug in the center for a play area, and some easily accessible baskets along the floor of the 4'6" wall for housing toys.

This option is a little pricey, but maybe you could have something built that is similar.
http://www.flyingbeds.com/14.SmartBeds/Tale-ComputerBed.htm
I think it would just fit along the 7'3" wall, leaving you room for a comfy chair and some toy/book shelves on the opposite side of the room. I grew up in a tiny room like this, and remember my friends thinking my little space was really cool!

the shape of the room is really cute. you could do a twin mattress with drawers under on the long wall like a couch, maybe build a frame that has 6" arms on either side that have slots to hold books, a cup of water, or you could push the mattress up against the wall opposite the door and do a 12" wide bookcase that goes up to the ceiling on the opposite wall. then on the back wall above on either side do a cute sconce with an oversized picture/school map in the middle (securely attached to the wall of course). also you could get/build a wheeled table that can be pulled across the bed so he can use it as a desk and push it to the side when he's sleeping. does he need a lot of closet space? the space to the left of the door is a great opportunity to do an elfa-style closet system up high and have toys stored below, or even a little "play fortress". also lighting will go a long way, a cute pendant lamp on a dimmer. i'd love to see what you end up doing!
j
http://prudentadviceformybabydaughter.blogspot.com

What about putting and Expedit or custom book shelf as a headboard for a bed on the 5 foot wall, behind the door? Then use a platform bed that either lifts up for storage or has drawers underneath.

Evaluate whether you need the wardrobe. Does an 8 year old need hanging storage? If not, then get a good desk/credenza/dresser for storage of clothes and more. Will your existing dresser do this? Can you get a matching one and fit it in?

And don't forget to ask your son how he wants to use the room? Maybe he doesn't even want/need the desk? maybe he would prefer loads of storage for toys/books? Maybe he's an 8 year old minimalist?

And I love the idea of a built-in - or built-in looking desk with shelves on the 4'10" wall. A personal area with display and storage.

I lived in a room smaller than this when I was in college, and I think the key is to NOT overload it with furniture, especially tall furniture, and just go with the bare minimum. It's more important to have SPACE in a room where you're going to spend a lot of time, like kids do in their bedrooms (or I did in a shared house). Instead of a large dedicated desk, I used a large wooden tv tray or a lap desk to do my homework while sitting on my bed. I would put the bed along the 7'3" wall, and probably just a normal bed, or maybe one that had drawers but not very tall. A custom shelving/storage solution for clothes, books, and toys could go in the alcove to the left, and I'd probably leave the wall with the window pretty empty, or either put a chair or some low storage like a trunk or small bookcase there. As he gets older he won't need as much storage but space to sprawl and lounge will be appreciated.

Wow, SO many fantastic ideas - thank you - keep 'em coming if anyone else has suggestions.

I like the comment about NOT overloading with furniture - I think thats exactly right.

He really needs a desk - his favourite thing to do is play with plasticene... he makes these crazy villages all over his desk - so its not an option to go without.

Aside from a desk, he needs a bed (!) a place for clothes, and storage for everything else an 8 year old boy accumulates.

I am going to document the transition and will for sure share it.

The room is quite small but can be a great opportunity to create a warm niche for your little guy. I was bored today and felt it was easier to sketch my ideas than to write a huge paragraph. I think you were on the right path thinking of custom built furniture, maybe with trim and keeping it simple in white..will create a built in and less cluttered look that may happen with furniture pieces. Good luck with the project and hope everyone's comments help!
here the sketch link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41177215@N07/3793190942/sizes/o/in/set-72157621955706150/

oh and by the way those are really rough and quick sketches....:) not my best at all..

I got loft beds with storage space/drawers underneath them for my kids. But they haven't been great. Firstly I can't want to clamber up and read stories with them. We have to do bedtime stories and then clamber into bed! And they dominate the room. Even taking the drawers underneath them out and turning them into "camp sites" didn't soften the blow. I won't get loft beds again, right now I am thinking closer to the ground and open storage shelves.

Europeans tend to have tiny rooms, and great ideas -- check out this Italian kid's furniture manufacturer. LOTS of great ideas!

Especially love the low bed on wheels (4003), as well as the desk at the end of the bed in 4005, or the folding desk(!) in 3002! Oh, check out the system in 3001 (this stuff just gets better and better!)

http://www.dearkids.it/english/pages/prodotti.html

good luck!

"He really needs a desk - his favourite thing to do is play with plasticene... he makes these crazy villages all over his desk - so its not an option to go without."

Was it here, or on HGTV, where I saw a great desk attached with hinges to the wall that's a table when it's down, but snaps into a latch when it's not in use? (Like an old ironing board, kinda.) It must have been on TV because I remember the demo showing a little leg that unfolded to make the table leg. . .

Good luck!

- Mere

P.S.
I think this is the only other time I have seen the word "plasticene" in use, outside of the lyrics to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds!"
:D

Here's a tutorial on making a fold-away desk. It is not from the show I saw, but if you are interested, it doesn't look too complicated.

My friend had a room similar to this (a little bigger, but shared). She had a built-in loft (attached to the walls and ceiling plus a fold out desk under the bed. The area under the bed was a carpeted/pillowed/bean bag space, so the desk was the right height for sitting on the floor rather than at a chair. She kept her room like this through high school...so I think it worked well enough.

(Her sister had a bed built under the stairs)

A low platform bed on the 6'1" wall seems logical to me...