apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Space-Saving Idea: Built-In Beds

101309-built-in-beds-1.jpgWe often tout bunkbeds as a small-space solution for a shared room, but what if your wall height doesn't allow for bunks? Built-ins are a great idea, as evidenced here. Being closer to the wall, they free up precious floor space, and the underbed storage can be used for everything from clothes to toys. (To get a better sense of just how effective this storage is, click through to see this room in action.)

 
 

101309-built-in-beds-2.jpgThis room belongs to two of Kristine Lempriere's three children. Kristine has her own children's clothing label, Townmouse, as well as running a blog, and her eye for design is evident in this room. Says Kristine:

The built in beds freed up the floor space for Lego play. The bookshelf between the two beds also gave a measure of privacy. One child can be reading with the light on, while the other can be sleeping. Built-in pigeon holes above the beds give them a place to store their treasures.

The drawers under the beds are wonderful storage. Three are used for clothing, and one is enough to provide a space for a quick cleanup – when you just want to scoop up every car, building block or action man on the floor and get it out of sight.

Having a well-designed bedroom that the children enjoy spending time in has been well worth the energy spent on getting it right. It means all the toys aren’t dragged into the family spaces and left lying around the living room.

Thanks for the inspiration, Kristine!

Photos: Kristine Lempriere

Tags

inspiration, shelving & storage, organizing, DIY, beds, built in

Share

Comments (5)

"Being closer to the wall, they free up precious floor space"

In what way are they closer to the wall then just pushing a single bed up against the wall?
I have a single bed in my daughters room with drawers in the divan bottom which is sideways on agaisnt the wall and does exactly the same job as this - no need for complicated carpentry work

posted by Violetsrose on October 14th 2009 at 7:00am
view Violetsrose's profile

Agree, not sure why this is space saving but I like the look.

posted by TheLittlestChicken on October 14th 2009 at 12:06pm
view TheLittlestChicken's profile

I'd love to find an affordable version of a nice bed with storage. But it seems so hard to come buy...

Anyone have good resources? I love this, but they don't ship to US
http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/Products/usd0/Furniture/Children%27s Furniture/8706/Micki children%27s bed

posted by Esmerelda on October 15th 2009 at 2:27pm
view Esmerelda's profile

oops... here's the link
http://tinyurl.com/yf6lzkn

posted by Esmerelda on October 15th 2009 at 2:28pm
view Esmerelda's profile

Not sure how the second photo demonstrates space saving. It just looks like a messy kids room to me.

posted by Juliescript on October 16th 2009 at 11:25am
view Juliescript's profile