Need help with saving a dead space!

11 years ago

As OCD as I am, and as much time as I spent looking at the floor plan, and despite doing countless back and forths with the architect, I missed something! I know. I'm shocked myself.

My daughter dream bedroom had to have window seats. So she got 2. What I didn't realize is how much square footage we are "losing" on either side of it. I knew that there would be some dead space. But I assumed (incorrectly) that it was not going to be so big.

We have 3 of those spaces. The builder went ahead, without talking to me first, and told the framers to open two of them up, for shelving. Cool idea on paper, but it will be one very deep shelving unit..... Not sure how it would work. It's about 23 inch or so deep before the sloped roof.

So far I thought of:

- book shelves (deeeeep ones?)

- "art gallery" nook (how to implement this?)

- desk?

Please help me out with ideas. My mind is going blank....

Featured Answer

Meris

11 years ago

I'm such a huge believer in saving the space and adding what to do with it later. Can he just Sheetrock it to how far back you want it, and treat it like the rest of the room?

you might want to put some toys in those nooks now created, or a reading nook with a soft chair and a lamp. Bookshelves you can always add.

I was thinking of that for the 2 on the ends. The one in between the seats, I'm thinking of a small door on each side and a "secret clubhouse".

At least you are catching it now, sometimes these things don't show until we see them in full 3D live action.

good luck!

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Comments (13)

User
11 years ago
Drawers below for storage that are the same depth as the window seats, which I hope are drawers as well. Then stepped back shelves that are not as deep, similar to many display case or hutch looks.
houserookie
Original Author
11 years ago
Below the window seats will be open for books. Interesting idea about thinking of it as a "hutch".
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aa62579
11 years ago
How old is your daughter? Maybe a makeup space that could also work as a desk? Hang a mirror on the back and install some lighting.
houserookie
Original Author
11 years ago
She is 7 going on 17. ;)
aec2013
11 years ago
I vote for drawers for storage on one side and a desk on the other.
houserookie thanked aec2013
houserookie
Original Author
11 years ago
Great ideas. Here is a sketch. A makep table on the left and a reading nook on the right. And a secret hideaway in the center. What do you guys think?

Inspiration picture for reading nook:
tcufrog
11 years ago
If she's young you could make one a temporary theater using fabric on a tension rod and then use it for something else later.
houserookie thanked tcufrog
Meris
11 years ago
Looks great!! A win no matter what!
houserookie thanked Meris
aec2013
11 years ago
I think your ideas look great, and I like your inspiration picture too. I think your daughter will love having these specialized spaces, and depending on how you set up that secret room it might be able to serve as a safe room of sorts in the unlikely event that it would be needed (home intruder, etc.)
houserookie thanked aec2013
houserookie
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm so glad you guys liked it! I had a brief "freak out" moment yesterday when I saw the space open like that. I feel much better now that we have a plan in place!
autumn.4
11 years ago
I love the reading nook and I want one for ME! Kids love tucked away spaces like that young and old. Nice job!
houserookie thanked autumn.4
houserookie
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Autumn – that's what I said yesterday, I want that room for myself!

Somebody at work today gave me the idea to paint the inside walls in her hiding place with chalk paint. I was wondering if chalk paint comes in different colors, like a nice pink, or yellow.