No question...In front of windows..it will look beautiful and be very functional!

Hi CLC..hope all is well:))

I like your first option best. It seems to have the clearest access to the closet.

In front of the windows? Really? I would have never thought to put it there, lol. I guess I need to think outside my comfort zone. ;-)

I am definitely intrigued, and I do really like how much room space it would give. So how would that work with drapes? Do you just allow enough room behind the headboard?

My biggest concern with that placement is the invitation/easy access for my 4 year old to reach the middle (operational areas) of the double hung windows. There will be a window lock for sure, but it still makes me feel uneasy knowing she could easily stand on the bed and fiddle with the windows.

CLC had two kids under the age of 4 and had my bed in front of windows the entire time they grew up...you pull the bed out enough for drapery to hang nice behind the bed...their little arms will not be able to reach over a headboard and past the space between the headboard and windows and be able to get to window locks....and I am thinking you always have your eyes on your 4 year old....the results is very pretty flank the bed with nightstands and lamps you will love seeing it straight on when walking in the room!!

Hey CLC. I'm in favor of option 2. Although the bed in front of the windows is attractive to view, as others have suggested, I personally would not like to have a window behind me while in bed. I myself would feel exposed in that case. I agree with your other reasoning of Option 2 feeling "private" as well. It also affords room in the corner for a night stand or small chest and leaves space for that desk at the bottom left corner against the stairway wall.

Good point HIWE! You are right -- it won't be up against the wall close enough for her little arms to reach the windows, anyway. She will also basically use the room for sleeping until she is older and chooses to stop being my shadow all the time, haha. The windows are not even something I can picture her being at all interested in or curious about, either. She is a rule follower and isn't impulsive, but my mind tends to instantly go to the worst case scenario nevertheless. ;-)

We aren't even moved in yet, but I am excited to at least try it in front of the windows first!

For Vistas ID and HIWE (both of you jumped to suggesting the window location) -- Will it look ok for the nightstands to also be in front of the windows and drapes? The bed frame is 57" wide and the windows are 82" wide, which leaves about 12" of window on each side of the headboard. The night stands will likely be about 18" wide. So when open, the drapes will kind of be resting behind and to the outside of the nightstands rather than the bed. A lot of the examples I am seeing have the drapes a little bit behind the bedframe and on the "inside" side of the nightstands when the drapes are open. Does all of that even make sense? I could pull the drapes further in (when open) to rest behind the corners of the bed frame, but I would rather maximize the light from the window.

I guess I might just need to resurface this thread this summer when we are actually moved in and I can play with everything and post pictures. I love to plan, though. Thank you for the ideas to get me started!

@Bill - it is interesting you mention that, because I do recall feeling uncomfortable sleeping in front of the window when I was a young teen. I watched too many horror movies, I think. ;-)

Putting anything in front of a window pushes me outside my comfort box (I typically like all the natural light I can get, and don't want to potentially block it), but I am intrigued by the idea.

If you decide to put the bed in front of the window, I would get matching nightstands or skip the nightstands entirely.

I like option 4. in front of the window in your situation it is the best choice. just make sure you have a headboard so that pillows stay where they are supposed to and allow for fully functioning curtains. I prefer blinds or sheers for privacy with blackout curtains for better sleep. a desk or chair could be placed on the wall that backs up the other walk-in closet.

option 1. con - walking into the bed when you enter the room. bad feng shui not being able to see the door until some one actually enters the room.

option 2. con- the least safe option. being too close to the door. bad feng shui not being able to see the door until some one actually enters the room.

option 3. con - this would have been my first choice if the closet allowed for end tables both side of the bed. and the bed could be centered. as it is the wall is too narrow a space to do that. she may be too young now but a place too have a lamp, a place to put reading material and glasses is a must when she gets older.

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I hate

the ..in front of windows look ...it cuts down the light !

I'd choose Option #2. I think waking up and SEEING out the window is preferable to having the windows at your back. It also balances the room better. If you put the bed in front of the window you have a blank wall opposite, and you'll be back here on the Design Dilemma page asking "What do I do with this blank wall?"

Option #1 is not functional or aesthetically pleasing. You walk right into the side of the bed upon entering the room. Option #3 is too close to the wall.

Regarding not having a night stand--at 4 years old your daughter may not need one. But as she grows she may want to read in bed and need a lamp, or have a glass of water nearby, or need a place to store all the little tchotchkes that little girls seem to accumulate!

Good luck with your move and enjoy your new home!

my home has lots of windows with good light. the first thing I do in the morning is pull back the drapes and let the light in and make the bed. the bed doesn't block light if your have a headboard shorter than the bottom of the window (or close). when installing curtains make sure they stack outside the window opening to allow all the natural light possible in the room. as I posted earlier, I prefer option 3 if you have room for end tables, it is the way my own room is set up because I like the windows to the side also. but I have a blank wall with that option, no doors or windows. but since you do I suggested option 4. because your daughter is so young and at this point doesn't need one, choose 3 if you like it best. sometimes moving the furniture around is the best solution to really know what you like the best. my mothers guest room was set up like option 2 for years and I never really felt comfortable in that room even though I shared it with my sister when I was young. we had bunk beds set up against the wall as in option 3 then. I moved the furniture around one sleepless night to the wall opposite the door as in option 4 and instantly felt safer. her option 3 wall was too narrow to have it there with the other furniture she has in the room. my mother and every other guest loved that change. the room felt larger looking at the bed in front of you not right there at your side when you came in the room.

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Thank you for the thoughtful replies.....gives me plenty of food for thought! I appreciate the helpful visuals, er612.

I have ruled out option 1, and I am pretty sure option 3 will feel too tight (especially with a nightstand), so I should probably rule that one out, too.

Interesting to hear your experiences with the layouts, Cheryl. Thank you

Not a fan of beds in front of windows unless there is no other choice, which is sometimes the case in older homes. Rain and wind beating against the glass, hot sun on the bed, street noise . . . not ideal for sleeping. And would you ever want to open the window? Or stand at the window and admire the view? I like Option 2. It provides a cozy spot for a child to sleep, easy access to the closet, and floor space for play, furniture, toys, etc.

@einportlandor - good points. Street noise won't be an issue, but we do like to keep the windows open in the summer, and she will have some nice wetland views out her window.

I might just need to try the bed in both places for a while, before we buy any nightstands or hang any artwork, etc. I have never slept in front of/underneath a window, so I am not sure what that is like.

NEITHER!!! I would place the bed in front of the window!!!! You will be able to maximize space use, the TV can be located straight in front of the bed, a desk where your Opt 1 is showing the bed. The Worst option is nr 3