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sandye12

small shared room.

4 years ago

I’m moving to this Apt. temporarily about a year. I have two boys 12 and 15. Im trying to think of the best way to accommodate them. Bunk beds( full on bottom) and i have a large l shape deskni was going to use for gaming area. Opinions bunk or twin beds? Lay out?

Comments (18)

  • 4 years ago

    Bunk beds make sense, but in a room that size I wouldn't want the full-on-the-bottom; I'd want two twins. Even with twin-over-twin bunks, I'm not sure that desk will fit in the room.


    Before you move in, do a good purge of outgrown clothing and things the boys don't want /use any more.


    Get them some closet organizers and try to get ALL their clothing into the closet.


    Get them some plastic tubs that'll fit under the lower bunk.

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you for your help.Im stressed. The room is about 11x12

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Twin bunks. My kids share a 10' x 12' room and I wouldn't want anything bigger than a twin in there. Assuming the window wall is your 11' wall, I'd try the head of a twin bunk up against the window so you can still open and close the windows/blinds, which should leave you just enough space at the foot to be able to get into the closet. We have the same window configuration and have a low bookshelf that sits under the window moulding; that's also really helpful to have. You could potentially use an L-shaped desk if you don't mind one spot being in front of the window, but it looks like the one you have might be too long. (Could probably just get shorter tops for it and still use the lower components, though.)

  • 4 years ago

    Ty. My son is 15 he’s insisting a bit on the full bottom.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    You could do a full with the same general layout but it would block a bit more of the window (maybe look for a bed frame that is pretty low there?) and make the clearance for the desk chairs tighter--but still workable, I think. My kids are 8 and 10 so a bit younger, and still use more of their floor space for playing, but maybe by the time they're teens they'll be more flexible on that!

  • 4 years ago

    Yes, they just need room for video games. Lol

  • 4 years ago

    Do they make a bunk system that has a futon on the bottom and twin on the top? I believe the futon changes to a full size bed to sleep??

  • 4 years ago

    My son is 15 he’s insisting a bit on the full bottom.

    - He's 15. He doesn't get to insist.

    - It's only for a year.

    - I doubt he has the experience to understand that while he may WANT a full, it just won't fit in the room. If you give him what he wants, he's pretty quickly going to be unhappy with the lack of floor space.

    Yes, they just need room for video games.

    Could you mount a TV on the wall so it wouldn't require a piece of furniture? Could the boys have beanbag chairs to sit in while they play their games? Beanbags, being flexible, can be tossed in a corner.

    Do they make a bunk system that has a futon on the bottom and twin on the top?

    I suspect they'd leave it as a bed most of the time.

  • 4 years ago

    Twin beds angled into the corner on the left side could work and having either different heights or use a narrow bookcase as a divider might be good as well. I agree with Mrs Pete that there just is not the space for a full size bed and it would be inequitable, not fair to the younger brother as well. It could become a set up for favoritism. You could also place beds on either side (headboards against window wall) but then would an appx 6 foot gaming desk in between be enough space for them both? Another option could be a trundle bed. Definitely seek their input as ownership of what they choose could help avoid arguments in the future. Good it's only for a year!





  • 4 years ago

    If they are tall already, try twin extra long bunk beds. One full and one twin bed will lead to arguments over favoritism, as said above.

  • 4 years ago

    Do they game from PCs or with a TV? Mine game but use TV so desk wouldn’t be needed. Just a bit TV, shelf for gaming system, comfy spot to game from.

  • 4 years ago

    Why not consider two loft beds with “desks” below for gaming? That would give each of them an elevated bed, but the floor space to hang out. How do they game? Maybe, instead of the desk area below the beds, you turn that into beanbag lounging and hang the tv, as suggested.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Pretty sure you can't fit two loft beds in the room--believe me, we've tried in ours! You'd have to entirely block the window, and I assume at a minimum you want to be able to open/close shades. Otherwise, your only option is to put the second bed on the wall where the dresser is in the image, which would make the entry into the room incredibly tight. (I'm assuming the 12' dimension is inclusive of the closet--if it isn't, then maybe you have a smidge more space, but two separate beds is still going to be tricky if one isn't low enough to go under the window, as hu818472722 showed.)

  • 4 years ago

    Personally, for a year, and to keep kids happy, who likely don’t care one bit about the window, I would block the window if need be to set up the beds as they want. The loft bed idea is near as it gives everyone their own space for sleep and gaming. Kids don’t want the same things we do, just read my teen bed woes post lol

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    No matter what you do , something is going to be blocked. This is temporary so I would buy anything that needs to be built in or might not be easily used in your next home or sold. No offense to your kids, but they do not get to insist. They can ask , but that doesn't mean getting.

    Do you have to keep the desk? what sort of alternatives do you have?

    Right now, it sounds like the importance is getting into a new place for what will be a very short amount of time ( a year will fly by so quickly ).

    A twin over full bunk bed may be best:


    This was on Wayfair... not too pricey ( you need to get the mattresses ). Without dimensions and locations for the door and closets, it is hard to say whether there is a chance to fit that desk.


    Good luck

  • 4 years ago

    Good idea: Twin beds laid out in an L-shape. Gives you lots of floor space, and each boy would have under-bed storage.


    Good idea: Loft the beds. Sure it can fit -- lots of dorm rooms hold dual lofted beds -- but it'd probably have to be homemade. You could have a futon or loveseat under one bed, which would allow seating for gaming, and the other under-bed could be reserved for storage.

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you all for your help. I got alot to think about. I appreciate it!

  • 3 years ago

    Did you make a decision? If not, you should see if it's possible to modify the desk top. Otherwise, with the current configuration, I think the full/twin bunkbed will work best.