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emily_fuller60

Functional Fantasy

last month

My boys share a room and they have way too much clutter and the design layout of their bedroom is just not working for them. They also need a little bit of personal space due to an age gap one is 12 and the other is nine. Their room is a disaster every single week even after we clean it spotless so I’ve decided to completely toss almost everything except for furniture and keep minimal clothing that’s needed and their gaming systems and TVs and wanted to do a re-functional layout with more flow and space. This is what I came up with today hopefully it works out. It’s just the idea so far and I’ve picked out the furniture that needed to be bought. Fingers crossed I put before photos and include included my horribly scheduled out idea.

Comments (7)

  • last month

    Do a scaled layout using a ruler and including measurements. Graph paper works.

  • last month

    I agree that TVs and gaming do not belong in a bedroom. Move those into a public part of the house so activity can be monitored.

    That frees up space for storage, which looks like a big need. I like the idea of a bookshelf or something to separate the space - just make sure it is attached to the wall so it can't topple over.

    As for keeping the room tidy - as you've discovered, weekly effort isn't enough! I understand that some folks are naturally messy (my daughter is one of these, even as an adult), but having simple and logical storage does make it a lot easier to actually put things away.

    It is going to be a slow process, and developing new habits takes time and effort. Would the kids admit that they like the room better after tidying up than before? Engage them in developing a process to keep the room clean - letting them dictate the rules gives them ownership. Set 2 times every day when they pick up everything off the floor and beds - if done often, it won't take long.


    Good luck!

  • last month

    If the tvs and gaming equipment are removed to a public area, I guarantee the other clutter will be reduced by 50%.

  • last month

    Given that the vast majority of the clutter looks like clothing, I'm surprised you don't have a dresser in your plan. I'd put a dresser between the two beds. You could get a low and wide one to replace the little white table between the beds. If the clothes are dirty clothes, you need a hamper in the closet or bathroom.

    I would focus on storage. Is the closet well-organized with plenty of shelves for their clothes? Or does it just have a rod for hanging? We've always stored out-of-season clothes in the attic. In bins on high shelves in the closet can work, too. You'll only need to access them at the change of seasons. Make sure you toss or donate too small clothes the minute the younger outgrows them. When a dresser has too many unwearable clothes (which for some kids means they can't reliable pick a short or sock and know it will fit), they become unused and kids will use the floor or chairs to store their clothes.

    Some kids are visual organizers. They need to see something to find it. In this case, make sure your storage is well-labeled or in clear bins.

    You can teach your kids to tidy up daily, particularly if the job is putting dirty clothes in a hamper and putting their PJs away.

    Kids need to read. Children who read have much higher literacy levels and success in school than those who don't. I'd have a bookshelf and ensure they spend some time each day reading. Unless they do their homework at the kitchen table, you'll need desks, too.

  • last month

    Soooo....you are being advised to move the tv and gaming to another area - Don't do it. Keep their enjoyment in their room, otherwise you will hear yelling at the games in another space.


    Let them enjoy gaming in their room with the door closed. Anyone who has children under 18(and sometimes over), know how important these things are to them.


    If you can fit 2 gaming chairs in the room, then do that and forget about the bean bags.


    What are the room dimensions?

  • last month

    The boys need laundry hampers, one each, that they can carry to and from the washing machine and dryer. Age 12 is old enough to do their own laundry if they can reach the controls. The 9 year old may be ready now or in a year. https://www.amazon.com/Gracious-Living-91786-5C-Plastic-Clothes/dp/B09S5YV9QB