Jan moyer i love the layout i was thinking of bed w stairs for safety of 3 yr old ..dont really like idea of ladder at night for bathroom run for my 7 yr old either but i guess i could put ladder side.against wall for safety as well. With color walls we have atm what would u recomend for bed color if we put on neutral greyish wall? Ive been looking at blue and green combos this am and blues and browns instead of just blues and greys.. i really like the way white pops against the blue but we have grey wall on left.

Time to find a furniture piece for that wall as i dont forsee hubby wanting to build something unfortunatey ..hes lazy when hes not working unless maybe i do something myself..any recomendations on where we could find plans for something like this?

Jan moyer togs are a challenge cause he really likes to build and not do much pretend play stuff but ive also accumulated stuff from four kids here so i deff need to purge some. how do you decide though when they like to use building toys which things to leave out. I got like 4 or 5 building toys sets, jumbo legos, bristle blocks wooden blocks and gears in addition to his siblings pretend play stuff

My kids were builders and so are my grandchildren. First the floor is cleared of other toys, books, etc. Then one set comes out at a time. When the build is done or a different activity is wanted, the build is taken apart. To address the "but I want to keep it!!" we take several pictures of the creation before it's disassembled. We name the pictures so that is part of the fun, and there's less pushback on taking it apart.

I suggest you push the toddler bed into the corner, exactly where the bunk bed will go, to make a more useful square play space.

To save money, consider open wall shelves. Not as tidy as closed storage but better than the floor. Blocks, puzzles or games can be stacked on high shelves and taken down as needed. 12" is deep enough for most toys, 8" for books. Can some of your floor shelves be wall mounted? Facebook marketplace sometimes has good deals.

As far as sorting, I would put all the puzzles (for example) together and let each child choose a set number to keep. There are always favorites and others not so much.

got my work cut out for me starting to purge rocking chair filled w lil people and baby legos but need to eat brunch...my adhd geting the better of me here as im getting excited.. just the ignore the laundry and dishes in the background lol

room darkening cordless shade im very short ..how does that work.. all ive used in past has been gromet tab top or slide thru type curtasins /sheer drapery

Ziploc bags are great for toys like Little People or Legos. The bags come in all sizes, you can see what's in them and they're much less expensive than clear plastic boxes. A whole bunch of Ziplocs can go in a re-used cardboard box that can sit on a shelf. Decorating the cardboard box can be a fun craft.

Or they can go in a larger bag with a sturdy handle, that can hang on a row of wall hooks. The plastic bags that bedding comes in are great. Or pick up some beach bags/large totes at a thrift store. Much less expensive than shelves and you don't need anyone to custom build a shelving unit. A few hooks or a wall-mounted coat rack are budget-friendly and easy to install on a wall. Also easy to move/remove if you change the room around.

You could use an IKEA Kallax unit with bins for clothes storage. It might be easier for teaching the little ones how to put clothes away. That would let you use a smaller bunk bed for the kids.

https://www.wayfair.com/baby-kids/pdp/harriet-bee-bunk-bed-with-storage-staircase-fnem1975.html?piid=106403947

There are numerous studies that show that too many toys are overwhelming for kids. Better to store some away and rotate them. Do you have basement or garage storage where you can keep some in bins to rotate. You need to be relentless about what actually gets played with. I had three kids and I know how difficult it can be when they get toys for birthdays, Christmas, etc. Developing a one in one out rule helps keep clutter at bay. You can get roller blinds that have a chain that can easily move them up and down.

Rotating toys doesn't mean that you have to put them in a different room. It can be as simple as putting some toys in a cardboard box on an upper shelf, and putting the "play with me now" toys easily visible on a lower shelf. It's a great way to use the upper wall in a small space.

Ana White is a very good source re: building plans. She has a website that has 1000's of plans - the ones labeled "project plans" are plans that she's built. There are also some "brag posts" where her followers will post their builds.

Her project posts list everything that you'll need - the exact number of each size of board/they screw types/a cut sheet for projects that use plywood/etc, She then provides detailed instructions. She also has many projects with YouTube videos linked where you can watch her build the entire project.

https://www.ana-white.com/

She started the website in 2009 - she was a "newbie" to building projects back then, She rates the difficulty of her projects - however, they are typically easier than how ranked - especially when there is a video.

There is a search bar you can use to pull up the type of plans you are looking for:

You could use storage bins under all of these bunk beds - you might have to adjust the height of the space on the last one shown below.

This bunk bed shown below was ranked as "intermediate" - however, she made it back in 2010 when she was just a beginner. Compare it to the bunk beds in the above photo - that project is rated as a "beginner" project that she made in 2019.

She also has storage ideas -

For a garage or basement:

This plan below is able to configure your storage rack based upon your space + tote size.

She also has a configurator plan for modular hanging closet system - it makes the plans for the sizes you need/want for your closet:

She has plans on how to add storage to your closet by using the back of the closet doors:

Below is another closet organizer for children:

The closet organizer above has a YouTube video that shows the entire build by her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD0m_tGUSGg

She also has toy storage ideas:

I am sure that there are many plans that can be found online - I just know two people who used her plans and said that they were EASY (one was my niece - and she hadn't ever built anything before! - zero DIY experience).

If you have Fisher Price Little People - empty protein containers work well to store many little people:

They also store a ton of marbles!!

I use steralite stirage xontainers usually to store sets of accesories one for the farm one for the hoise stuff etc good idea though

For now im.cleaning up closet and moved toys into it in front of the stuff in thr straightened up storage cubes that gets used s bit less

I need to put fabric on bottom of shelf in front or wheels though so i can roll it out easier though

I am going to revisit the bunk beds you liked. What is the wall length from the closet door to the other wall with door entering the room. The bed is 102 1/2 inches long. Is there a chance the bed could fit on that wall?

Its litterally the same measure the same measure 102..from closet purside door farme to the wall .. the bunk w drawer+ stairs etc would take up the whole navy accent wall that the crib used to be on..but then wed be set for storage for both boys wardobes of course. Like we were in my girls room before.

Jan Mauer isnt it bad idea to have bunk bed in front of window though..i can just see a hand going thru the screen now smh

Put their heads at the doorway end.............mp they aren't going to go through a screen

Hu ppl are sayign its to bug and gonna overpower rhe small room i like the fact thsts its a quick and easy solution to wardrobe storage issues

Jan Moyer, I moved everything around like pic you drew today, toddler bed and brown dresser are currently against the wall when you come in where bunk bed will go. grey wall. i deffinatley like the free space feel. i put plastic toy shelves stacked on top of eachother for now to the left of the door opening, when you enter the room, till i get around to cleaning top shelf of closet and move somethings up there for storage, was thinking mybe a few vesken storage things from ikea would be nice to keep a few toys out and handy instead of keeping everything in closet though for easy access or maybe low floating shelves would be better option. initally i was thinking high ones but by the rug would be play area so low makes alot more sense since it is a kids room after all. what size would you recomend?

https://www.tiktok.com/@rojo_rustics/video/7337200115683331374

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/563018694271402/

https://www.tiktok.com/@nathaliericci/video/7596752938652011807

https://karschnerandco.com/setting-up-a-child-friendly-playroom/

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/RiverRidge-Home-Kids-4-Tier-24in-Ladder-Shelf-with-Toy-Organizer-and-2pc-Bins/37866511/product.html

im thinking i prob wouldnt want to go any wider then like 64 or 66 inches for a dresser though so chair has room to rock and things dont feel to cramped. if i wanted to have two dressers side by side what size would you recommend? Maybe different heights one w 3 drawers one with 5, or both w four drawers each (so each kid has own dresser) i do also like to have place for my coffee when im in the rocker as well. also what color do you recommend for bed black, white to match furniture, grey/silver, navy (havent found navy metal one yet though) also pics of room / colors theme ideas are at beginging of this post. also need to find a good rug and decide on color for shade.

I think there has been some confusion about the recommended placement for the bunk bed. I never understood these comments about the screen, and the bed in front of the window.

It woud be good to have pictures of the room the way you have it now. I wouldn't buy any toy storage pieces until you have finished the clean out part, and have arranged the closet the way you like it.

^^ She was worried about a child putting a hand through a window screen.........

answer? HEADS ar the entry end. of the room. In short? not a worry.

I have heard of kids going through a screen so consequently I wouldn't place the bed against the window. Placing in like on the plan below also gives the possibility for a twin bunk bed with the stairs you want.

Well, I have only 1 grandchild. He was an only child, a quiet boy when he was young and even at that, he ended up with a very severe concussion when he was almost 3 from a TV falling on him. The TV had been placed on a sturdy table when the built-in was taken apart when my daughter was moving. Both my husband and my son tried to tip the TV and were never able to do it. To this day we still don't know how my grandson did it. I don't know how well behaved these 2 kids are and although the pillows would be away from the window, kids move around, play, jump on beds, climb, etc. It is recommended to keep furniture away from windows with kids. I'm not even sure having the bookcase under the window is safe. Accidents do happen...

I agree. One of my cousins kids got injured, just hitting a wall when she was jumping on the bed. I would never have a kids bed by a window. At a certain age, having two boys in the same room, can be bad enough, without having to worry about them falling into a window. I had two boys 15 months apart. They can be holy terrors at times.

Jan moyer... furniture idea course currently we dont have a large dresser yet or bunk but bed is in bunk spot and changing table dresser where larger one will go

Had a rug before but it got gross need a new one still and for soft lighting i currently have a desk lamp (cute mushroom one in amazon cart im thinking about will drop link below) and also a salt lamp as well for night time and a dino color changing light the kids love.

was thinking green or black maybe or light blue https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F21NH8DX/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_6?smid=A2FI4RX5EQ8TN3&th=1

Lala girl i want to buy a bed in a color that will work for whatever wall ill be putting it on..not just buy something now to try to sell for a different color down the road or hate cause it looks funny

@JAN MOYER can you let us know why you wouldn't put the bunk bed in the opposite corner? It's an unusual choice to cover a third of the window with such a tall piece of furniture. You'd have to pull it away from the window to allow for the heating radiator, and for curtains/blinds. And I'm imagining walking into the room, and the facing the bunk beds, rather than a dresser and a view to the window.

rethinking things as the rocking chair is hitting wall a lot and realized there's an outlet behind lowest plastic toy shelf on the left which makes it not the best spot for low floating shelves possibly, i also like the bookshelf w desk lamp by door into the room so i cant turn on lil lamp at night for boys without having to walk across the room or add a timer on the lamp

@jan mayer i have a few things in response to your last post

I am curious as to how this happens, even a minimum nine hours ......in the living room, on a foam play couch..

its actually memory foam and cost around 200 we got for christmas two years ago and ended up w two sets actually due to deffective covers so theyve been getting alot of use over the last two years for playing and sleeping ..i also have accume seal bags to store them away if need be however.

• 9 to 12 hours is the recommended amount for children aged 6 to 12 years.

Tips for Better Sleep:

• Maintain a strict, consistent bedtime routine.
• Turn off all screens (TV, tablets, phones) at least one hour before bed.
• Create a quiet, dark, and cool sleeping environment.
• Avoid caffeine (soda, chocolate) in the afternoon and evening.

* i am aware of this and we have a routine but with four kids some nights are kinda crazy...my 25 yr old is up here w my 12 yr old now who had adhd and struggles w sleeping they're just chatting...

* pics of other rooms will be coming....sleep happens for sure, 12 yr old likes living room couch atm 7 yr old couch bed .... just house is hecka messy w so many kids around

* I really wish i had a girlfriend. honestly my closest friend was in his 70s and passed away a few years ago.

Your seven year old loves to build. ......So you ask him to pick his absolute favorites, you take away those that are not favorites.

* Three yr old likes to build actually not the 7 yr old (i got 4 kids and adult son living here w us as well) and we did this the other day when i first started moving things around (no more duplo legos or little people are out where he can reach them. They will be moved to basement or top shelf of closet)

* i have plastic rolling buckets under toddler bed with lids were storing diapers in right now honestly....good idea to put toys in them under the bed if we can figure out the clothing storage situation so we have enough room.... clothing is more important then toy storage as well.. remember that was why i was thinking of bed w stairs and drawers was for extra storage to begin w

measure of the girls room will come too. my 13 yr old has been sleeping on her jumbo bean bag chair by choice cause she frequently stims and snapped the hardware and wood on our other bunk bed w drawers for stairs we had that i had planned to move into the boys room

Nobody want's the baby room, but you.

my 3 yr old is the one who builds and plays in the room... my 7 yr old would only be in there for sleep and doesn't care too much if the space is nice.. since i've been moving things around lately though he's taking more interest in toys in his room lately as well i explained how i was trying to make it more cozy for us to hang out and play together. i was also thinking white or navy or grey or black would be better choice for bed, more modern looking then dark brown since trim in room is white but wasn't quite sure what would look best to buy...

* i get bunk is important but one w storage drawers i had initially thought of getting cost almost 1000$ not everyone has loads of money hanging around why i was trying to tweek a few minor things to just make things a bit more cozy for now till we get taxes done and have funds for furniture

You need hubby help, now, ..

* i also need hubby to fix plumbing in the bathroom and do the taxes so we have money for the new bed and furniture too lol

The inside closet cleanup, is a purge with a good friend, to keep you focused.

*rough cause i don't have one (close friend died a few years back now)

*The rocker ? stays unless I decide it goes obviously 3 yr old and i sat in it reading tonight before bed after we did our bedtime routine the kids do every night...

*w regard to sheets i just happened to get a good deal 40 percent off on cotton sheets from target so bought a few sets a while ago that my 7 yr old had liked since i knew wed be working on room soon

thank you for your help btw

par tim also around thankgiving we had soemone who was willing to deliver a bunk w stairs and drawers that lived like an hr away so we got rid of broken one but that unfortunatley that ended up falling thru and i havent seen much like the one they had on market place since then

K laurence mine likes the navy whybim trying got make it work in the scheme

The inside closet cleanup, is a purge with a good friend, to keep you focused. ......................

*rough cause i don't have one (close friend died a few years back now)"

What can I say that has not been said?

This:

I'm very sorry for the loss of a dear friend as happens in this life. I can't be sorry for any DH and an adult son allowing you to struggle with failing plumbing, and an out of control mess.

There's "no money", but there was money for all the play stuff on the floor.

You need help. I have no clue how you will get that help. SOME things are choice, and I think it is wonderful you read with a three year old, and maybe it would be possible to do that in the living room and tuck him in after he dozes off, but maybe it's impossible if the adults /male are blasting a tv instead of doing the taxes to speed the refund.

The same %$$#@ bed comes in gray, Tell DH you are buying it, so he had better get the taxes done, before the bill comes due

You can get mattresses on Amazon

For under 500.00 that's one problem solved.

I'm reminded of someone who is starving, hasn't eaten in days, but refuses a delivered hot meal, because there was a condiment on the burger or chicken,,,,,,,,,,,

You don't have a thousand dollars. You don't need a thousand dollar BED. You need a stacked bed, two mattresses. You need to change the three year old on a mat, and be rid of a changing table piled with other junk.

You need DH off his rear end an adult son off his, and DH gets a friend who can fix plumbing with him, go to Home Depot, and get a lot of shelving in the closet, whether for toys, or for clothes and he has another helper in an adult son.

Not all of the toys can remain in the room, not all of the books can remain.

Maybe begin with getting that foam jammed into a corner, out to the garbage.

All in below about 1400.00 , elbow grease and a couple adult makes off their tushes.

All the clothing in the armoire, NO dressers, door of the closet to inside shelving for toys

Building blocks Legos under the bed, Walmart shag rugs and move on, or don't

@JAN MOYER this is the second thread in the last few days where you've expanded your comments into people's personal lives, in an unkind way. I do believe that you are making these comments with the intent to help, but ill chosen words can hurt, especially in written communication that does not always accurately reflect the tone of our words.

It is a good practice to think twice before you hit send. There is no rush. Especially since we do not know a person's family situation, and when you may be feeling frustrated that your advice is not being taken.

^^

I thought ten times: I see her plight. I'd throw her a life line, a raft in a rough sea!

If I lived next door, I'd empty the room, rearrange, and in one day make a gigantic improvement, albeit far from perfect, until bunk beds.

I'm not there, nor is anyone else on this thread close enough to do much beyond suggest and empathize, or sympathize.. The first of the three words might yield a result to make her happy, the other two are soothing but accomplish little in getting her to her goal.

At some point, you need a PLEA to those who are nearest/dearest,,,,,,,,and probably right nearby in the living room. Both a bit older than three and seven: )

Here are 2 views...

As far as the lamp for the room, it seems pricey at $55. And I'd choose a less breakable one for a child's room not a ceramic base and glass shade. That's the kind of thing I buy at Value Village or similar.

With regards to toys alot were not even purchased by us..some ive had for 12-25 years some were gifts etc granted the kids got a few things for christmas we do something they want need wear read and nothing more besides stocking cause we have alot already and the foam coach has been a wonderful addition to pur house albeit covers have to sometimes be removed for washing and foam cushions hang around. Maybe i shouldnt gave come in here even looking for advice.. i apogoze if im making anyone feel angry frustrated or unappreciated. Heres a pic of my living room after straightening up a bit once ppl were in bed.

@partim

The lamp I showed on the bookcase is plastic with an aluminum stem, the 2 lamps can be the same. From Ikea.

The lid for the otoman recently broke i have a new one in my shien cart atm

I wouldn't replace the ottoman.

It offers some seating, but I suggest that people can sit on the floor or on the bottom of the bunk bed. As far as storage, until you optimize toy storage in the closet, and do a bit of purging, I wouldn't purchase any storage at all. The living room picture has another huge box of toys.

Your house and rooms look to be the same size as the home I grew up in. We didn't have this problem because we had way less toys. It doesn't matter that they were gifted or whatever. The problem is the same if there are too many, especially if they are all "out" at once.

If you google "How to reduce toy clutter" you'll get lots of hits. Pick a site that speaks to you, and if it doesn't work try the next one.

My experience is that kids get over-stimulated and unhappy when they have too much of their stuff around. And given a lot of options of what to play with, they get overwhelmed with choices and end up on a screen.

My three yr old is usually fine but my 7 yr old.we struggle with and the 12 and 13 yr old its a rough age to begin w the screens..replacing the otoman morr so i can put feet up then storr toys were going th4u those as weve been playing w them too lately.. we agreed to get rid of four more books today lol

When my kids were little and I was on a tight budget I’d often sell things they didn’t need anymore to make money for the things they did need, it often didnt cover the whole cost - but it did help (and it moved things out of my house, which was nice)

I am sorry I am walking into this late but I am a fellow mom of three who has felt like I was drowning in kid stuff in the past. But then we moved and then we moved again a year later and it really forced my hand. There was no way I was packing and unpacking so much stuff over and over. It was months of hard work and slow going but really thinning things out had a hugely lattice impact on our lives, on the feeling of clutter, on how my kids played with and valued their toys and more. We are now several years on from the toys stage and have culled again and kept only the toys they really loved for when younger cousins come to play. When I went through phases of wanting to create change i did it one space at a time till done. For me that made it doable. But if that is a lot on its own then you could start with one smaller goal at a time. I feel for you. Wanting order and better function in our homes is so important, getting there is so hard, especially doing it around the kids too, who pipe up with their views often!

We are fortunate to have a Buy Nothing facebook group in our neighbourhood. People post things they are done with, or things they need as an ISO (In Search Of.) To borrow or to keep. People pick up the things they need from your place.

I recently received some nice size 7 track pants for my granddaughter to wear when she visits. I'll repost them when she grows out of them. I borrowed some toys suitable for a 2 year old, for 2 weeks, when my son's family was visiting from overseas. The person who lent them said her kids thought they were new toys when I returned them LOL!

Someone has borrowed my snow pants for the week, to wear when she goes along to her son's school cross country ski day.

I would say that kid's toys and clothes are the most posted items.

Same Partim. It is a great thing and really helpful. I’ve also received wonderful donations for my classroom via the buy nothing group. I used to try and sell stuff but it wasn’t a good use of my time, now I just give it away ajd am happy someone else will enjoy it.

@WestCoast Hopeful My sister has supervised the transition to paperless, for several big offices. I have given an enormous amount of her stuff to teachers! Hundreds of binders, no exaggeration. Coloured paper, staplers, hole punches.

If anyone is interested, here is the link to find your group. https://buynothingproject.org/

Jan moyer funny thing i discovered this week regarding taxes... hubby ot wasnt even taxed right by work..were expecting new w2 in mail.. smh guess its good we didnt do em quite yet afterall