The saying goes, “If you want to see your priorities, look at your checkbook.” So what do you do when you look at how you allocate your money and it doesn’t line up with what you say you want?
Well, in our case, we downsized.
Five years ago we were doing a great job of paying lip service to the idea that we wanted to make memories rather than accumulate possessions, all while having a house payment that made that difficult. In what felt like a pretty bold move to us, we sold our larger, albatross-like house and downsized to something that allowed us much more wiggle room in our monthly budget.
The exchange felt like the ticket to travel adventure that we had desired, but it was not without cost. The biggest cost, by far, was figuring out how to fit an already oversized family into an even smaller space. Downsizing our possessions was easy enough, but the number of kids was unchangeable, and our new home didn’t have a dedicated space for each of them.
They would simply have to share bedrooms, and we reasoned that there was much character building and camaraderie to be gained from such an arrangement. The shared bedroom arrangement worked brilliantly, until it didn’t. Growing kids with a genuine need to have some privacy, as well as growing personalities that needed some space, combined with a variety of differing bedtimes was a recipe for disaster. We tried a variety of different permutations to make it work, but what we really needed was just one more bedroom space.
So, we did what we have done for years- made it work with what we have. In this case, that meant turning a closet into a brand new bedroom for our littlest.
Now, before anyone gets all faux-shocked and starts going all “nobody puts Baby in a closet” on me, this closet has room for a bed and a dresser. Plus, it has a window. It’s not a sad, dark little hole. Okay.
And….I think it might be my favorite room in the house. I cannot get over the cuteness of it, nor can I believe that we were able to make a pretty small place into a very livable space. Bigger is not always better.
Tips for Turning a Closet into a Bedroom
1.Choose a light colored paint. Light colors reflect and make the space seem airy. Dark colors in a small space just won’t work.
~ A creamy lemon color is the perfect light color for a small space~
2.Think vertically. We knew we would need storage space, but since spreading out wasn’t an option, we looked up with shelving for toys. Labeled buckets keep things looking neat. Shelves placed up high also have the added benefit of making the space looking taller by drawing the eye upward.
~Shelving running along the top of the closet maximizes the space (and chalkboard labels keep things organized)~
3.Consider built-in options for furniture. When dealing with a limited space, it is important to use every inch to the fullest potential. We found a standard sized bed that would fit in the space, but we could get 7 extra inches out of the bed, if we opted for a built-in. Instead of wasting those extra inches, my mom and dad designed and built a bed for the space (God love them!) and made it even more usable.
~Built-in bed corner~
4.Utilize hidden storage. Another benefit to building your own furniture is the option to make it work for you. The bed platform doubles as a hidden storage cubby, which makes the small space even more usable.
~Built-in bed opens up to allow for storage underneath~
5.Let there be light. We were really lucky to have a closet with a window in this space, but I added several light sources to amp up the light even more. One single overhead light source directs the eye into one place, but several small lamps keeps the eye moving around the space, making it seem larger.
~Funky Ikea lamp and battery operated question mark add light in the darker spaces~
6.Add décor that does double duty. I knew that we would need tons of space for books. (Hi! My name is Jessica and I have a book buying problem.) Knowing this helped to direct my décor choices. Shelves underneath the bed were installed for books, as well as shelves at the foot of the bed for more books. I love the display at the foot of the bed that enticingly suggests a quick story before drifting off to sleep. Another double duty décor is the chalkboard above the bed. I felt the space really needed some kind of headboard, and who doesn’t like a headboard that can also be an art canvas?
7.Ditch the door. This is a personal preference, but the door was much too coffin-like for my taste. Instead, we replaced it with a sheer curtain, so air could still move freely and it can be tied back during the day.
8.It’s all the (fun) details. With a small space, it’s obviously important to make every inch work for you, and in a kid’s room that means there has to be some space for fun. My little guy loves to hang up pictures of his family and things that he has created, so a place to easily hang his art was a great addition. He also loves to play house with his little people, so I saved one precious shelf as a little tiny nook for the tiny people. The sight of it makes me want to squeee! ( and I never squee.)
That is an adorable room! such cute details! I think you did a great job!
Hilarye recently posted…Pick your favorite travel meme and Amazon gift card giveaway
Thanks Hillarye! We really love it!
How does a child get out of a closet in a fire without any outside access?
There’s a window and the door has been replaced by a sheer curtain, according to the article.
So wonderfully written! You are brilliant dear friend.
Thank you! You are too kind.
So cute! Great organization and great design.
Thank you. I was really happy with how it turned out.
Definitely the cutest room in the house! I love those attic rooms, too.
Bronwyn Joy recently posted…Teaching kids to pack: a prospective, randomised, uncontrolled trial
Thanks. I’ve become slightly obsessed with tiny spaces.
This looks great! 🙂
Jessica recently posted…(Almost) Wordless Wednesday
My kids love cozy spaces. despite having huge rooms to themselves, both have spent many an hour both playing and sleeping in their closets or under their beds. We are cave dwellers at heart I guess~ Love what you did with this space, especially the cubby for little people!
Jeanne Medina recently posted…Not Sad (for Maya)
This is awesome! I actually have friends here in Los Angeles who have turned a large closest into their bedroom – this was to save money instead of trying to find a larger apartment to fit all of the roommates. Well done! 🙂
Lauren Wasilewski recently posted…Hello world!
We have a small house but only one child – so he does have his own room. However it’s the limited living space that is our problem. He likes to play near us (as it’s only him). So our lounge is taken over with play mats and Lego. I am about to change our bedroom to include a comfy sitting area where we can escape the noise, to enjoy a book or TV. As you say make use of what you’ve got.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…Mundaring Weir – a fun family Perth day trip
It’s like a cuter version of Ikea. 😉 And I love the built in bed. Never would have thought to do that.
elaine schoch recently posted…Colorado Theatre-Hikes at Chautauqua Park Boulder
This is adorable. I really love what you did in this room.
Cris @MyFashionJuice recently posted…Sneaker Chic with DSW Shoe Hookup
I would have never guessed this was a closet had you not told us, it looks like a charming little bedroom, great use of a small space!
Mariah Leeson (@Giggles_Galore) recently posted…The Creative Collection Link Party
Such a great idea…..and I know there are many friends especially in small NYC apartments who could really use this post! 🙂
Debra @A Frugal Friend recently posted…Huge Back to School Gymboree Sale – Everything $14.99 and Under
What a cool resourceful idea!
This room is adorable and full of character! I think any child would be happy in this room! Great Tips too!
Amber recently posted…Clean Energy from Arcadia Power & 1 Month Free!
This space turned out so cute! One of our bedrooms upstairs has an oversized closet with a window which I always though was so strange, but it totally works in this situation!
Emily recently posted…Pin It Thursday
This turned out so cute. I could only dream of a closet in our house actually being big enough to convert this way.
Mardesia @ Keeping Your Cents recently posted…Brand New $2.00 off Any Glucerna Product
I just started our closet to bedroom conversion. I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I’m going a little nuts with ours since my daughter is older. I’m taking down the ceiling and putting in a faux vault.for head room. The walls will be neon pink. The bed will be a bright white loft and underneath floating neon green shelves will create a desk.. Her desk “chair” will be a storage ottoman. At first, I kinda thought “I’m the bad lady in Harry Potter”. Now getting into the project looks like her room will be amazing, while mine remains dull. She has an iPad which will server for TV. Every inch counts in this economy.
I have a 4 1/2 x 9 room that my 8 year old sleeps in. Any ideas. I wouldnt know this was a closet. Awesome.
Do you have instructions on how your parents built in the bed and possible cost? I’m turning ours into a bedroom for my little girl so she doesn’t have to share with boys
We live in a three bedroom home. My girls(15 and 12) share one room. My oldest boy16) has his own room. My 3 year old boy still sleeps in our room, I wanted to transform our closet into my three year old room. my husband thinks it is wrong!! what do you think?