Creating a bedroom for two young boys

Over the last few weeks we’ve been working really hard to get a few things finished in our home. I’ve felt incredibly frustrated at times, because I just haven’t had the physical finesse and endurance to do DIY in the evening, (or daytime for that matter). I’ve had to watch Jared work away in the evenings, and have felt slightly resentful that I can’t do anything other than a bit of painting, filling and rearranging. I am getting a bit too excited not be pregnant any more, and so eager to meet the little person inside.

I shared a room until I left home at 18. Most of the time, my sister and I got on really well and it was such a wonderful part of my childhood. We had bunk beds, a desk each, an inflatable sofa at one time and a Hi-Fi system that we were thrilled with. Often my older brother would sleep on our bedroom floor so that he could join in our late night conversations – something that continued right up until I left home. I have really fond memories of sharing a bedroom, and knew that I wanted the same for our children.

Winston and Rufus’s bedroom was the first one that we painted after moving in. It was bright turquoise with pink curtains and a rainbow painted on one of the walls, and we just wanted to calm it down a little. Eight months ago we painted the walls, picture rail, walls and skirting boards, and then more recently we’ve made the final changes.

Between the boys’ bedroom and Otto’s bedroom was a Jack and Jill toilet which we decided to remove and replace with a set of wardrobes in each room. Neither of us fancied cleaning a toilet that four small boys would be using (!), and once we’d installed a family bathroom, it felt unnecessary. A few weeks ago Jared removed the walls, toilet and sink between the two rooms, ready for the joiner to install their wardrobes.

I am so happy with how their bedroom has turned out, and I am over the moon with their new built in wardrobes. They look exactly as I’d hoped – better even, and the storage space is fantastic. I bought the wardrobe fronts through ebay for £30, and our joiner worked around them to create shelving and wardrobes with hanging space and drawers. Overall, I wanted to keep their space calm and organised – a place to read, relax and unwind, plus a space that would be easy to update as they get older. Almost all of their toys are kept downstairs, and it seems to work for us.

I would have chosen to keep the walls less cluttered, but Winston was so set on having certain posters in his bedroom and I didn’t have reason enough to say no to him. There is one wardrobe front missing at the top and currently no bedroom door, which I’m hoping will be added very soon.

Let me know what you think – I’ve added the links for everything below.

Beds – Wayfair

Curtains and curtain pole – B&Q

Blind – Blinds 2go

Paint – Sail White by Crown

Bedside tables – Urbansize

Garland and wardrobe knobs – Nkuku

Carpet – Wilsons Carpets

Hanging basket and rug – Homesense

Hooks and chest of drawers – ebay

Height ruler – Homemade

Prints – boobooskins, LovelyPosters and simplekidindustries at Etsy

Mirror, lamps, light fitting, belly baskets, frames, cushion and bedding – IKEA

Lightbox – John Lewis

E xx