Design Dilemmas

Episode 13: The Bedroom Edition. Talking storage options, lighting that does the job without turning the 'big one' on, unattractive trainers, double kids rooms and getting a good nights sleep.

This week, I have transferred my middle child into my eldest childs bedroom. Yes, as you can imagine this was not without drama. We have lived in this house over eight years and upon arrival, Max (middle child) announced he was happy to have the small room, a decision that he has regretted every single year since. Max’s room is only big enough to hold a bed and a chest of drawers - no room to swing Flo even if she allowed him to pick her up - but in fairness to him, he has never complained about it, not once. So when Ella (oldest child) left home in September vowing never to return (once she’s gone, she’s gone, were her words), it was the natural progression - and, indeed, a reward - for Max to take her large, actually extremely spacious, room.

However, despite her protestations that she had left forever, it took almost ten months for me to build up the courage to start the battle that was telling her that we were kicking her out and that Max and his X Box were moving in; a month plus for us to actually do the deed. Although she now has a rental flat of her own with her boyfriend, the concept of her home space being no more was quite difficult to come to terms with. This weekend, she is coming back for the first time since the swap over and will be using Max’s old room as her base. On the plus side, she is returning to go on a day out to York Races so the chances of her being sober enough to care much will be minimal.

But with bedrooms in mind, I have been collating audience requests for this arena for the last few weeks and today I have compiled a Bedroom Edition special for your reading pleasure. This week, we’re discussing how to make the most of your bedroom storage and why black out blinds make the biggest difference to your sleep. We’re considering pendant, table and wall bedside lighting and how to make a trainer collection look less intrusive in your room of calm. And finally, how to design a room that will work for two children with different interests.

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