Tuesday, November 25, 2008

How to completely trash your house while trying to do something productive

With such limited space in our old house, we've learned how to cram 11 gallons of crap in a 10 gallon hat house. Then 12 gallons, then 13...

We're constantly sorting and purging. We outgrew our (awesome investment of a) duplex when Nick was born, so the addition of child #2 (no matter how cute he is!) means we're far past capacity. Consider the dog and the cat and the 52 bajillion toys that come along with children and you get the idea.

So the Hubster and I decided quite some time ago that once Will was big enough to come out of his crib that we'd get the boys bunk beds. Despite the frustrating experience we had with Will the first time we made his crib into a toddler bed a few weeks ago, we were willing to give it another go.

Only we're the type of people who will talk about an idea for awhile, then one day just up and do it. This was no exception.

We visited furniture stores, shopped around online, and had an idea as to what we wanted. This past Friday we found a few hours in the midst of a busy day when all four of us could go take a look at one last place. So when we found what we were looking for at a great price AND it was in stock? Well, we took it home that day, of course.

Begin utter chaos.



Bunk beds
Pictures 1-5: the "old room"
Pics 6 & 7: taking down old beds
Pics 8-11: putting together new beds
(and doing karate chops on the styrofoam, natch)
Pic #12: Oh holy crap.

While we'd planned to buy the beds, we really didn't consider how much work it was going to take to unassemble the old ones, move all the boys' toys and their dressers, set up the new beds and put everything else back.

Needless to say, it took us two days.

But Will LOVES his new "big boy bed" and we no longer have problems with him sneaking into his brother's bed to wrestle and giggle - somehow the fact that he can't actually see his brother seems to have solved that. He hasn't yet tried to climb the ladder in the dark - thank GAWD.

And now? Everything's back in order. Just in time for us to host Thanksgiving!


finalroom


If anyone in the Milwaukee area is looking for beds (bunk or otherwise) for their kids, I highly recommend Bunks & Beds on 62 & Layton. The (family) staff was super patient with all the kids in the store, their prices were GREAT and all our items were in stock!

And yes, of course we considered kids falling out of beds and how much work it would take to change the sheets on the top bunk before getting to this "let's go buy 'em!" stage. Square footage rules, and so do add-on bed rails.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the new bunk bed! We have two toddler beds in one room & it is incredibly space consuming. I imagine bunk beds are going to be a must one day in the near future. For now we're not investing in any new beds, mainly because the youngest prefers to sleep on the floor. go figure. lol

Tara R. said...

I LOVE it... as little kids my brother and I had bunk beds too. They are great for building forts with blankets and pillows. Bed rail rock!

Cynthia said...

We plan to get bunk beds for The Little Man when he's ready!

Kim said...

I always wanted a bunk bed when I was younger..but not to share with my sisters.. just for myself..lol..

I love his BIG smile on his new bed..too cute!!
JIC

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

My girls have bunk beds, but they're both down now. But, on Monday morning, my dad and Patrick will be putting them up for bunks! My 4 1/2 year old will be on top, and my mom thinks it's a dumb idea, but I know she'll be OK. Right? She'll be fine, right???

Anonymous said...

Great work! The room redo in a small space is an excruciating challenge!

Susie said...

Great tackle!!

I am over here in Brookfield. Although I don't have a need for the beds, I just want to say Hey neighbor!

maggie said...

Whew, that's a lot of work, but totally worth it. I always wanted bunk beds, but I kind of grew up like an only child, so that was out. Looks like good times!

Marni's Organized Mess said...

How fun! This is what Santa is bringing our kids too. :)

Anonymous said...

That last photo is great!q

Miss said...

Awesome! Bunk beds are fun!

I mean, uh, functional.

Heidi Boos said...

Nice work! We just got our 2 1/2 year old daughter a new bed. However, it's not set up because I still need to think through the mattress, sheets, bed spread, etc. Maybe after this weekend I'll get my act together. I would say that it's 2 days well worth it! Your son looks so excited in his new bed!

Happy2bme said...

They look live very nice bunk beds. My sister and I slept together in a Queen bed for several years before my parents bought a house big enough for us to have our own room. We have such great memories from sharing a room. Your boys will too!

Amydeanne said...

ah yes! the good ol' bunkbeds.. we were fortunate enough to inherit a set that my hubby had when he was a kid, we powder coated them (their steel) white and now the look brand spankin new!

Jenni said...

Awesome beds!!!! My boys have bunks and they are the best!

Mama Smurf said...

We went the bunk bed route too.

Jean said...

Cool big boy bed! Was your hubby happy to get his FACE in a post this time?

Roger Miller said...

Bunk beds are a necessity in my house (go figure, six kids and all) and the one thing I hate the most is changing those sheets! Thankfully, kids grow up and can be taught how to do this themselves. :)