Watching your children transition to a bigger bed is always a bit bittersweet. It’s exciting, but it’s also quite nostalgic. As much as I’d like to turn back the time, I try to make the next stage exciting and fun for all of us. The transformation of a nursery into a school-age children’s room is an opportunity to work together with your child. Last year, we transformed my youngest daughter’s bedroom into the bedroom of her dreams. She wanted it to be colourful and fun – just like her personality. Despite all the colour, I wanted the room to feel elegant and stylish. Not too kiddy, so that she would be able to enjoy it for many years to come.
WOODEN SINGLE BED WITH STORAGE
Her old Ikea Minnen bed was getting a bit too small, so we knew it was time to upgrade to a single bed. We also wanted a bed that would be comfortable for an adult to sleep on, so that this room could be used as a second guest room. There is already a lot of white in the room, so I wanted to choose a finish that would warm things up a bit. And, what’s better than wood? The Adrian storage bed is made from solid birch, bringing a touch of nature to the room. Natural wood is always a versatile and timeless choice that won’t date. My husband said it wasn’t too bad to put together and commented on how well it was made. I must say I’m impressed! I think it’s really good value for a wooden bed with storage. It’s ideal for children and small rooms, but an adult can sleep comfortably on it too.
FARMHOUSE STYLE
I love a bedroom with mismatched furniture. Although the rest of the furniture is quite contemporary, the farmhouse-style bed adds just the right amount of interest and depth. The bed has a traditional feel to it but blends in beautifully with the contemporary style. It’s definitely a statement piece that won’t go unnoticed.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL
You can never have too much storage space in children’s rooms. The drawers under the bed are a generous size and you can easily remove them if you want to vacuum underneath. My daughter used to just throw all her toys under the bed anyway, so at least now we have a proper way of keeping everything in order. Maximising space in small rooms is so important, and even more so when it comes to children’s rooms. We are so desperate for more space that the next thing I want to do is have built-in wardrobes that go right up to the ceiling. That’s going to be our next big project this year.
MATTRESS
A new bed meant we needed a new mattress. We chose the Emma original hybrid mattress because of the good online reviews. We also have the Eve Sleep mattress (from the same company) in our master bedroom and I’ve been really happy with it. I also like that the mattresses come in a vacuum-sealed box, which can be easily taken upstairs. The mattress is a lot thicker than the old mattress at 28cm, but so much more comfortable. It’s a hybrid mattress, which means it’s a combination of pocket springs and foam. I’d say it’s ideal for children and/or small adults. They describe it as a medium firm mattress, but you really do sink into it, which I like. I wouldn’t mind taking a nap here occasionally, I tell you.
TOP TIP!
If you are buying a bed online, don’t forget to check what kind of mattress is recommended to go with it. A lighter bed frame will struggle with a thick mattress. A thick mattress can also detract from the bed’s visual proportions. Of course, the headboard and footboard should also be taken into account. The thickest mattress I’ve ever had was 40cm and it wouldn’t have worked on all beds. But if you want comfort like I do, it’s worth shopping around for a bed that can take a thick luxurious mattress.
