Home & Garden Blog » Kid’s Rooms

Kids Room: Thinking About Bunk Beds

brock — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:37:08 +0000

When I was a kid, I really wanted a bunk bed, but since my brother and sisters were more than a decade older than me, it made it a bit of a moot point. It wasn’t until college that my bunk bed dream was finally realized.

I currently have three boys, all close in age, and I have been thinking about getting a bunk bed for the two oldest as a way to save some space. This has been a long time coming, but the decision wasn’t easy. I am not a kid anymore, and the safety of my children is my first concern.

Space

Bunk beds save space in a room by stacking one bed on top of another. This creates a vertical space and significantly opens up a smaller room. You may even be able to consolidate two bedrooms into a single room and create a whole new room for toys, an office or a living area.

Coolness

Every kid loves the idea of sleeping on the top bunk. Bunk beds are just awesome. The problem is that someone has to sleep on the bottom. My plan is to let the oldest sleep on the top bunk and tell my middle child that he can have the top bunk when he is older. If this doesn’t solve the dispute, then you can always create a schedule where they can switch bunks every few days or every week.

Safety

This is why I spent many hours debating with myself about a bunk bed. Every parent has fears about their child falling from the top bunk of the bed and crashing to the floor with a thud. The good news is that bunk bed makers have thought about this over the years and put in place certain safety parameters to keep them from rolling over and off the edge. It’s still nerve-wracking, but they are relatively safe.

Types

Take your time in choosing a bunk bed, and let your kids get involved as well. Let them pick out the ones that they like best, but make sure it goes with the décor and feel of the room. Themed bunk beds are cool unless everything else in the room is completely different. A superhero bunk bed sounds great until you put it in a room decorated with Transformers.

I am excited about getting a bunk bed. It’s one of those childhood dreams that I never had fulfilled, and I get to pass it on to my kids, whether they actually want it or not. I’ll keep you posted on the search and how it ultimately goes over.

Style and Comfort: Playful Organization

colleen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:38:20 +0000

It’s always a struggle to keep childrens’ toys organized: to me, it always seems like plush animals multiply like rabbits, and video game controllers and console wires tangle like an old box of jewelry. While the kids don’t seem to mind all the mess that seems to be everyplace but the toy box, I know it’s unnerving for the parents, especially when a toy gets underfoot and either trips you or gets forgotten, and you have to search around under the bed, in the bookshelves, in the kitchen, outside, everywhere for that missing beloved toy because hey, the kid will not fall asleep without it.

The trials of being a parent: learning how to deal with the unreasonable requests of a child at one o’clock in the morning to find their small worn animal friend, which ends up being extracted either from the trash or the dog’s vice grip. How can you avoid all of these unfortunate late night requests?

Make the kids responsible for their own toys and their own organization. Teaching a kid how to be responsible for their playthings and to take good care of their dolls and stuffed animals is an important stepping stone to teaching adolescents how to care for their clothes, sports equipment, and shoes. A child who’s responsible for their toys is going to become a much more responsible and careful adult. Investing in a toy box and requiring a child to use it is a very smart investment.

Toy boxes come in many shapes and sizes, and sometimes, the best is just a large tupperware container that you can store under the bed. Or you can go for the classic handpainted wood design, which is always an attractive piece in a child’s bedroom and can double as seating or play surfaces for them and their friends.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/cosmic_bandita/3380855875

Decorate Your Home with…a Giant Teddy Bear?

Ritika Puri — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:59 +0000

Did you have a giant teddy bear as a kid? I had three, and I thought that they were the coolest ever. It was a sad day when I outgrew my teddy bears, and I couldn’t keep them in my room or closet. My mom insisted on getting rid of them since she wanted the garage for more useful things.

Last December, when I was still in college, I stumbled upon a giant teddy bear in the middle of our student apartment complex. A friend and I definitely stole it and kept it hostage for a good three days. It had a hole in it, so we repaired it for its owners. I wonder where that teddy bear went. I wonder if its owners are keeping it in their new, real world apartment.

Valentine’s day is coming up, and I’m sure that a giant teddy bear would be a pretty funny gift. A smaller teddy bear could be pretty cool too. Check out this site for some of the craziest giant stuffed animals that I’ve ever seen. When you’re ready to buy, check out giant teddy bears on Smarter.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/scazon/4207552952

Rocker Chairs on Sale at Walmart

colleen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:14:53 +0000

With the holidays quickly approaching, we need some help seating all of our guests and resting our legs from time to time! For that, I recommend saving money on quality products just like you always do, but buy a little for yourself, not just for your friends and family.

At Walmart.com, the special sales and clearances for the “for the home” section are going to keep you in the black this year, while buying presents for friends and for yourself. While they don’t discriminate, and group all of their clearance products (from children’s playsets to rocker chairs) in the same category, I recommend staying focused on your purchases to prevent the least superfluous shopping.

When shopping at Walmart.com, remember all of their special shipping sales. They have 97 cent super shipping on “for the home” purchases if you catch the timing right. Don’t slack on searching for the best deals–I recommend, of all Walmart.com’s clearance sales right now, the fold up rocker chairs, perfect for a child’s playroom or a college dorm room.

Check them out:

X Video Rocker Scoop in Black from Walmart.com: $30.00 (originally $39)

Newco Kid’s Rocker Chair from Walmart.com: $39.00 (originally $49)

Shop for more affordable rocker chairs at Smarter.com.

Sheer Curtain Covers for Summer

colleen — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:15:48 +0000

During the summer, you want to let that beautiful morning glow come in, but not too bright or too early (5:40am sunrise time? No thanks, mother nature. I may get up at 7:00am, but not a minute earlier!) I am too partial to the “den” set up, where window curtains are so thick and dark that the bedroom feels like a cave early in the morning, and near impossible to wake up in. So, by investing in a sheer window curtain, I’ve made my mornings a lot easier, now that there’s actual, natural sunlight to help me wake up and seize the day. Smarter.com helps you find the best deals on sheer window curtains in all types of lengths and covers to fit your needs.

Some top picks:

Sheer Linen Window Panel by West Elm: $29.00/ each. An Internet/Catalog sale price only, buying these window panels online saves you $10 a panel! Incredible!

Twisted Teen Curtains by PB Teen: $9-36.

On sale depending on color or size, these panels come in a variety of bright and cheery colors and are sold single panel. The cheapest ones are the Navy 40×63″ at $9.99, so if you’ve ever felt the urge for navy curtains here’s a chance to jump on a stellar steal!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more sheer curtains.

Children’s Furniture – Avery Storage Collection

evette — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:39:51 +0000

Is is my belief that when it comes to kids furnishings the most important feature is “organized chaos” details. Some children’s furniture looks like miniature versions of adult furniture, which I think is ridiculous. Why? Because they are not adults, but are children. So if it entails them folding their garments or discretely putting away their toys and socks into allotted slots, well…. get ready for disappointment. It’s not going to happen, unless you rule your home a la’ “Mommy Dearest” and enforce the Joan Crawford rule of child rearing.

I am a big fan of bins and open shelves when it comes too kiddos! Basically places you can quickly dump their piles of toys and clothes in that provide a semblance of organization but take literally seconds for them to “clean up”. Thus = ORGANIZED CHAOS. Get it?

I think the Avery Storage Collection fits the bill nicely. Painted in a bright, crisp white with traditional details like turned legs and scalloped trim. Versatile units let you create the perfect storage solution for your bedroom or playroom.

Price $79.00

If you are interested in shopping for the Avery Storage Collection – Click here!

Give the gift of Ho-Ho-Hope this year!

homegarden — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:53:46 +0000

As I sit here writing this blog, I feel silly, happy, tired and sentimental all at the same time! I gaze at my daughter across the room thinking back to the days when she was a baby. She’s moving out. Off to her own apartment at 20 years of age. As we talk, my eyes drift behind her to the hope chest that I bought her when she was just 5 years old. It was purchased for her with this exact moment in mind. Filled with trinkets and treasures of the past, it’s hers to pass on to her child someday. Inside, there’s a button taped to a photo of her first day of school. I popped it off of her coat when it didn’t fit anymore. The coat was donated to a child in need but the button and the memory are in that chest. Along with many other memories.

So back to this home and garden blog (Sorry! My mind drifted!). What is home all about to you? Should you ask me, It’s all about family and friends. What better gift can you give your loved ones than hope? A Hope Chest is a phenomenal and uniquely creative gift to give during this holiday season. Hand write (or print a note in a fancy font) on parchment paper a few ideas for the recipient to fill it with. Start with a memory of your own! Send it to a friend with a child (boys and girls need hope!). Start one for your child (it’s NEVER to late to have hope!) regardless of their age. Grandchildren, friends families, nieces, nephews the list goes on and on! Give the gift of hope this year!

Below are a few deals that I was able to find while searching the internet. Please comment with your ideas or feel free to email me! The best asset we all have is our minds (Some times, anyway! LOL!). Share some ideas with each other! After all, ‘Tis the season! Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays, everyone!

$99.99 at Toys-R-Us $160 at Crooked Acres Crafts

$509.00 at The Furniture Paradise

To shop for more discount furniture, click here.

Children’s Furniture – Firehouse Fire Truck Step Stool

evette — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:18:38 +0000

Tell you the truth the reason I was searching for a decent stepping stool is because my English Bulldog Buddha recently turned five and now that he is entering his middle age he can not pounce onto my high bed without hurting his fragile little hips!

Well my search lead me to this adorable find for all you parent folk. Designed to look just like a real fire truck, this firetruck stool will delight the wannabe firefighter in your life.

Finished in bright red with silk-screened fire truck detail, it features a lift-up top step to make storing toys easy. And it makes a great stool to help your little ones reach higher.

Fire Truck Step Stool – $29.00

To purchase or shop for the Fire Truck Step Stool, click here.

Artistic Light Fixtures: Hot Air Balloon Chandelier

evette — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:03:00 +0000

If you are in the market for a lighting option that doubles as a genuine piece of art than look no further than the Hot Air Balloon Chandelier by Just Too Cute.

As seen on Good Morning America and in magazines across the country, Teresa Thompson’s chandeliers, lamps and tuffets are works of art to be passed down from generation to generation. Each child’s lamp, chandelier and tuffet is created by hand with strict attention to detail and exquisite workmanship. Whimsical designs, soft colors and classic themes make this line of children’s lighting irresistible. With an adorable lamp or shining chandelier from Just Too Cute, your baby nursery or child’s bedroom will stand out from the rest!

If you are interested in reading more or finding out how to purchase the Hot Air Balloon Chandelier, click here.

Click here to shop or browse additional custom crafted chandeliers and lighting for children.

Sleepy Deal: Offi Kip Bed

homegarden — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:33:24 +0000

This OFFI Kip bed is perfect for a kid.Â It’s low to the ground and the rounded edges are a heck of a lot safer than the sharp edges of some beds. Ouch! The twin size is now $749 (was $899) and the full is $899 (was $999).