My Lil’ B is almost 3 years old (Jan 4th) and she’s still sleeping in her baby crib. This is the same (out of date and recalled) baby crib that her brother used over 8 years ago. She hasn’t ever tried to escape (climb out) from the crib so I’ve never pushed for converting the crib to a toddler bed. (That plus I secretly want her to remain a baby because I refuse to accept that she’s almost 3!!)
Yesterday while the kids played I decided it was time to clean and organize her room. I’m dying to remodel her room but I have a few limitations:
1. Space – her room is not very large and it’s also our guest bedroom. In addition to her crib, dresser, and bookshelf we also have a futon for when guests (usually one of the sets of grandparents) stay the night. We only have 3 rooms in this house so there is no official guest room.
2. Guest bed – the guest bed must stay in her room because there isn’t another room to move it to. In addition the guest bed must hold two adults so a twin bed won’t cut it either.
Here is what the room looked like before I started the clean and organize…excuse the mess!
What this picture doesn’t show you is all the boxes that are stored underneath her crib. What you can barely see here is the purple bucket full of stuffed animals. In the corner behind that are even more toys – stuffed away out of sight.
Here you can see our collection of books, most of which were acquired from her brother because I save EVERYTHING!
Our guest bed that gets used about once a month (maybe). Not really the most comfortable of guests beds but space is really limited in the kids rooms.
Again, another hand-me-down from her brother. The changing table & dresser combination holds about half of her clothes. We won’t even show you the closet because it’s a disaster that I don’t even plan on attacking this round.
Inspiration! I only have 2 key elements in the remodel that have inspired me. The first is the bedding that I found at beyondbedding.com. They were kind enough to send me a 4-piece twin bedding set in the Pink and Brown Modern Dots. The set includes the comforter, one pillow sham, a bed skirt, and a window valence.
The second inspiration is more of a “PIN-spiration” from Pinterest. Since her crib is 8 years old and has been recalled I can’t do anything with it. I could put it out at a yard sale but my heart just wouldn’t feel right giving it to a family when I know it’s been recalled. The eco-junkie in me can’t stand to trash it so I’d rather find a reuse for it…even if it takes up valuable space in an already tiny room.
Crib turned children’s art table.
Seriously…this is just such a cute idea! I even have some chalkboard paint left over to paint the table top. All I need to get is a few small tot sized chairs and some accessories.
I have lots of dreams of what her room could look like but with the space we have (and my lack of a carpenter who could build my dream loft) I’ve decided to work with what we have for now. I’m almost finished with the remodel but you’ll have to wait until it’s completed before I share the after pictures with you.
What are the biggest limitations that you face with your children’s rooms? Is there ever enough space for all of their toys?
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That is the cutest desk ever! Totally doing that with the crib when Liam outgrows it… For myself.
I know….that is the only reason I kept the crib this time!
Calley recently posted..Toddler Room Remodel – Before
Have you considered a twin bed with trundlee for her room? My sister has a very small guest room and it works great. Her trundle actually lifts up to bed height when in use. Love the desk idea too!
Jessica, that is one of our ideas but I’m still not sure how well 2 grown adults would fit when the grandparents come to visit. Then where would she sleep? A bunk would be another idea but she’s not even 3 yet. Not sure I want her up that high. Oh the decisions.
Calley recently posted..Toddler Room Remodel – Before
Our biggest limitation is fitting 3 beds into 1 room. Currently we have two twin beds (which we can bunk later), a crib, and a dresser in the room. But, there was only one way to get everything to fit really. We plan on all three kids sharing a room for a while (so we can keep our guest room), so I am looking forward to the day we think it is safe to bunk the beds again.
I can’t even imagine fitting 3 beds into any of our rooms (unless they took over the master). I love my guests but they don’t visit ‘that’ often. Wow…three?
Calley recently posted..Toddler Room Remodel – Before