The luxury of space isn’t something we all have, especially when you’ve got kids. But there are super fun ways to save space and encourage playtime with the furniture you choose. Let’s look at:

• The benefits of high sleeper beds for box rooms
• Playtime ideas using bed frames
• Other ways to save space

Box rooms don’t need to be boring, let’s get them ready for games instead…

The benefits of high sleeper beds for box rooms

Children’s rooms aren’t easy to organise and decorate. As well as their bed frame, they have loads of toys, bits and bobs and clothes that they grow out of far too fast. You have to be crafty and maximise on the space available so that it doesn’t stay a constant mess, and that where cool beds for kids come into play.

There are loads of options out there for kids beds which incorporate playtime:

• Princess beds with canopies and castle bedside tables like these
• Beds which double up as playhouses such as this one
• The classic car bed so they can drive into sleep

But the most versatile bed frame is the high sleeper bed.

What is a high sleeper bed?

A high sleeper is a bed that’s raised off the floor and makes the most of the space that would normally be above the bed. You also gain extra space underneath the bed which you can use for any number of things:

1. A high sleeper with desk option is a useful one for older kids – they can keep all their school work organised and out of the mess.
2. A high sleeper with a sofa bed is a good option if sleepovers are on the cards – you’ll be well-prepared with a spare bed and the rest of the time there will be a comfy seat in its place.
3. A high sleeper with storage underneath is a good all-in-one option for really small rooms – the shelves, drawers and cubby holes can keep all their clothes and toys stored away easily.

Playtime ideas using bed frames

Some high sleeper beds come with nothing put in the space underneath so you can create the area your kids need and want. You can customise the bare frames to include, storage or lights, or use it as a play area.

Here are some fun things you can do and play with in the under-the-bed space.

Make a den

Dens are amazing, even when they’re just blankets draped over a table or chairs. Yes, they may suffer from unstable structures and flappy walls, but that never mattered – even when they fell and you were buried under Mount Planket (pillow-blanket hill for those not in the know). So, having a tall completely closed and supported den could be an upgrade. Why not put up some curtains or sheets with your kid’s favourite characters on and throw a couple of bean bags in there for a cosy nook for their immersive adventures?

Hide the mess

For those who like to spread the game across the room, it may be better to use the space to keep everything tidy. Sure, they can lay it all out and share the fun all around, but having curtains, or something to hide the mess under the bed and out of sight while they’re calming down will do wonders for their routine.

Make a dressing room

For kids who love dressing up and looking fun and fancy, why not add some hanging space, a floor-length mirror and an accessory table to make a walk-in wardrobe?

Do a DIY library

If you’ve got a bookworm in your midst, put some shelves up under there so they can store all their books. Throw in a super-comfy seat, some pillows and a blanket or two as well as some reading-friendly lighting, and they can while away the hours.

Make it a gaming getaway

Fed up of them using the big TV for games and leaving cables and controllers everywhere? Why not get a smaller TV and a comfy chair then turn their under the bed into gaming heaven? You could even level it up with a chair bed they can use for sleepovers.

Other ways to save space

Young kids often get stuck with the box room, but they have as much if not more stuff than adults do, so finding kid and play-friendly storage and space savers are important.

As we’ve already said, a high sleeper bed will maximise the use of space above and underneath the bed, but there are other things you can do to make the most of the box room.

For example, if you’re going for built-in wardrobes and doors, consider leaving some space for a small desk. That way they have a designated space for homework and computer time.

Another thing you could do it put rails and hangers above the bed or on the back of any doors so they can hang up their bags, coats and kits instead of leaving them on the floor.

Multi-use furniture is a good option too – a chair that’s got storage or a wardrobe with drawers.

There are also things you can do to minimise the look of the mess – there are some good ideas here.

At the end of the day, a box room is about maximising on the space you have. If you don’t need a wardrobe AND a chest of drawers, combine them or just choose one. If you have tall ceilings, get a high sleeper bed and create a unique space underneath. There’s plenty you can do, just get creative and make it fun!