Our boys have shared a room since their crib days, something I will always cherish for them. Through their childhood, it has given them someone to share a funny last joke with at night or someone to build Legos with on the floor. In other moments, it has taught them how to work through conflict and how to respect one another’s differences and need for solitude–important people skills I know will follow them throughout life.
At age three and four, we moved both boys directly to a bunk bed to save space and give them more play area in their room. It was an adventurous place in their early years, one where they often suspended sheets to make forts and would spend long hours reading or playing together. But honestly, as one who loves tidy kid spaces, I’ve always missed the simplicity of the crib–the single sheet with their favorite snuggly blanket–a time when their beds felt so easy and clean.
In spite of years of making their own beds (a requirement each morning in our home), the boys have not yet mastered the bunk bed–I barely can! And washing their sheets and putting that fitted sheet on, well, that’s almost short of nightmare for all three of us. For years, they’ve slept without a top sheet, trying to minimize their bedding, and we’ve had dialogues like, “Liam, you didn’t make your bed yet. Please, go finish.” “Yes, I did!” Ugh. With their best efforts, their bunk beds never look fully made.
Since our move last year, I’ve been looking for ways to make both of the kids’ rooms more cozy and fun for their changing ages, but also easy to maintain and keep tidy. It’s a delicate balance between all of those things, but that’s a different topic. While I try not to overly focus on product here, I love finding and sharing beautiful, helpful things we use in our family and how we use them. Last month, we received Beddys bedding for the boys’ bunk and let me tell you, IT’S FANTASTIC! The entire bedding (flat sheet and comforter) is in one piece with two running zippers on each side along the seem. It goes on like a fitted sheet (you can see the underside of the top mattress in the images) and can be washed and dried (one at a time) right in the washer. Honestly, it’s a little pricey for children’s bedding, but the ease of use and tidy appeal is worth it in my opinion. The boys literally make their bed in under a minute now, and the best part for me–it actually looks made! They absolutely love how cozy the underside material is, and we chose a color that would easily transition with them over the years.
This summer, we plan to add a few wall shelves for their bedtime and daytime reading (since our boys do both), and hang a few new art prints and images of their adventures together to update their walls. Slowly, slowly each space is feeling a little more like home for all of us.
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I just moved our boys (3.5 & 18 months) into these same bunks and am so excited for their adventure that’s just beginning. And yes, I’m already tired of trying to figure out how to make these each morning (and it’s been 3 days!)! Maybe I’ll add these to a birthday or Christmas list. :)
That’s such a great idea, Megan. For any parent who longs for more (attainable) order in their home, they would be the best gift!
I was hoping you had once and for all solved the problem of the messy bunk bed but alas! I had looked into those Beddy’s last summer and just couldn’t swallow the price tag–especially for three. I ended up settling for the no top-sheet + an IKEA duvet that looks moderately okay when straightened out–unlike the old quilts which they never could make themselves and tuck in so they looked nice and crisp. Apparently crisp beds are not something my boys care an awful lot about :)
I would love to know more about their reading lights though. I had traditional clip lamps with nightlight bulbs in them but they put off way too much light but my middle son got to the point that he would rather die than go to sleep without his so I couldn’t take it away. When we moved though, the lamps *somehow* didn’t make it…..I’ve been looking for a different option that would give a more directed light to their books without disturbing their brothers who would rather be sleeping in an actually dark room.
Oh Cristina, I’m sorry. I really do often wish I had a Mary Poppins around during our daily cleaning periods. And believe me, I understand living on a tighter budget. Cheers to you for knowing your own limits and working creatively within them, and if it’s any consolation, my boys don’t always value a tidy bed in the same way I do either. I’m hoping it will grow with time. As for the clip lights, they’re from IKEA ($10, maybe?). I don’t always love the hanging wires visible (because of course the boys insisted on black over white), but they’re so helpful and my children love them. I hope this helps! x