For the last 3.5 years we lived in a one-bedroom apartment on Nob Hill in San Francisco. We had both of our babies there and we lived happily in our cozy little apartment. While I am a big believer in living in small, edited spaces we probably would have moved out a little sooner if it weren’t for the mountain of medical bills we had last year. Our closet set up worked great but of course I’d rather have a sun drenched nursery. 🙂
This closet has had a few transformations. First it just had a crib. Then we built a toddler bed (pictures here.) And finally we turned it into a crib and toddler bunk bed.
The crib was basically an Ikea Hack. I bought a crib used off Craigslist and then asked a woodworker friend (Jared Rusten) to help me come up with something. He secured the bed like a large shelf. The front of the crib lifts up and rolls over the top so you can take the baby in and out. We made sure the mattresses fit snugly. Of course there are all kinds of regulations when it comes to babies sleeping situations–so do so at your own risk!
Crib and Toddler Bed Custom made / Striped bedding from Ikea / Crib Quilt was handmade with Japanese fabric from Purl Soho / Light fixture from Alameda Flea Market (but they sell one like here at Target.) It’s Beautiful Here Coat Rack by Heath Nash.
abby
February 15, 2011
this "bedroom" is such a great inspiration! we may have two babies in the same room someday soon and it makes me squeal…but now you have made me feel like it might be totally do-able. personal questions – how did you sleep train them when they're sharing a room? were there any sleeping struggles?
you have the greatest blog by the way! so excited to follow you and your sister on your adventures in france.
Tuesday
February 15, 2011
I adore that little bedroom, what a super idea.
annabelvita
February 15, 2011
amazing, love how this looks. probably better for your back than a normal crib anyway! Was Moses jealous to be on the bottom? What happened to it when you left?
Yolanda @ Miss Refashionista
February 15, 2011
I'm with you on the small space living. I like the challenge of making use of every single corner of your house. We (hubs, daughter and I) currently live in a one bedroom, the size of a studio and have been quite comfortable UNTIL, my husband got custody of his 2 children from a previous marriage.
We are now moving into a real sized home and though I like to decorate, I truly don't know what to do with so much space. 🙂
Rachie @ A Chi Chi Affair
February 15, 2011
The coat rack is the coolest! Agree this is great inspiration! xo
The Family That Plays Together
February 15, 2011
Love, Love, Love!
I think this is just so cool! I loved it when it was just Moses and I love it even more as a bunker. I love that you can adapt and adjust a small space and find that closeness is what makes you feel rich.
Sally
February 15, 2011
Awwww this room is beyond cute!!! LOVE IT!
Anonymous
February 15, 2011
I've always loved the closet "bedroom" Seeing the transformations are terrific! Can you tell us where you got the plushie striped "snake" that your sun is holding in that last image?! And please, please share images of your new space in France!!!
Ellie
Michelle
February 15, 2011
Wow, beautiful and thoughtful design!
Allison {Live Love Small}
February 15, 2011
love everything about your kiddos room!
Kacy
February 15, 2011
I love their little chamber. Of Secrets.
Anonymous
February 15, 2011
I love how you came up with this solution. This and your toy posts are especially inspiring to growing families in small spaces! Does this darling room remain like that today, or did you need to remove the crib before you moved?
Jenna Robert
February 15, 2011
That is the cutest closet room ever. They'll love to look back on these when they are all grown up.
Sugar
February 15, 2011
So cute. And inspirational!
Colleen
February 15, 2011
I live in what I jokingly call "the world's largest walk-in closet" and my boys will be sharing the "den"– a 6×6 foot room off of our dining room. I love hearing that other kids are in cozy, but functional spaces as well (in fact, you inspired me to blog about my space!), so thank you!
hairyshoefairy
February 15, 2011
What a brilliant idea putting the crib up high so it become a bunk bed of sorts! It never would have occurred to me.
Heather
February 15, 2011
OMG! You have just knocked out all of the objections about moving back to San Francisco! We have a daughter and want one more and our place in Vegas is huge and our prospective homes in SF are about 1/3 the size! Downsizing seems daunting…but your kids room looks amazing! Hooray. Thanks for the inspiration and giving me a leg to stand on in this battle of the cities:) SO CUTE!
Amanda Ann
February 15, 2011
My first time commenting…I love the complimentary combination of the purple and the yellow/orange. And the polka dots. And your dress. (Where did you get it?)
lynninlove
February 15, 2011
simply amazing!
Melanie
February 15, 2011
I came over to see if you were getting crazy angry comments about endangering your children and to say that this is utterly genius. I wouldn't mind living in a closet if this is what it looked like.
agirlandaboy
February 15, 2011
So genius. Maybe we don't have to move for #2 after all!
Anonymous
February 16, 2011
Your closet is lovely.
I just have a few questions about the crib: are you worried about him climbing out of it at any point. The only thing that makes me nervous about this setup is that that looks like a looooong drop to a hard floor.
Also, if it opens like a garage door, can the baby push out on it and have it open or is it latched from the outside somehow?
Manhattan Hotels
February 16, 2011
I love this amazing beautiful kid's room, its very nice and used design , its fantastic. very nice inspiring post.
Unikuu
February 16, 2011
greeting from icy finland.amazing idea!
valerie
February 16, 2011
it is my first time seeing a bed like this and im very inspired. 🙂
Leanda
February 16, 2011
Absolutely incredible and so resourceful of you. We joked about putting our baby in the storage room… I shall never again complain about our small apartment 🙂
Jill
February 16, 2011
Genius. I love the simple style and all of the design elements. You are so inspiring and thank you for sharing all of the details.
Kayt
February 16, 2011
I have to agree with Anonymous. I think this is so inspiring and so pretty, but how is Moses about climbing? My guy was hurling himself out of his crib by eighteen months, I would have gone nuts with worry about the drop being so far. Did you leave a mat on the floor at night? I love the look of the space, and I think it's genius!
college bedding
February 21, 2011
It's always a pleasure reading your articles. Thank you for sharing such relevant topic with us
A Merry Mishap
February 21, 2011
Silly question but I was wondering if you could tell me where the backpack is from?
~SarahInParis
February 21, 2011
Fabulous use of space! And your little kiddies look snug as bugs in rugs.
This Girl loves to Talk
February 21, 2011
my 3 older girls share a room and we are thinking about putting our 18month old in with them. Thanks for showing us that it is no abuse to put kids together in small spaces 🙂 The amount of people who think I am crazy for squishing them all in.. I love it when I see families in similar situations. And the lady who asked about sleep training, sometimes my girls go to sleep fine, but other times they play up, so we have staggered bedtimes at our place 🙂
Mrsink
February 25, 2011
That room makes me think I could do a one bedroom apartment with our two boys…SO genius and adorable!
Erin
March 4, 2011
So awesome… wow. Love the bunk crib! I imagine when Moses outgrows the crib you could take the side off and have the kids trade places? Super cool.
Anonymous
March 5, 2011
The only way I've seen a crib "bunk bed" done is when the top crib is completely enclosed, with the latch at the bottom. This is for safety reasons, I'm assuming. Your baby is looking pretty big…and IKEA cribs aren't that tall to begin with. He'll be able to crawl out of his crib soon, and then what? A 5 foot drop to the floor? SCARY.
I know you guys are working with what you've got, but this really isn't safe at all. And its not safe to have babies/children in a closet either. There is no point of egress (way to escape in case of a fire).
And there is little airflow, which increases the risk of SIDS a LOT. (I read a study that showed simply having a fan on in the room decreased the risk by 75%)
I'm just having a hard time seeing all these kre-8-iv makeovers, when safety is seemingly put below style.
kasey
March 7, 2011
tell anonymous thank you for her concern…but life is life and your room is perfect for the space you have.
bravo.
kasey
angie
March 11, 2011
Wow this is really inspiring. We may find ourselves downsizing, at least for a few years, very soon. I like to think we can make it work for the time it has to and this is very helpful. It looks great!
Christine
May 31, 2011
I love that red backpack! I’ve been hunting out a simple cute toddler backpack for a very long time. Where did you get it?
carpet cleaning
June 9, 2011
This blog is amazing, so many practical tips and advices are given here. And with such positive attitude.
carpet cleaning
MixAndChic.Com
June 9, 2011
I love, love , love this kid’s room. It’s modern, fresh, original very inviting. Your newest follower!
Beautiful blog, by the way! Adding your blog to my daily reads now!
Jessie
The Lil Bee
June 10, 2011
This is incredible–I LOVE the bunk bed idea! These are all things I’ll have to think of once Devon graduates to a toddler bed, since she and her sister share the nursery. Your boys are so sweet, Jordan!
Office Cleaning London
June 14, 2011
Awesome pictures. Every kids dream – a colourful playground at home 🙂