Design Question

My husband has two children (12 and 15) from his previous marriage. When my stepchildren come to stay for the weekend, one sleeps on the sofa downstairs in the family room and the younger one sleeps in the guest room on the main floor. It’s not a good arrangement. I would like to do something about it but don’t really know what would be best. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can create a space that will work better for both the kids and us?

Design Answer

Even though it might be “just for the weekend,” it is difficult for children to belong essentially to two separate households. It can be disorienting, uncomfortable or a little strange. You do, however, have two things working in your favor – you have a second bedroom and you have a family room. With these two components, there are several things you can do, any one of which will help you create a permanent place in your home for your stepchildren that will be accommodating, welcoming and most of all theirs.

The first thing for you to consider is eliminating the guest bedroom and renaming it “the boys” room. When your stepchildren come to stay with you for the weekend, they should plan on sharing. Putting them in the same room rather than having them sleep in two separate places will perhaps make dealing with a second household a bit easier.

Take the opportunity to do this redecorating project as a “team.” When converting your guest room into your stepsons’ room, don’t do it without them. Let them choose the color for the walls. When it comes time to accessorize the room, take them shopping; let them help you select the bedding, curtains, area rug, etc. 

Measure the room to see how much actual space you will have to work with. What teenager or young boy doesn’t like a bunk bed? If they will be the only ones using it on a regular basis, bunks beds would be a good option, especially if it is a smaller sized room. Should you do have need of a guest room and there is space for twin beds they would a better choice in terms of functioning as the boys’ room when they are there and as a guest room when they are not. Twin beds would also allow you to establish definitive areas for each child – you could dress the bed in complementary bedding rather than matching bedding, further distinguishing each boy’s “place” in the room.

In the family room, if there are already bookshelves or some type of storage unit, rearrange the shelves so that your stepsons can store some of their belongings such as movies, games, etc. If there is room in the bedroom, consider adding a bookcase or cubby storage to encourage them to leave some of their possessions so that they don’t have to tote these types of things back and forth between houses. It will also help make it homier and more welcoming.