For those of us who probably can’t afford to buy that large Irvine SFR when the time comes; we have to plan on using every square feet available. Think functionability (Ikea) over esthetics (Restoration Hardware). However that doesn’t mean we should go without some of the luxuries that come possible in larger homes. The solution I have come up with is to design a multi-purpose bedroom. I’ll share my ideas and I would like to hear some of yours.
Challenge: The challenge is to try to incorporate as many functions in the same room as possible. The room dimension is a standard secondary bedroom (17’ x 14’). It has a standard closet with double sliding/mirror doors with one window.
Here is what I am able to come up with…
#1
Den/Home Office: This would be the main purpose of the room: a C-shape executive desk with file drawers. On one side/table top is the, fax/laser printer/scanner multi-use machine, hooked up to the laptop on the front table side. Wife’s desktop will be on the third table top. One computer chair and two standard chairs on the opposite side. Bookshelves are on the adjacent wall side by side.
#2
Guest Bed-Room: This would be the secondary use of the bedroom. A Costco fold down futon couch/bed combo in the corner. As an office, the futon would be folded up as a seating sofa; as a bed it would be folded down and an air mattress can be used on top. Half of the closet would be used for guests.
#3
Secondary Living Room: From the futon, a guest can view a 52” LCD TV mounted on the opposite wall, above the desk. The futon has two movable cubed ottomans; used as a coffee table and storage bins. The DVD player and a Playstation would be mounted somewhere in a side-table next to the futon.
#4
Home Movie Theater: Also from the futon, the family can watch movies from a pull down/ceiling mounted projector screen. The screen would be mounted, so that when it is pulled down it would be conceal the LCD TV. A projector would be mounted opposite the screen, above the futon. Surround system speakers mounted in room and sub-woofer under desk. The screen could also be used for business presentations. Inputs from the projector will be split between the DVD player and the laptop.
#5
Sitting Room/Reading Room: The third function of the futon can be used as a lounging chair. Good for reading by myself. When hanging out with the wife; we can both use the standard chair with the cubed ottoman as a table; great for reading the papers while sipping our café mochas.
#6
Music/Recording Studio: The other half of the closet can be converted to shelving for a miniature recording studio. A small keyboard on the bottom shelf; a mixer and turntables; networked to it’s own desktop.
#7
Hobby Room: The wife wants me to throw in a optional folding table for when she does scrapbooking.
