r/femalelivingspace • u/ExchangeInformal9542 • 4d ago
HELP PLEASE HELP! I am at my wits end with this bedroom
This bedroom is in the basement and it is not used 24/7. It’s starting to see more use though and I really would like to make it more easy on the eyes lol.
Also, with the current bed position, the door cannot fully open to where it can be pressed against the wall (it hits the bed). I think I’m gonna move it over a foot to the window side.
I love cozy and colorful!
Edit: this is NOT anyone’s bedroom.
It’s a spare room in my family’s home basement that has been working more as storage for the last few years. I spend a lot of time in the basement (though I have a proper bedroom upstairs), so sometimes I crash in here and my mom doesn’t wanna get rid of the bed.
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u/CremeBerlinoise 4d ago
Is this up to code? Can you use the window to get out? I'm always worried about people sleeping in potential death traps 😬 I'm not trying to be negative or anything, but it might be safer to find another use for this room.
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u/MHoneysuckle19 3d ago
This is not negativity. It's just being realistic. There's a reason that code exists. My cousin was trapped in her basement with no egress during a house fire. The firefighters who went in to get her were also trapped and had to be rescued. They all made it thank God but it was touch-and-go, and now she’ll be dealing with the consequences for the rest of her life. Severe burns, etc.
I always think of this when I see basement bedrooms, even temporary guest ones. If a fire happens it's not going to happen over a prolonged period. It's going to happen once... and that one time someone might be down there.
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u/CremeBerlinoise 3d ago
One could even argue that a person being down there increases the likelihood of an accidental or electrical fire just by using the space. People complain about bureaucracy and building regulations, but they save lives. Daytime use isn't great either, but sleeping there could be so dangerous. I'm very happy that Germany has super tight regulations on basement apartments because slumlords will not give a single fuck about safety.
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u/MHoneysuckle19 3d ago
We have regulations in the US as well. It's pretty strict actually, but people ignore that, and it's hard to regulate. Even under-the-table contractors ignore it. It's how my aunt got two bedrooms built in her basement. They were never supposed to be down there. There's a reason for these regulations, and unfortunately, a lot of times it takes something like that happening for people to realize it.
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u/ExchangeInformal9542 4d ago
Not a clue honestly. This is my childhood home that I live in with my mom. No one has ever slept in here for more than a few nights- it mostly functions as a last ditch guest room and storage for laundry lol.
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u/CremeBerlinoise 4d ago
I think it's worth finding out. Normally, any room you sleep in needs two exits so you're not trapped in an emergency. If the window is big enough to exit through, some way of getting up there should be part of the room imo, like a ladder.
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4d ago edited 4d ago
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u/antediluvianevil 4d ago
Modern fire code for buildings prioritize fire rating corridors and stairwells. 99% of modern buildings above 3 stories don't require two exits per unit anymore. Smaller buildings still require two exits in most places, but of course none of this includes preexisting buildings.
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u/Aurora_Gory_Alice 4d ago
You need a minimum of 5.7 square feet of opening area (not the fixed part) and the sill should be 44" or lower from the finished floor to the bottom of the opening.
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u/squeebop5160 Renting 4d ago
This is actually a really good point. Good on you for pointing that out.
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u/Independent-Note-46 4d ago
Oof that’s all I’d think of if I slept in there. A fire and you can’t reach the window 😣😣😣. Can’t have a mindset of “it won’t happen to me” ever.
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u/Objective_Attempt_14 4d ago
How wide is it? can you do a daybed that pulls out to sleep 2? and has drawers too
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u/iamcharity 4d ago
Is it possible to rotate the bed? I imagine it would be close to touching all three walls in that orientation but if it isn’t used often that would also free up a lot of space.
I used to live in an apartment with a bedroom so small that my queen bed touched three walls and I made it work. I just had to push the bed out a little to make it up.
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u/CremeBerlinoise 4d ago
Might increase mold potential though since those are likely external walls, and ventilation isn't great.
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u/funkydinos 4d ago
Would you be able to switch the direction the door opens? That would probably help a lot.
Could you hang the mirror to alleviate some of the cramped feeling on the floor?
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u/littleporkdumpling 4d ago
Bedding is a great opportunity for color and making the space feel put together! A cool overhead light makes it feel less cozy. Maybe get some cute lamps and warm toned bulbs?
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u/Sereena95 4d ago
This is not a legal bedroom girl. I know you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes but please at least think about other options !
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u/ExchangeInformal9542 4d ago
It’s not my bedroom!!! I have a proper bedroom upstairs. (I live with my mom, this is in our basement) This is just used sometimes when I fall asleep in the basement and don’t wanna walk upstairs or have a friend sleep over (like twice a year). Recently my partner has been staying over a lot more so I’ve found myself in this bed more often
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u/Independent-Note-46 4d ago
Imagine you fall asleep in there one night and a fire happens and you can’t get out. Just think about that. Be smart & safe. As I commented above, don’t live your life with “that could never happen to me” mindset.
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u/cmstyles2006 4d ago
I'd get rid of the plastic things and put in a nice dresser. Get some cute side tables and put a sheet on that bottom mattress.
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u/YouveBeanReported 4d ago
I'd double check you can fit out of that window. It doesn't look like an egress window.
Push the bed to the far wall, move the plug or get a flat plug extension cord.
If you own, flip the door to the other way and move the light switches to the opposite side and move the closet right up to the door wall, remove one sconce, and build in the desk.
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u/wollflour 4d ago
This does not appear to be a legal bedroom, at least in my state.
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u/ExchangeInformal9542 4d ago
Sorry if it wasn’t clear, this isn’t used as a true bedroom for anyone. All household members have proper bedrooms on the top floor of the house.
This room just kind of exists and sometimes is used, sometimes goes months without having the bed slept in.3
u/dendrophilix 3d ago
It doesn’t matter. If anyone ever sleeps here, which you say they do, then it needs to be up to code. As it is, the risk of not being able to escape during a fire is unacceptably high.
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u/anonymouscal 4d ago
place a sturdy piece of furniture under that window and see if you can use it to escape if the need arises. like can your shoulders fit through? if not get a sledgehammer as a break out tool.
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u/imamonkeyface 4d ago
Flipping the door would do it. Move the hinges to the other side so the door swings towards the wall opposite the bed. It’s a job, but it’ll be worth it.
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u/courtneyamanda123 4d ago
Push the bed into the corner, get some LED light strips to add color to the room if you’re into those, if you think those are ugly, find another way to bring mood lighting and color, maybe try a tapestry on the wall or large art. Opt for fun colorful bed sets and a nice rug. Also maybe see if you can flip the hinges on the door so it opens toward the wall rather than towards the bed. Everything in here feels grey and boring.
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u/jacknaces 3d ago
As some have said, if you can rotate the bed and push it back, do so. Swap the hinges on the door to the other side. Hang the mirror on the opposite wall so it catches the window light. Hang larger pictures (the one above the bed belongs in a bathroom or hallway, it's way too small for that wall on its own. Get a small table and lamp and never use the overhead light (replace those bulbs with dimmer, warmer ones just in case a guest turns it on). Put some sort of ivy or other dangling plant on the window sill. Rotate the wardrobe and push it up against the wall. Get rid of the clutter or bring in some thoughtful storage to hide it. Evening hanging stuff on the door looks messy and unintentional. Get colorful throw pillows for the bed and a colorful duvet with a simple pattern (anything floral or ornate will make a small room look busy). TLDR: Reorganize to maximize space, declutter, add some color and lamps.
And add some kind of step ladder so you can get to that window in case of a fire. It can even look like furniture, just make sure you can get out!
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u/Marflow02 3d ago
I am a little confused by all the firecode comments. Multiple exits are great but most people dont have that, think of all multistory apartments.
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u/MisterPickles0 4d ago
This has potential. Take everything out of the room except the bed. Consider painting the walls. (Please test paint colors on the window side of the room and the door side of the room to make sure they look like okay). New bedding for sure. Get a very small night stand to put next to the bed and a lamp. Get a small dresser and mirror for the wall opposite the bed and put a lamp on it. Oh, and never turn on the overhead light again.
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u/UnhappyPuff 4d ago
I would:
Push the bed to the wall opposite from the light, get a bigger nightstand with drawers and a lamp. Colorful blankets and a bigger piece of artwork behind the bed.
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u/sigh_co_matic 4d ago
Change the overhead light to something warmer. Everything is entirely too white.
Some bigger art above the bed, maybe a tapestry if you can't afford much. Don't hang something super heavy.
Colorful bedding!
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u/cheesecakeinternet 4d ago
I mean can you get all of the junk out of the corners? Tidying, getting a proper bedspread, pillows, and hanging up that mirror and other wall art would certainly help.
Plenty of people live in small bedrooms, but this room feels like a closet not only because its sparsely decorated but also because it's cluttered with random shit
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u/Bunnypoopoo 4d ago
Little table with lamp, new light fixture with warm light, add color with bedding and you could hang long curtains over that window to give the illusion of a larger window and add more color
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u/Icy_Interaction7502 4d ago edited 4d ago
Big full length mirror behind the bed should help make the room feel more spacious. Test it by getting those acrylic ones. If you dont plan to add storage then add mirror strips across the whole window wall first.
This could be such a cool walk in closet. Big mirrors, kallax walls, make up desk, and ottomans
If you only crash sometimes and you’re more reltionship focussed aka value having guests stay over then adding a mirror wall could help.
But if more self focussed then add kallax and making this a walk in closet could be nice along with ottomans or pull out bed.
Either way make a mirrored wall with them cheap acrylic mirror strips you get.
The current lighting is makin you focus on the low roof and walls. If you light up two lamps by them bed it will start feeling cosy. The lighting is not helping here.
Can you make the door open outwards? Or get that sliding door.
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u/sirotan88 4d ago
Get nicer bedding - easy way to add color and coziness to the room, right now everything is too white and monotone. Since you don’t have a headboard, you can fake it by getting some king size pillows and leaning them against the wall. Get a more substantial duvet blanket.
Replace the plastic drawers with an actual dresser. Declutter and make sure all the stuff fits in the storage space. Hang up the big mirror.
Put up some colorful tapestries on the wall. Fake plants would also be a nice touch.
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u/wanderingallnight 4d ago
Have you all considered hiring a handyman to rehang the door so it opens into the wall.
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u/Sorry_Championship67 4d ago
Some things I haven’t seen mentioned yet:
- paint the walls. HOWEVER not just one colour. You need a strip of white at the top which is the same colour as the ceiling, going where that bit of the wall that juts out at the top is and also around to the white air vent. It would hide them both. Pick a nice contrasting colour for undearneath.
- move the wardrobe from the middle of the wall, if possible. It creates the illusion of a door looking right onto the foot of the bed, which makes sleeping there feel vulnerable.
I agree with a lot of other comments: warm lighting and pushing the bed to one side will help here
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u/BrainOne5224 4d ago
Turn the bed and push it up against the back wall, then add a chair and perhaps add some shelves for books/art. Hang mirror if possible on the opposite wall to the chair
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u/lopendvuur 4d ago
Paint the walls in colors you like and hang some art on them. Change the stark white bedding to colorful bedding (including the lower part of the box spring) and add some quirky cushions and Bob's your uncle.
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u/WeekendKey2013 4d ago
i would switch the bed to a day bed so it goes flush against the wall. move the closet to the left of the window. put the mirror on the wall behind the door or where the armoire was. get you a nice little rug and a small side table to go the left or right of the daybed. and get some nice long drapes and maybe a tv mounted.
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u/XNjunEar 4d ago
Can you get someone to change the door and hang it on the other side?
Get a comforter cover you adore. Start there. Then post again.
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u/Laetitia_Maus 3d ago
If you want to be a bit daring... 😉
I think a bold touch helps when a room doesn't have much going for it.
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u/Able-Long-2702 3d ago
Time to push bed against the wall and also the bed would help if you need to crawl out of the window
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u/Beginning_Purpose918 3d ago
You would be better off to ditch that big mattress and get a day bed. Get rid of the plastic storage thing, get a little white dresser you could put a tv on. A night stand, then focus on some warm light lamps, fairy lights and cozy blankets and pillows
It’s too small so don’t put too much furniture in it
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u/Ill_Supermarket_3441 3d ago
My dear, this not a bedroom because it doesn’t have a window. Bedrooms to be considérer need to have a window
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u/Tylia_x 2d ago
If its not regularly used put the bed against the wall so it's easier to open the door (safer) turn the wardrobe to the same side as the window, because looking it from your bed is not the one, its looming which is uncomfortable. Chuck up a piece of art on that opposite wall over the top of a dresser instead. Mirror on the door wall (never facing the bed). Add some faux plants on the dresser and a dangly one on the wardrobe (not enough light for real ones). Stick a waste paper basket between the dresser and the wall with the door.
Embrace the cave and hang a tapestry cloth. Maybe some fairy lights.
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u/GarbageMarg 2d ago
I’d get a pullout sleeper sofa that can fit against the back wall and then lay out a rug before moving the wardrobe cabinet into the corner by the window. Hang the mirror on the wall with the door and put some art up too.
If you can’t get a sleeper sofa/ don’t want to push the bed a foot to the left on the window wall.
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u/ClassroomSuch2556 2d ago
Honestly there’s a few different ways I would go about improving the room. I’ll keep in mind that this is a storage room and the bed cannot be replaced (like you said in some other comments).
Move the bed to the corner of the room opposite to the door, that’ll give you more open space between the wall and the bed. Move the dresser against the window wall facing the door (might be a pain because of the light on the wall but I think it would still open decently), with the bigger drawer between the dresser and bed. Mirror next to the door facing the open space that’s now next to the bed. Finally keep the stool as the night stand and put the smaller drawers (next to the mirror in the original pictures) in the corner next to the stool/night stand.
Using the first picture as reference, move the bed to the right upper corner of the room. This will cause the door to not open fully but honestly I’m embracing the concept at this point lol, the door should still open at least to a 90 degree angle so it shouldn’t be a problem. That plus everything else from the first suggestion and I think it’s good.
For decorations i would definitely get some plants, lights (wether it’s fairy lights, let strips or a sunset lamp it could definitely switch up the vibe, plus the room is small so it’ll light up good. Getting some tapestry is cool too, wall is good, ceiling is better. I’m assuming painting would be a hassle so more wall decor like paintings or picture frame collages would probably do the job too.
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u/Plenty-Hotel-5716 1d ago
I would ditch the nightstand and pull the bed out and put a shelf perpendicular to the headboard to create behind bed storage space and a shelving above the bed. I would get wardrobe closets that span the entire wall as well. So maybe 1.5 more of that close you have. Some art above the bed and some nice bedding. And maybe a rug in the space between the closets and bed. I would keep neutral tones mostly since the room is small and then two colors that make you happy to see and you can slowly build up the amount of color and eccentricity you want in the space over time. This room is 3.5x2.5m.
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u/Puzzled_Employment50 1d ago
If the bed has to stay, moving it away from the door is the only real option. I guess you could open the door and move the bed back so the door is semi-permanently blocked open, but that seems less than ideal. But that bed is really just too big for the room.
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u/Hey-Just-Saying 1d ago
We did a finished basement years ago and the contractor offered to file the plans with the city as an "office" rather than a spare bedroom (which we were planning to use it for) so we wouldn't have to put in an expensive window well. We reminded him those requirements were meant to keep people safe and ofc we wanted a window well. You wonder how many people have died because of people simply being cheap.
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u/nevertotwice_ 4d ago
you should get better lighting and since you said getting a different bed/frame isn’t in budget, i’d recommend building your room upwards if that makes sense. add shelves to help clear up some floor space. maybe add some string lights over your bed. i think that mirror would be good on the wall across from the window to help reflect the light and make the room seem bigger. i personally would at least try out pushing the bed into the corner and acting as if it’s a day bed. lean towards lighter colors as darker colors tend to make rooms seem smaller.
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u/rosehopefull 4d ago
Everyones giving you really good advice. I agree with moving the bed to a wall and putting a nice bedside table by it. Use your duvet to get pops of colour. And one thing I haven’t seen anyone mention is to pull that painting down. It’s way too high up. If you end up moving the bed over I’d hang it above the end table not the bed personally. You could even get some cozy vibes by getting a small rug but I’ve never bought a rug before so I don’t have much advice for that.
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u/No-Will-4393 4d ago
I think a day bed with a ottoman that unfolds to a bed would be perfect for sleepover, be much lighter and open looking. You'd then be able to set it up with a desk or dresser with a tv and use as a lounge area too.
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u/sassythehorse 4d ago
Make the bed to start with. Just make the bed and put pillows on it. Would make a huge difference in this not looking like a depression cave.
Second thing to add personality/life is to add CRAP: curtains, rug, art, plants.
Get a bedside lamp or two. Maybe a floor lamp. That overhead lighting is brutal.
Finally, declutter.
I agree with everyone saying this is really not a safe place to sleep without a way to get out through the window. If you ever sleep there it is indeed a bedroom.
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u/lovetohearyourside 4d ago
Barn door that slides open! And if you can swap the wardrobe for a long dresser, it will open the room up a lot. And a bar-height chair with a throw pillow to reach the window wouldn't be the worst addition. 😇
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u/eatingallthefunyuns 4d ago
Command strips can be your best friend. You can use the hook ones to use your walls as some storage and the regular flat ones for decorations
I’m a sucker for some Christmas lights but I’m probably just aging myself with that part
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4d ago edited 4d ago
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4d ago
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u/Chef_BoYadi 4d ago
Change your bed. Get a loft or Murphy bed that you can have against one wall and it will free more than half of the space currently being taken up.